RESUMO
The consumption of functional dairy products continues to rise due to consumer needs. This study aimed to develop a dairy guava functional symbiotic petit cheese product that included probiotics (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12, Chr. Hansen, Denmark) and prebiotics (inulin), which had adequate organoleptic characteristics. Moreover, adequate physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics during its shelf life were expected. A pasteurized skim milk curd flavored with a guava pulp was stabilized with gelatin to formulate this product. As sweeteners, iso maltol, erythritol, and Luo Han Guo extract from monk fruit (Siraitia Grosvenorii) were added. The prebiotic used was inulin, and the probiotic (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12, Chr. Hansen, Denmark). The product was kept refrigerated (4 °C) during the shelf life of 28 days. For the organoleptic analysis (100 consumers), the evaluations performed were: (1) overall liking (OL), (2) CATA (Check all that apply) testing 19 attributes, and (3) purchase intention was evaluated. Results were analyzed with FIZZ Software Biosystèmes. During shelf life, (1) physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory tests were performed. The product was evaluated as "liked much'' (7.16 out of 9); it was described as a creamy (71 %) natural product (73 %) with a fruity odor (57 %). It could be suitable for marketing because 82 % of the consumers would buy it. The product's probiotic character (over 1 × 106) was established through a microbiological count. On day one, the CFU was found to be 4.15 × 108, and after 28 days, 1.98 × 108 CFU of viable Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12, leading us to establish its probiotic characteristics. The shelf life was estimated at 21 days.