Flávia C.A. Buriti

Viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus in synbiotic guava mousses and its survival under in vitro simulated gastrointestinal conditions

The effects of refrigeration, freezing and substitution of milk fat by inulin and whey protein concentrate (WPC) on Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 viability and resistance to gastric and enteric simulated conditions in synbiotic guava mousses effects were investigated. Refrigerated mousses supplemented with WPC presented the best probiotic viability, ranging from 7.77 to 6.24 log cfu/g during 28 days of storage. The highest probiotic populations, above 7.45 log cfu/g, were observed for all frozen mousses during 112 days of storage. Decreased L. acidophilus survival during the in vitro gastrointestinal simulation was observed both for refrigerated and frozen mousses. Nonetheless, for the refrigerated mousses, the addition of inulin enhanced the probiotic survival during the in vitro assays in the first week of storage. L. acidophilus survival in simulated gastrointestinal fluids was also improved through freezing. The frozen storage may be used to provide increased shelf-life for synbiotic guava mousses. Even though the protective effect of inulin and WPC on the probiotic microorganism tested was shown to be more specific for the refrigerated products, the partial replacement of milk fat by these ingredients may also help, as it improves the nutritional value of mousses in both storage conditions.

Textura instrumental de queijo petit-suisse potencialmente probiótico: influência de diferentes combinações de gomas

The effect of different combinations of gums over texture parameters of probiotic petit-suisse cheese was evaluated. Petit-suisse cheeses were produced using Quark cheese-base prepared with the starter Streptococcus thermophilus and the probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum. Three formulations of petit-suisse were prepared, using the quark cheese-base added of 0.75% of the final product of the mixture of the hydrocolloids xanthan gum (X), carrageenan gum (C), guar gum (G), pectin (P): F1 = 2,5X:2,5C:5G; F2 = 2X:3C:5P; F3 = 5C:5G. Parameters evaluated after 1, 7, 14, and 21 days of storage of the product at 4±1oC included microbial counts of probiotic microorganisms, instrumental texture parameters, pH and moisture. Probiotic counts were always above 6.40 log CFU/g for L. acidophilus and above 7.30 log CFU/g for B. longum. The formulations were significantly different (p<0.05) for all the texture parameters, except for firmness of F1. The pH and the moisture were similar for the three formulations. F1 was considered the best formulation, due to its more stable firmness during storage.

Biopreservation by Lactobacillus paracasei in coculture with Streptococcus thermophilus in potentially probiotic and synbiotic fresh cream cheeses

The viability of Lactobacillus paracasei and its effect on growth of the microbiota in potentially probiotic and synbiotic fresh cheeses during storage at 4 +/- 1 degree C was investigated. Three cheese-making trials (T1, T2, and T3) were prepared in quadruplicate, all supplemented with a Streptococcus thermophilus culture. L. paracasei subsp. paracasei was added to cheeses in T1 and T2, and inulin was added to cheeses in T2. Counts of L. paracasei, S. thermophilus, coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus spp., DNase-positive Staphylococcus, and yeasts and molds were monitored during storage for up to 21 days. Viable counts of L. paracasei in probiotic (T1) and synbiotic (T2) cheeses remained above 7 log CFU/g during the entire storage period, whereas counts of S. thermophilus remained above 9.5 log CFU/g for cheeses from TI, T2, and T3. Populations of coliforms, Staphylococcus spp., and DNase-positive Staphylococcus were higher in T3 cheese and differed significantly from those in cheeses from T1 and T2 (P < 0.05). Inhibition of contaminants prevailed when both L. paracasei and S. thermophilus were present in fresh cream cheese and probably was due to acid production by both strains; bacteriocin production was not found. Addition of inulin in T2 did not impact microbial viability (P > 0.05). L. paracasei subsp. paracasei in coculture with S. thermophilus was inhibitory against microbial contaminants in fresh cream cheese with or without the addition of inulin, indicating the potential use of this combination in a probiotic and synbiotic product.

Condições de processamento e comercialização de queijo-de-minas frescal

Microbial contamination of minas fresh cheese during its shelf-life and general aspects of quality and standardization of seven different trademarks (A to G), purchased in grocery stores in Sao Paulo, were investigated. For this purpose, counts of Staphylococcus spp., coliforms, Escherichia coli, and lactic acid bacteria, besides pH, moisture, and instrumental measurement of hardness were determined 7, 14 and 21 days after cheese production. The variation of coliforms and E. coli counts during the production of cheeses from pasteurized and raw milk was also evaluated. The highest counts of Staphylococcus spp., coliforms and E. coli were, respectively, 7.83 (B), 8.02 (B), and 7.83 log CFU/g (C). Except for trademark F, all others presented contamination levels above those recommended by the Brazilian legislation. Cheeses from six out of seven trademarks were already unsuitable for consumption 7 days after production. The counts of total coliforms and E. coli in cheeses prepared in the laboratory increased 2.5 log cycles during their manufacture using pasteurized milk, and 4.5 log cycles (coliforms) and 5 log cycles (E. coli) when prepared with raw milk. Conditions of production, distribution, and expiration date of commercial minas fresh cheese need improvement.

Activity of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) and guava (Psidium guajava) pulps on Lactobacillus acidophilus in refrigerated mousses

Five pilot-scale mousse-making trials were produced and supplemented with Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 probiotic culture: M1 with passion fruit concentrated juice (PJ); M2 with PJ and prebiotic fibre inulin; M3 with frozen passion fruit pulp (PP); M4 with frozen guava pulp (GP); M5 with GP and lactic acid. The products were stored refrigerated (4oC) and M2 and M5 were also stored frozen (-18oC). Viability of L. acidophilus decreased up to 4.7 log cfu.g-1 in the 21st day for refrigerated mousses containing passion fruit (M1, M2 and M3), whereas the probiotic population remained above 6 log cfu.g-1 in the mousses containing guava (M4 and M5). Inhibition due to acidity was discharged. The addition of fruits to probiotic products should be carefully planned because inhibition of probiotic strains might occur.

Textura instrumental e avaliação sensorial de queijo fresco cremoso simbiótico: implicações da adição de Lactobacillus paracasei e inulina

The influence of the addition of a potential probiotic culture of Lactobacillus paracasei and of the prebiotic fiber inulin on the texture profile and on the sensory evaluation of probiotic and synbiotic fresh cream-cheeses was monitored. Three cheese-making trials were prepared in quintuplicate, all supplemented with a Streptococcus thermophilus starter culture (T1, T2 and T3). L. paracasei subsp. paracasei was added to T1 and T2, and inulin, to T2. The instrumental texture profile was determined after 1, 7, 14 and 21 days of storage of the cheeses. Sensory evaluation was performed after 7 days of storage. The presence of Lactobacillus paracasei in cheeses T1 and T2 and of inulin in cheeses T2 did not alter the texture profile significantly. Cheeses T1 were the least preferred in the sensory evaluation and differed significantly from T2 and T3, due to acidic taste, according to panelists. On the other hand, T2 was the most preferred one, though not significantly different from T3. The addition of the prebiotic ingredient inulin to fresh cream cheese processed with a potentially probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei strain resulted in a product with appropriate features and with aggregated functional properties.

Addition of grape pomace extract to probiotic fermented goat milk: the effect on phenolic content, probiotic viability and sensory acceptability.

BACKGROUND Grape pomace is a source of phenolic compounds, which are associated with health benefits in humans. Additionally, fermented dairy foods with probiotics can be good vehicles to deliver these bioactive compounds. The effects of the addition of grape pomace extract (GPE) on the total phenolic (TP) content, physico-chemical characteristics and viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 or Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 in fermented goat milks prepared with grape juice were investigated. RESULTS The TP concentration increased significantly in fermented milks with the addition of GPE. A protective effect of GPE on the viability of L. acidophilus was observed. However, after 14 days of storage, the populations of L. acidophilus were significantly lower when compared with those of L. rhamnosus, and only the last probiotic maintained its viability above 7 log CFU mL-1 throughout the period investigated. The sensory scores of flavor, color and overall acceptability of the fermented milk containing L. rhamnosus HN001 were significantly increased when GPE was added. CONCLUSION The use of GPE might increase the functionality of probiotic fermented goat milk processed with L. rhamnosus HN001 and grape juice because grape polyphenols are known for their antioxidant properties and positive effect on the modulation of gut microbiota.

Inovação, persistência e criatividade superando barreiras no desenvolvimento de alimentos probióticos

The aim of probiotic products is to achieve a balanced intestinal microbiota that will impact favorably on the consumer health. An adequate strain selection must be carried out to manufacture probiotic food products. This selection should guarantee adequate probiotic survival during the passage through the gastrointestinal tract, after retaining its viability in the target product, both during manufacture and storage, in addition to providing the product with suitable technological properties. The food matrix to be selected for the incorporation of probiotic strains should be carefully studied for the adequate probiotic strain-food matrix pair selection, especially for fermented products, in which probiotic growth might result in atypical or even undesirable changes. Compatibility of the selected strains and adaptability to the food must also be verified. These prerequisites are major technological challenges, as many probiotic strains are sensitive to oxygen, heat and acids. A number of probiotic dairy products, mainly fermented ones, in addition to certain non-dairy products have been developed. The main challenges faced during the development of these products and storage are discussed in the present review.The aim of probiotic products is to achieve a balanced intestinal microbiota that will impact favorably on the consumer health. An adequate strain selection must be carried out to manufacture probiotic food products. This selection should guarantee adequate probiotic survival during the passage through the gastrointestinal tract, after retaining its viability in the target product, both during manufacture and storage, in addition to providing the product with suitable technological properties. The food matrix to be selected for the incorporation of probiotic strains should be carefully studied for the adequate probiotic strain-food matrix pair selection, especially for fermented products, in which probiotic growth might result in atypical or even undesirable changes. Compatibility of the selected strains and adaptability to the food must also be verified. These prerequisites are major technological challenges, as many probiotic strains are sensitive to oxygen, heat and acids. A number of probiotic dairy products, mainly fermented ones, in addition to certain non-dairy products have been developed. The main challenges faced during the development of these products and storage are discussed in the present review.

Chilled Milk-based Desserts as Emerging Probiotic and Prebiotic Products

Nowadays, food companies are endeavoring to differentiate their products through creative segmentation and positioning strategies based on superior functionality and quality. Some kinds of dairy desserts have shown a great market potential, as a function of consumers interested in healthier and functional products with fine taste and mouthfeel. In this context, chilled dairy desserts are emerging as attractive options for the incorporation of probiotic cultures and prebiotic ingredients, as seen in the previous launches from the food industry, as well as in the growing number of scientific studies dealing with this subject published in the last years. The main aspects involved in the development of probiotic and/or prebiotic dairy desserts for storage under refrigerated conditions are presented in this review.

Effect of Aqueous Extract of the Seaweed Gracilaria domingensis on the Physicochemical, Microbiological, and Textural Features of Fermented Milks

The effects of the Gracilaria domingensis seaweed aqueous extract in comparison with gelatin on the physicochemical, microbial, and textural characteristics of fermented milks processed with the mixed culture SAB 440 A, composed of Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis, were investigated. The addition of G. domingensis aqueous extract did not affect pH, titratable acidity, and microbial viability of fermented milks when compared with the control (with no texture modifier) and the products with added gelatin. Fermented milk with added the seaweed aqueous extract showed firmness, consistency, cohesiveness, and viscosity index at least 10% higher than those observed for the control product (P < 0.05). At 4 h of fermentation, the fermented milks with only G. domingensis extract showed a texture comparable to that observed for products containing only gelatin. At 5 h of fermentation, firmness and consistency increased significantly (P < 0.05) in products with only seaweed extract added, a behavior not observed in products with the full amount of gelatin, probably due to the differences between the interactions of these ingredients with casein during the development of the gel network throughout the acidification of milk. The G. domingensis aqueous extract appears as a promising gelatin alternative to be used as texture modifier in fermented milks and related dairy products.