Influence of added extracts of herbs (salvia lavandulifolia, salvia officinalis) and fruits (malpighia glabra) on rheological, textural, and functional (AChE-inhibitory and antioxidant activity) characteristics of dark chocolate

In this study, a new product was evaluated: enriched dark chocolate with two encapsulated plant extracts: Salvia Lavandiulaefolia and Salvia officinalis with the addition of fruit extract Malpighia glabra (acerola). Physico-chemical characteristics, antioxidant, and sensory properties of chocolate with extracts (AC300, AC400, and AC500) were determined in relation to chocolate without additives (DC). The analysis showed that according to the hardness, enthalpy, and sensory analysis, AC 400 chocolate (sample with 36.34 g of dark chocolate, 0.256 g Acerola extract, and 0.4 g Cognivia™ extract) had the best characteristics, while the rheology and particle size distribution was almost identical in all three samples of functional chocolates. A small amount of extracts did not cause changes in the structure of chocolate, but it significantly improved the polyphenolic status of chocolate and antioxidant activity. The results of the antioxidant activity tests showed that the best sample was AC 500 (sample with 36.24 g of dark chocolate, 0.256 g Acerola extract, and 0.5 g Cognivia™ extract), in which the total polyphenol content was the highest, as well as a level of compounds that inhibit AChE activity.