RESUMO
: In the present study, cheese whey was utilized for the development of a novel functional beverage, using Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393 probiotic cells immobilized on Pistacia terebinthus resin (pissa Paphos). Evaluation of shelf life of the produced beverages showed that spoilage microorganisms were not observed in beverages containing P. terebinthus resin. Terpenes' rich content might have contributed to the antimicrobial activity of the produced beverages; however, no significant effect on the viability of the immobilized probiotic cells was obtained. Whey beverages containing the immobilized biocatalyst retained a high viability (>1 × 106 CFU/g) of probiotic cells during a storage period of 30 days at 4 °C. The superiority of whey beverages containing the immobilized biocatalyst was also highlighted by GC-MS analysis, while the enhanced aromatic profile, which was mostly attributed to the higher concentration of terpenes, was also detected during the sensory evaluation performed. Conclusively, this study indicated the high commercialization potential of these novel functional whey beverages, within the frame of a sustainable dairy waste valorization approach. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first food-oriented approach within the guidelines of the circular economy reported in the literature, using the autochthonous Pistacia terebinthus resin for the production of functional whey beverages.
RESUMO
Resin from Pistacia terebinthus tree was used for the immobilization of L. casei ATCC 393 cells. The encapsulated L. casei cells biocatalysts were added as adjuncts during yogurt production at 45 °C and probiotic viability was assessed during storage at 4 °C. For comparison reasons yogurt with free L. casei cells were prepared. The effect of encapsulated bacteria as adjuncts in yogurt on pH, lactic acid, lactose and other physicochemical parameters were studied for 60 storage days at 4 °C. Samples were also tested for the microbiological and organoleptic characteristics during storage at 4 °C. Encapsulation matrix seems to sustain the viability of embedded L. casei cells at levels more than 7 logcfug(-1) after 60 days of storage at 4 °C. Furthermore, the absence of pathogens such as Salmonella, Staphylococci, Enterobacteriaceae and coliforms in the produced yogurts is noteworthy where spoilage microorganisms such as yeasts and molds seem to affect yogurt quality only in absence of Pistacia terebinthus resin. The effect of the resin on production of aroma-related compounds responsible for yogurt flavor was also studied using the solid phase microextraction gas chromatography/mass spectrometry technique. Alpha and beta- pinene were the major aroma compounds detected in produced yogurts (over 60 % of total aromatic compounds detected). Yogurts with immobilized cells on P.terebintus resin had a fine aroma and taste characteristic of the resin.
