Development and characterization of a potentially synbiotic dairy-based spread product

Author(s)

Cristina Dini Staliano

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ)
• Defense date: 2012-02-09

Examining board members

Susana Marta Isay Saad; Raquel Bedani; Cynthia Jurkiewicz Kunigk

• Advisor: Susana Marta Isay Saad

Abstract

A remarkable trend in the food area is the development of products that are tasty, convenient, and able to bring healthy benefits. Within this scenario, functional foodshave been object of scientific studies to elucidate their benefits to the human being. Probiotics and prebiotics are physiologically active ingredients in food which positively influence the maintenance of the human gastrointestinal tract balance. A synbiotic product combines probiotic and prebiotics ingredients. The tomato is also remarkable, regarding some compounds with functional attributes in its composition. Lycopene is the pigment present in the fruit that has antioxidant potential and is correlated with reduced incidence of some cancer types. This study aimed to develop a potentially synbiotic quark cheese-based spread product containing tomato and with basil and parmesan cheese, as well as evaluating its physico-chemical and microbiological features, and its instrumental texture profile and sensory acceptability, during storage at 4 ± 1 °C f or up to 28 days. Three different trials of quark cheese-based spread product were produced (in triplicates), all supplemented with inulin: T1 (control) with the starter culture Streptococcus thermophilus ST-M6; T2 with the starter culture ST-M6 plus the addition of the probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb-12, and T3 with the starter culture ST-M6, the probiotic culture Bb-12, and the addition of Lactobacillus sakei 2a. The products were stored at 4 ± 1 °C and, duri ng the sampling periods (1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days), the viability of probiotics, starter culture, and L. sakei 2a was assessed. The adaptation of L. sakei 2a to the dairy matrix was also evaluated, once this bacteriocin-producing strain was isolated from a Brazilian sausage. Additionally, the pH and instrumental texture profile of the product was assessed (double penetration of samples test, using a TA-XT2 texture analyzer), and the chemical composition was determined, using samples kept frozen after the first day of production. Besides, the trials were sensory evaluated (acceptability test, using a 9-point structured hedonic scale), after 7, 14, and 21 days, by 50 consumers in each session. At the same time, samples were microbiologically monitored for the presence of contaminants. The pH of the three trials displayed a significantly decrease throughout the 28 days of storage (0.16 up to 0.21), and it was significantly lower (p<0.05) for T2 (4.67 after 28 days), compared to T1 (4.85) and T3 (4.76). Regarding the viability of the starter culture, the products showed mean populations always above 8.95 log CFU/g during storage. The probiotic cultures NCFM and Bb-12 displayed counts above the minimum recommended by the Brazilian regulatory standards throughout storage, with populations above 8 log CFU/g for Bb-12, and counts of NCFM decreased significantly (p<0.05) from 8.61 (7 days) to 7.93 log CFU/g (28 days) for T2. L. sakei 2a was able to adequately adapt to the dairy product, with populations that maintained between 8.10 and 8.18 log CFU/g during the 28 days of storage. With respect to the texture profile, T2 was considered the most stable trial during storage, as displayed preservation ofmore homogeneous parameters throughout study, compared to T1 and T3. Regarding sensory evaluation, there were neither significantly differences (p>0,05) among the trials during the studied period nor among the studied periods for the same trial. The samples had a good acceptance by consumers, with mean scores above 7 (like regularly), mainly T2, although the trials did not differ significantly. The innovative tomato dairy-based spread product developed revealed to be an adequate matrix for the probiotic microorganisms B. animalis Bb-12 and L. acidophilus NCFM, and for L. sakei 2a, potentially synbiotic, and sensory acceptable. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/13347-3 - Development of a synbiotic dairy-based "pate"
• Grantee: Cristina Dini Staliano
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master