Nutritional Approach of Carob Pulp Powder “Ceratonia siliqua L.’’ from Algeria: Potential as Cocoa Substitute in Chocolate Formulations

Background: This study explores the viability of carob pulp flour (CPF) as an alternative to cocoa formulation, focusing on its nutritional attributes and sensory acceptability. Methods: Physicochemical analysis was conducted to assess the composition of CPF, including its fiber, sugar, mineral, protein and fat content using GC-MS. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) was employed to determine essential mineral concentrations. Three chocolate formulations (F0, F1 and F2) were developed and evaluated. Result: CPF was found to be rich in fibers (7%) and sugars (79.64%), with notable levels of potassium (61.76%) and calcium (28.18%). However, it contained relatively low levels of protein (1.51%) and fat (0.6%). The predominant fatty acids in CPF were palmitic acid (16.70%) and oleic acid (18.37%). Among the chocolate formulations tested, F2 (73.3g CPF and 10g sugar) emerged as the most preferred by participants across different demographics and age groups. This suggests that CPF-based chocolate, with a balanced flavor profile and moderate sweetness, provides a highly appealing sensory experience.