Fermentation properties of fermented milk with added cacao nibs (Theobroma cacao L.)

Cacao, a major ingredient for making chocolate, has been shown to have potent antioxidant effects. The consumption of raw cacao has beneficial effects on health. This study determined the fermentation properties of yoghurt that was manufactured with cacao nibs (Theobroma cacao L.). The pH of the yogurt containing the cacao nibs was lower than that of the control, and this reduction was both concentration and fermentation time-dependent. Furthermore, the number of lactic acid bacteria in the yogurt made with cacao and its viscosity increased in a cacao nibs dependent manner. In particular, the yoghurt with 5% cacao nibs added had the highest number of lactic acid bacteria at 48 hours at the end point of the fermentation. Whey protein degradation in yogurt containing cacao nibs increased with the fermentation time, and the organic acid production, especially lactic acid, in the yogurt containing cacao nibs increased significantly after 16 hours of fermentation. In addition, the total polyphenol content of the yogurt containing cacao nibs increased, which was proportional to the amount added. Sensory evaluations of the yogurts indicated that overall taste was less desirable as cacao nib loadings increased from 1 to 5% compared with controls. This result is due to the excessive acidity, which was strongly perceived in the absence of added sugar. The development of yogurts with cacao nibs is expected to contribute much to the appeal of fermented milk.