Biochemical, Microbiological, and Sensory Characteristics of Stirred Yogurt Containing Red or Green Pepper (Capsicum annuum cv. Chungyang) Juice

Hot pepper has anti-obesity effects by controlling appetite and reducing blood fat level. To reduce the pungency of capsaicin, red or green hot pepper juice was fermented with Bacillus licheniformis SK1230. Fermented hot pepper juice was then added into yogurt at different ratios. The pH of yogurt added with hot pepper juice was decreased from 4.61 to 4.48. Titratable acidity and counts of lactic acid bacteria were increased with increasing amount of pepper juice added. However, the viscosity was decreased significantly compared to the control. On chromaticity test, when more pepper juice was added, $L^*-value$ was decreased whereas $a^*$- and $b^*$- values were increased significantly (p<0.05). The spectrum of antimicrobial activity of yogurt was slightly changed compared to using pepper juice. Total polyphenol contents and antioxidant activity were increased with increasing amount of pepper juice added. Stirred yogurt added with fermented red pepper juice at 3% or green pepper juice at 1% showed high scores in flavor, appearance, texture, and overall acceptance in sensory test. Yogurt added with fermented pepper juice with reduced pungency showed also good palatability during storage at $4^{\circ}C$. Yogurt with added hot pepper juice can be play an important role in functional food relative to anti-obesity.