Microbial diversity and chemical characteristics of Coffea canephora grown in different environments and processed by dry method.

This study aimed to assess the microbial diversity in Coffea canephora grown in four different environments of Espirito Santo state, Brazil. Coffee cherries of two different altitudes (300 and 600 m) and two terrain aspects (Southeast-facing and Northwest-facing slopes) were processed by the dry method. Samples were collected during the drying/fermentation process. Microorganisms were counted, isolated, and identified by MALDI-TOF, followed by sequencing of the ribosomal region. Sugars and organic acids were quantified by HPLC and volatile compounds of the roasted coffees were evaluated by GC-MS. Bacteria population presented a significant number of isolates as well as higher counts during the drying/fermentation process with respect to the population of yeasts. The principal genera of microorganisms found were Bacillus, Pichia, Candida, and Meyerozyma. Meyerozyma guilliermondii was the most frequent yeast in all environments. On the other hand, Pichia kluyveri was found only in coffee cherries from the 600 m altitude. The highest concentration of acetic and succinic acids observed was 6.06 mg/g and 0.84 mg/g, respectively. Sucrose concentrations ranged from 0.68 to 5.30 mg/g, fructose from 1.30 to 4.60 mg/g, and glucose from 0.24 to 1.25 mg/g. Thirty-six volatile compounds, belonging to the groups of pyrazines, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and furans were identified in roasted coffee, with differences between altitude and terrain aspects. Information about microbial diversity is crucial to better understand the coffee quality and distinct characteristics of coffee produced in different environments.

The use of mesophilic and lactic acid bacteria strains as starter cultures for improvement of coffee beans wet fermentation.

The use of starter cultures during food fermentation aims to standardize the process and to obtain a higher quality product. The objectives were to study mesophilic bacteria (MB) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from wet coffee processing and evaluate their performance in a pulped coffee medium. Eighty-six bacteria isolates (59 MB and 27 LAB) were assessed for pectinolytic activity, metabolite production, and pH value decrease in coffee-based culture (CPM). Seven bacteria strains (3 MB and 4 LAB) were selected and used as starter cultures in the wet fermentation of pulped coffee. The MB and LAB populations varied from 4.48 to 8.43 log CFU g-1 for MB and 3.54 to 8.72 log CFU g-1 for LAB during fermentation. Organic acid concentration (ranged from 0.01 to 0.53 for succinic acid; 0.71 to 8.14 for lactic acid and 0.06 to 0.29 for acetic acid), and volatile compounds (44 compounds were detected in green beans and 98 in roasted beans) were evaluated during fermentation. The most abundant compounds found in roasted beans belong to furans [15], ketones and esters [14], pyridines [13], and pyrazines [12]). Leuconostoc mesenteroides CCMA 1105 and Lactobacillus plantarum CCMA 1065 presented volatile compounds important for coffee aroma. Isovaleric acid; 2,3-butanediol; phenethyl alcohol; ß-linalool; ethyl linoleate; and ethyl 2-hydroxypropanoate could improve cupping qualities.