This study aimed to develop a high-protein vegan chocolate bar using chickpea powder (CP1) and black bean powder (BP1) to promote health enhancement, plant-based protein intake, and sustainable food development. Legume powders were incorporated into t...
This study aimed to develop a high-protein vegan chocolate bar using chickpea powder (CP1) and black bean powder (BP1) to promote health enhancement, plant-based protein intake, and sustainable food development. Legume powders were incorporated into the chocolate bar manufacturing process to establish a novel formulation, and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was applied to analyze the effects of the allulose and peanut butter ratio on sensory attributes (appearance, texture, taste, aroma, and overall acceptability) and physicochemical properties (pH, Brix, salinity, and color), thereby determining optimal formulation conditions.
RSM enabled the derivation of optimal ratios, and sensory evaluation confirmed that the allulose and peanut butter ratio exerted a statistically significant influence (p < 0.05). ANOVA results indicated that, for CP1, harmony of bean flavor, bitterness/off-flavors, nuttiness, bean aftertaste, and overall acceptability followed a linear model, whereas the remaining sensory attributes were best described by quadratic models. In contrast, all sensory attributes of BP1 were dependent on quadratic models, suggesting more complex interactions among formulation variables. In physicochemical assessments, CP1 exhibited significant variations in pH (p = 0.001), Brix (p < 0.0001), and salinity (p < 0.0001) with changes in formulation ratios, while color parameters (L, a, b) were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). For BP1, pH (p = 0.001), Brix (p = 0.0001), salinity (p = 0.0005), and redness (a) (p = 0.0324) showed significant differences, whereas lightness (L) and yellowness (b) did not. These results suggest that natural pigments in legume powders may be masked by the chocolate matrix, indicating the potential need for future adjustment of cocoa content.
Optimized proximate analysis showed that CP1 contained 3.77% moisture, 2.39% ash, 13.38% fat, 21.30% protein, 59.16% carbohydrate, and 442.28 kcal, whereas BP1 contained 2.42% moisture, 5.15% ash, 24.03% fat, 31.24% protein, 37.16% carbohydrate, and 489.90 kcal. Compared with the control (C1), CP1 exhibited lower fat and energy contents with higher protein and carbohydrate levels, while BP1 showed a higher protein content and relatively lower carbohydrate content. Accordingly, CP1 may serve as a balanced energy source, whereas BP1 may be suitable for consumers following high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets.
In antioxidant and functional evaluations, total polyphenol content was lower in CP1 (1.50mg GAE/g) and BP1 (2.44mg GAE/g) than in C1 (3.49mg GAE/g). Despite the lower polyphenol levels, CP1 and BP1 exhibited greater α-glucosidase inhibitory (anti-diabetic) activity(60.32% and 64.52%, respectively) than C1 (43.38%), suggesting that legume-derived bioactive compounds may contribute to metabolic health. Texture Profile Analysis (TPA) revealed hardness and chewiness values of 5.14N and 1.87N for C1, 7.56N and 1.71N for CP1, and 15.28N and 4.96N for BP1, respectively. These results indicate that CP1 and BP1 provided firmer and richer textures, with BP1 exhibiting a more multidimensional mouthfeel that may enhance consumer acceptability.
Consumer preference surveys indicated positive evaluations of bean-derived flavor and nuttiness, with health-related factors such as metabolic benefits and protein fortification significantly influencing purchase intention. Preferences for the addition of nuts or chocolate further suggest opportunities to enhance market suitability. Overall, these findings demonstrate that high-protein vegan chocolate bars formulated with chickpea and black bean powders have strong potential to support health promotion, vegan dietary patterns, and sustainability. By reflecting reduced environmental burden, economic efficiency, and nutritional value, these products may align with modern consumers’ preferences for health-oriented lifestyles and eco-friendly consumption, serving as a meaningful alternative for vegan communities and health-conscious consumers.