Sensory profile of a model energy drink with varying levels of functional ingredients-caffeine, ginseng, and taurine.

Energy drinks have increased in popularity in recent years due to the claimed energy boost provided by functional ingredients. A multitude of functional ingredients have been utilized; however, there is limited research on their sensory effects in energy drink formulations. A 13-member descriptive analysis panel was conducted to investigate the effects on the sensory and rheological properties of 3 common functional ingredients-caffeine, ginseng, and taurine-in a noncarbonated model energy drink solution. Combinations of these functional ingredients at 3 levels (low, medium, high) were added to create a total of 27 different solutions (3 x 3 x 3 factorial design). Analysis of variance was performed to evaluate the sensory effects of the varying concentrations of functional ingredients in solution. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to summarize the relationship among the attributes and solutions. In general, high levels of caffeine in solution resulted in low ratings of fruity attributes and high ratings of bitter tea and fruit bitter attributes. The high level of ginseng in solution was characterized by high ratings of bitter attributes. A horns effect was observed as the sweet, artificial lemon-lime, pear, mango, and pineapple attributes were rated lower in intensity with increased ginseng levels. Taurine levels of up to 416 mg/100 mL had no significant effect on the sensory attribute ratings of the model energy drink solutions. These findings can be utilized to predict the changes in sensory characteristics when formulating energy drinks containing these popular functional ingredients.

Sensory properties of ginseng solutions modified by masking agents.

Ginseng is one of the most popular functional ingredients found in energy drink formulations. Although ginseng is known for its health benefits, ginseng is also notorious for imparting a bitter taste. Incorporating ginseng into beverages without the bitterness, while still maintaining its health benefits, is necessary for developing an acceptable product. Thus, the objectives of this study were to (1) identify effective treatments for minimizing the bitterness of ginseng in water base and model energy drink base solutions and (2) determine the sensory effects of incorporating different treatment levels to minimize the bitterness of ginseng. A series of pilot studies investigating bitterness reducing treatments were conducted, which included: congruent flavor addition, bitterness blocking agent incorporation, enzymatic modification, ingredient interaction, and complexation. Based on the results of a series of pilot studies, γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) and ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) complexation agents were identified as having the most potential. Effectiveness of the γ-CDs, ß-CDs, and combinations of γ- and ß-CDs were tested in 100 mL water and in 100 mL model energy drink base solutions containing 0.052 g 80% ginsenosides panax ginseng, using descriptive sensory analysis. Twelve trained panelists evaluated 42 solution treatments (3 treatments × 7 levels × 2 bases) for bitter attributes with and without nose clips. Overall, the most effective treatments were 0.09 g γ-CDs in 100 mL of solution and 1 g ß-CDs in 100 mL solution, which both reduced the bitterness intensity of the solutions by half. Incorporation of these levels of CDs in water and model energy drink base solutions containing ginseng will aid in the development of functional beverages that are more acceptable to a wider range of consumers.