Effect of sweetener combination and storage temperature on physicochemical properties of sucrose free white chocolate

•The influence of sweeteners combinations over chocolate quality was investigated.•The formulation with 75% Stevia + 25% Sucralose generated a denser microstructure.•This combination delayed the Bloom formation even at elevated storage temperatures.•Thermal properties increased at elevated temperatures improving their characteristics.•This chocolate did not show structural changed with the moisture absorption.

The influence of a combination of sweeteners (Stevia (St) and sucralose (Su)) and storage temperature on thermal properties, microstructure, water content, texture and Bloom of sucrose free white chocolate was investigated. A strong relationship between the microstructure and the highest percentage of Bloom was observed. The samples with 100%Su and 50%S + 50%Su presented microstructures with channels through which solids and fat could more easily spread to the surface, increasing the fat and sugar Bloom formation. However, 50%St + 50%Su and 75%St + 25%Su samples showed a minimum Bloom formation, probably due to its dense microstructure with no void spaces. The differential scanning calorimetry studies demonstrated that the samples containing 100%St and 75%St + 25%Su showed the smallest decrease of melting enthalpy with increasing temperature. Besides, non-isothermal crystallization kinetics was studied by applying Avrami model. The sample 75%St + 25%Su presented the highest values of activation energy showing the greatest stability in the temperature range studied (7 °C-30 °C).