Milk and açaí berry pulp improve sensorial acceptability of kefir-fermented milk beverage / Leite e polpa de açaí aumentam a aceitabilidade sensorial de uma bebida fermentada por kefir

Kefir grains are a symbiotic biomass (yeast and bacteria) commonly used to produce milk probiotic fermented beverages. The aim of this study was to produce a mixed beverage of whole milk and açaí (Euterpe oleracea) berry pulp fermented by two different kefir cultures: one specific for milk and one specific for sugared water, adapted to milk. Based on the fermentation yield, pH and sensory analysis, the culture adapted to milk obtained the best results in a composition (g 100 g-1) of 70 of whole milk and 30 of açaí berry pulp, at room temperature (~25°C), without agitation and fermented for 24 h. The results obtained by this formulation were an increase of 12% in the kefir biomass, 93% of fermentation yield, pH 5.10 and overall sensory acceptance of 7.05.

Kefir é uma biomassa simbiótica (leveduras e bactérias) comumente aplicada na obtenção de bebidas fermentadas probióticas de leite. O objetivo deste trabalho foi produzir uma bebida fermentada mista de leite integral e polpa de açaí (Euterpe oleracea) a partir de duas culturas diferentes de kefir: uma original de leite e outra original de água açucarada e adaptada ao leite. Com base na conversão, pH e análise sensorial, os melhores resultados foram obtidos com a cultura adaptada na composição (g 100 g-1) de 70% de leite e 30% de polpa de açaí, sem controle de temperatura (temperatura ambiente ~25° C) e sem agitação e por 24 h de fermentação. Esta formulação apresentou 12% de aumento da biomassa, 93% de conversão, pH 5,10 e uma aceitação global de 7,05.

Fresh pasta production enriched with Spirulina platensis biomass

The aim of this work was to study the enrichment of Spirulina platensis in wheat flour to prepare fresh pasta to evaluate the green color and nutritional enrichment in addition to functional properties due to the presence of the bioactive compounds in the cyanobacterium. The pastas were evaluated for the centesimal composition, microbiological contamination, sensorial acceptance and technological characteristics such as cooking time, water absorption, volume displacement and loss of solids. The superior protein contents and the satisfactory technological and sensorial attributes compared with the control with no cyanobacterium showed the usefulness of incorporating S. platensis biomass in the fresh pastas. The microbiological quality was in compliance with the legislation in force. The sensorial quality was considered satisfactory (“liked very much”) and purchase intention high (“probably would buy”).