Development of a plant-based dessert using araticum pulp and chickpea extract: Physicochemical, microbiological, antioxidant, and sensory characterization.

The demand for plant-based products has increased in recent years, due to several aspects related to health and environmental consciousness. This study aimed to produce and characterize a plant-based dairy alternative dessert based on araticum pulp and chickpea extract without added sugar and fat. Three formulations were prepared: Formulation 1 (F1): 20% araticum pulp + 80% chickpea extract; Formulation 2 (F2): 30% araticum pulp + 70% chickpea extract; and Formulation 3 (F3): 40% araticum pulp + 60% chickpea extract. All formulations' chemical composition, sensorial characteristics, viscosity, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and microbiological stability were analyzed during 28 days of storage at 4°C and a relative humidity of 23%. Energetic value ranged from 64 to 71 kcal/100g, and carbohydrate content from 9.68 to 11.06, protein from 3.38 to 3.04, lipids from 1.41 to 1.60, ashes from 0.53 to 0.59 and crude fiber from 0.86 to 1.34 g/100g among the formulations. The increase in the proportion of araticum pulp in the formulations reduced moisture content by 1.2 to 2.1% (F1: 84.2, F2: 83.2, and F3: 82.4), protein content by 3 to 9% (F1: 3.3, F2: 3.2, and F3: 3.0), and pH value by 5.8 to 10.7% (F1: 5.50, F2: 5.18, and F3: 4.91), and increased the TSS by 1.1 to 1.3-fold (F1: 8.36, F2: 8.98, and F3: 10.63 º Brix), total phenolics content by 1.5 to 2.0-fold (F1: 4,677, F2: 6,943, and F3: 10,112 gallic acid µmol/L) and antioxidant activity by 1.8 to 2.8-fold (F1: 1,974, F2: 3,664, and F3: 5.523). During the 28 days of storage at 4°C, the formulations F1 and F2 showed better stability of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity; however, the formulation F3 showed acceptable microbiological quality up to 28 days of storage, higher viscosity, 8 to 16-fold higher than the formulations F1 and F2, respectively (F1: 238.90, F2: 474.30, and F3:3,959.77 mPa.s), antioxidant capacity and better scores in sensory analysis. The present study showed that the plant-based dessert elaborated with araticum pulp and chickpea extract might be considered a potential dairy alternative product with high antioxidant activity, protein content, and a viscosity similar to yogurt; however, its sensory aspects need improvement.

Effect of a freeze-dried coffee solution in a high-fat diet-induced obesity model in rats: Impact on inflammatory response, lipid profile, and gut microbiota.

Coffee beans contain high polyphenol content, which have the potential to modulate the intestinal microbiota, and possibly attenuate weight gain and the associated dyslipidemia. This study investigated the effect of freeze-dried coffee solution (FCS) consumption on physiological parameters, lipid profile, and microbiota of Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet (HF) or control diet (CT). FCS combined with a high-fat diet increased the fecal and cecal Bifidobacterium spp. population and decreased the cecal Escherichia coli population and intestinal Il1b mRNA level. Regardless of the diet type, FCS increased the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C); however, it did not affect body weight, food intake, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, fecal bile acids, and intestinal Il6 mRNA levels. The high-fat diet increased weight gain, hepatic cholesterol and triglycerides, fecal bile acids, and the fecal and cecal Lactobacillus spp. population, and reduced food intake, the fecal E. coli population, and intestinal Il6 mRNA level. The results suggest that FCS consumption exhibits positive health effects in rats fed a high-fat diet by increasing Bifidobacterium spp. population and HDL-C reverse cholesterol transport, and by reducing Il1b mRNA level. However, FCS administration at a dose of 0.39 g/100 g diet over an eight-week period was not effective in controlling food intake, and consequently, preventing weight gain in rats of high-fat diet-induced obesity model.

Enrichment of Probiotic Fermented Milk with Green Banana Pulp: Characterization Microbiological, Physicochemical and Sensory.

The aims of this study were (i) to evaluate the growth kinetic of L. paracasei LBC 81 in fermented milks enriched with green banana pulp (GBP); (ii) to evaluate the effect of the incorporation of GBP on the chemical composition and the sensory acceptance; and (iii) to study the viability of the probiotic and technological properties during refrigerated storage. The amount of GBP used were 3.0, 6.0 and 9.0 g/100 g. The results show that the higher the concentration of GBP added, the shorter the time taken to reach pH 4.6. It was observed that the incorporation of GBP did not affect negatively the viability of L. paracasei LBC 81 during storage. The fermented milk elaborated with 6.0 g/100 g of GBP was the most accepted. The present study indicates that the enrichment of fermented milk with GBP favors the stability of the probiotic strain, L. paracasei LBC 81 during storage.