Elaboración de bebidas probióticas de zanahoria, utilizando bacterias ácido lácticas aisladas del bosque primario-Pungalá

Abstract

This research aimed to apply microorganisms of biotechnological interest by developing probiotic carrot beverages using lactic acid bacteria isolated from Primary Forest-Pungalá (L. plantarum, L. curvatus) compared to a commercial strain (L. bulgaricus YAU-1432). The methodology followed a Completely Randomized Design under a linear model, analyzing three treatments with five replications each, with microbial count essential for determining the growth kinetics of each species. Statistical analysis, descriptive in nature, used ANOVA and Tukey's test for physicochemical and microbiological analyses. Kruskal-Walli’s test served as a tool for sensory analyses, while the hedonic scale evaluated acceptance levels among 150 untrained panelists, and the Cost-Benefit ratio facilitated economic analysis. Growth kinetics revealed that L. curvatus exhibited higher growth with 5.96x107 CFU/ml. Physicochemical analyses indicated significant differences in pH, acidity, and protein content among beverages, aligning with standards set by INEN 2395 and the Official Mexican Standard 051-SCFI/SSA1. Microbiologically, beverages exhibited the highest population of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in the treatment with L. plantarum, reaching 6.73x107 CFU/ml, which was also preferred by tasters, characterized as very good in aroma and excellent in color and flavor. The best Cost-Benefit ratio was 1.47 utilizing isolated LAB strains, yielding a profit of 0.47 cents per dollar invested. Finally, significant statistical differences are noticeable on the Lactobacillus species used in the beverages. The beverages with the best results in their microbiological and sensorial properties were those made with L. plantarum. In addition, the beverages with the best results in their physicochemical properties were those based on L. curvatus and L. bulgaricus YAU-1432, and economically, the beverages made with L. plantarum and curvatus showed the best results.