Sem Hansen, a third-year student of the Chemistry professional bachelor program at the University College Leuven Limburg (UCLL, Belgium), has come to Kaunas University of Applied Sciences via the Erasmus+ exchange program. Hansen has chosen the Department of Food Technology at the Faculty of Technologies to work at his final practical project. The student from Belgium is carrying out several technological researches and an organoleptic analysis of fruit pastilles. The aim of the research is to encourage local producers to process fruits, berries and vegetables for the production of pastilles without added sugar as a healthy alternative to traditional sweets. The produced pastilles are of a natural fruit flavour, without food colouring and artificial additives. Various studies are carried out on the selection of apple species, berries, vegetables and other raw materials such as yoghurt and a number of gelling agents to obtain a desirable taste that would be acceptable for consumers. Sugar in these pastilles is naturally present. In order to compare the quality, pastilles containing 25 per cent of sugar are produced in parallel.

Foods that contain sugar are often high in calories and low in valuable nutrients. Consumption of such foodstuffs produces more calories than our body needs and poses a risk of various diseases: tooth decay, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some types of cancer.

The pastilles without added sugar are suitable for vegetarians, vegans and children. Hansen from UCLL developed a special test designed for children enabling them to participate in the organoleptic analysis using emoticons. The new product is also evaluated by students, who are familiar with the methodology of organoleptic analysis, prepared by Sem in cooperation with a lecturer dr. Ingrida Kraujutienė. The evaluation is based on the main factors that determine consumer choice: appearance, consistency, smell and taste.

Chemical, rheological and microbiological tests will be carried out on the pastilles with the best sensory properties. In addition, the level of glucose in the capillary blood will be tested after consumption of the fruit pastilles. Based on the results obtained, the student will prepare a final paper and write several articles.

Associate Professor Annemie Froyen of University College Leuven Limburg is an academic supervisor of Sem Hansen, who consults him on the preparation of the thesis. Prof. Froyen organises virtual meetings, communicates by e-mail, and assists the student in preparing his final paper.

Head of the Department of Food Technology dr. Ingrida Kraujutienė, states that the Erasmus+ programme encourages creative solutions by involving researchers from different cultures and with different background.