Inoculum of the starter consortia and interactive metabolic process in enhancing quality of cocoa bean (Theobroma cacao) fermentation.

Sandhya, M. V. S. and Yallappa, B. S. and Varadaraj, M. C. and Pura Naik, J. and Jaganmohan Rao, L. and Janardhan, P. and Pushpa, S. Murthy (2016) Inoculum of the starter consortia and interactive metabolic process in enhancing quality of cocoa bean (Theobroma cacao) fermentation. LWT - Food Science and Technology, 65. pp. 731-738.

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Abstract

Fermentation of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is the pivotal in the post-harvest process. Solid state fermentation of the cocoa with inoculum of 10e60% of defined starter consortia of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus plantarum and Acetobacter aceti in cocoa fermentation boxes was carried out. The microbial ecology, metabolism, bean chemistry and chocolate quality along with natural (control) fermentation were evaluated. An inoculum of 10% resulted to temperature of 42 �C and pH 5.5. The variation in microbial metabolites was indicative with reference to alcohol (2.3 ± 0.2 mg/g), lactic acid (0.1 ± 0.3 mg/g), acetic acid (1.6 mg/g), anthocyanin (8.5 ± 0.5 mg/kg) and total polyphenols (34 ± 0.2 mg ECE/g). The HPLC profiles revealed key alkaloids such as theobromine (2.2 ± 0.08 mg/g), caffeine (1.92 ± 0.06 mg/g), theophylline (0.42 ± 0.03 mg/g). The sensory profile with 10% inoculum scored 8.5 on hedonic scale and was significant (p < 0.05). High density cell culture (30e60%) resulted in undesirable fermentation leading to low-quality cocoa beans. Use of 10% inoculum of starter consortia regulated microbial succession, consistent fermentation and development of desirable characteristics of the cocoa beans and potentially reduced the fermentation time to 3 days, as against that of 5e7 days in case of natural fermentation.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Cocoa beans Fermentation Starter cultures Microbial inoculum Quality attributes
Subjects:	600 Technology > 05 Chemical engineering > 04 Fermentation Technology 600 Technology > 07 Beverage Technology > 03 Cocoa
Divisions:	Food Microbiology Plantation Products Spices and Flavour Technology
Depositing User:	Food Sci. & Technol. Information Services
Date Deposited:	11 Jan 2016 07:56
Last Modified:	29 Dec 2016 13:20
URI:	http://ir.cftri.res.in/id/eprint/12082

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