Publicação
Sensory Drivers of Consumer Acceptance and Behavioural Responses to Baobab Fruit Pulp (Adansonia digitata L.): Evidence from a Portuguese Convenience Sample
| dc.contributor.author | Leandro Oliveira | |
| dc.contributor.author | Augusta Tomás | |
| dc.contributor.author | Vera M. S. Isca | |
| dc.contributor.author | Rebeca André | |
| dc.contributor.author | de Pinho Ferreira Guiné, Raquel | |
| dc.contributor.author | António Raposo | |
| dc.contributor.author | Patrícia Rijo | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-08-20T08:37:53Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-08-20T08:37:53Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2026-07-27 | |
| dc.description.abstract | <jats:p>Baobab fruit (Adansonia digitata L.) has attracted increasing attention due to its nutritional value and potential as a functional food ingredient; however, its acceptance among European consumers remains poorly understood. This study investigated sensory drivers of liking, consumer segmentation, and behavioural responses towards baobab fruit pulp in a Portuguese convenience sample of adults. Sensory attributes were evaluated using a 9-point hedonic scale, alongside measures of intended consumption frequency and willingness to pay. Overall liking indicated moderate acceptance (median = 6; IQR: 3–7). Multiple linear regression identified taste as the main driver of liking (β = 0.362, p < 0.001), followed by texture (β = 0.182, p = 0.042) and acidity (β = 0.105, p = 0.045), explaining 82.3% of the variance in overall liking. Cluster analysis revealed two consumer segments: low-liking consumers (n = 70; median = 4) and high-liking consumers (n = 47; median = 8). High-liking consumers reported significantly greater intended consumption frequency and willingness to pay (p < 0.01). These findings highlight the importance of sensory optimisation and consumer heterogeneity in supporting consumer acceptance of baobab fruit pulp and informing future product development in European markets.</jats:p> | |
| dc.identifier.doi | 10.3390/foods15152629 | |
| dc.identifier.issn | 2304-8158 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10400.19/10079 | |
| dc.language.iso | eng | |
| dc.peerreviewed | yes | |
| dc.publisher | MDPI AG | |
| dc.relation.ispartof | Foods | |
| dc.rights.uri | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | |
| dc.subject | Baobab fruit pulp | |
| dc.subject | sensory analysis | |
| dc.subject | consumer behaviour | |
| dc.subject | hedonic perception | |
| dc.subject | cluster analysis | |
| dc.subject | food innovation | |
| dc.title | Sensory Drivers of Consumer Acceptance and Behavioural Responses to Baobab Fruit Pulp (Adansonia digitata L.): Evidence from a Portuguese Convenience Sample | |
| dc.type | journal | |
| dspace.entity.type | Publication | |
| oaire.citation.issue | 15 | |
| oaire.citation.title | Foods | |
| oaire.citation.volume | 15 | |
| oaire.version | http://purl.org/coar/version/c_970fb48d4fbd8a85 | |
| person.familyName | de Pinho Ferreira Guiné | |
| person.givenName | Raquel | |
| person.identifier | https://scholar.google.pt/citations?user=abFDovIAAAAJ&hl=pt-PT | |
| person.identifier.ciencia-id | 8B13-5492-0F23 | |
| person.identifier.orcid | 0000-0003-0595-6805 | |
| person.identifier.scopus-author-id | 6603138390 | |
| relation.isAuthorOfPublication | 59580952-77cc-4e4e-ae90-527a8b994f9f | |
| relation.isAuthorOfPublication.latestForDiscovery | 59580952-77cc-4e4e-ae90-527a8b994f9f |