Integrating microbial metagenomics and physicochemical parameters and a new perspective on starter culture for fine cocoa fermentation.

Integrating microbial metagenomics and physicochemical parameters and a new perspective on starter culture for fine cocoa fermentation. Food Microbiol. 2021 Feb;93:103608 Authors: de C Lima CO, Vaz ABM, De Castro GM, Lobo F, Solar R, Rodrigues C, Martins Pinto LR, Vandenberghe L, Pereira G, Miúra da Costa A, Benevides RG, Azevedo V, Trovatti Uetanabaro AP, Soccol CR, Góes-Neto A Abstract Cocoa beans used for chocolate production are fermented seeds of Theobroma cacao obtained by a natural fermentation process. The flavors and chemical compounds produced during the fermentation process make this step one of the most important in fine chocolate production. Herein, an integrative analysis of the variation of microbial community structure, using a shotgun metagenomics approach and associated physicochemical features, was performed during fermentation of fine cocoa beans. Samples of Forastero variety (FOR) and a mixture of two hybrids (PS1319 and CCN51) (MIX) from Bahia, Brazil, were analyzed at 7 different times. In the beginning (0 h), the structures of microbial communities were very different between FOR and MIX, reflecting the original plant-associated microbiomes. The highest change in microbial community structures occurred at the first 24 h of fermentation, with a marked increase in temperature and acetic acid concentration, and pH decrease. At 24-48 h both microbial community structures were quite homogenous regarding temper...
Source: Food Microbiology - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: Food Microbiol Source Type: research