Fruit juices are on the rise, due to the search new mixes, flavors and nutritional value. This research investigated the acceptance and sensory profile of mixed juices. Sixteen (16) mixed juices with caja, umbu, cocoa and mango flavors were studied, using acceptance and check-all-that-apply (CATA) tests in different cities (n = 226). Juices A1 and D1 had the highest scores in Porto Alegre-RS, Brazil (respectively, 7.15 and 6.91). Differently from Salvador-BA, Brazil, where the highest scores were D2 (6.76) and D3 (6.71). Using CATA, it was shown that customers in the Southern Region characterized samples differently from customers in the Northeastern Region, and the correspondence analysis, showed that consumers in Porto Alegre-RS presented different attributes than those in Salvador-BA, with respect to mixed juices and their acceptance. Ot is suggested the validity of the consumer data in the characterization of the sensory parameters of the mixed juices and that the familiarity with the fruit flavors interfered in the acceptance of the same.

There is a scarcity of studies evaluating the influence of different commonly marketed sugars in water kefir beverage production. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the fermentation of water kefir grains in different sugary solutions: brown, demerara, refined, coconut, and cane molasses. A total of 10% of each type of sugar was dissolved in sterile water to which 10% of kefir grains were then added and fermented for 48 h at room temperature. Analyses of pH/acidity, soluble solids, lactic/acetic acids, and lactic acid bacteria and yeast counts were performed, in addition to grain weighing at 0 h, 24 h, and 48 h. The microbial biodiversity was measured using PCR-DGGE and DNA sequencing at the species level. A sensory acceptance test was performed on all beverages. Lactobacillus, Lacticaseibacillus, Lentilactobacillus Lactococcus, Leuconostoc, Acetobacter, Saccharomyces, Kluyveromyces, Lachancea, and Kazachstania were present in the kefir grains and the beverages. Molasses showed a more intense fermentation, with greater production of organic acids and higher lactic/acetic acid bacteria and yeast counts (7.46 and 7.49 log CFU/mL, respectively). Refined sugar fermentation had a lower microbial yield of lactic/acetic acid bacteria (6.87 log CFU/mL). Smith’s salience index indicates that the brown-sugar kefir beverage was better accepted among the tasters. The results indicate that the use of alternative sources of sugar to produce water kefir beverages is satisfactory. This opens up new perspectives for the application of kefir microorganisms in the development of beverages with probiotic and functional properties.

The use of non-dairy matrices for probiotic delivery can be beneficial for vegetarian, vegan and lactose intolerant consumers. Stevia rebaudiana extract can be used as sweetener to replace sucrose for glucose intolerants. This research evaluated the use of kefir grains to prepare a low-calorie, fruitbased kefir beverage. Fermentation was carried out by inoculating kefir grains into a mixture of mango and umbu pulps. Two beverages, one containing sucrose, and the other, stevia, were characterized according to their proximate composition and submitted to a 30-day shelf-life period at 5°C, evaluating lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, pH, acidity, color parameters, soluble solids, ascorbic acid, sensory acceptance, and purchase intention every 10 days. Lactic and acetic acids were analyzed at the beginning and end of the shelf-life. Both beverages showed probiotic potential. The stevia-sweetened beverage had lower calorie content and good sensory acceptance. These results support the possibility to develop low-calorie, fruit-based kefir beverages.Viabilidad química, microbiológica y sensorial de bebidas de kéfir bajas en calorías y sin lácteos preparadas a partir de jugos de frutas tropicales mixtas RESUMEN El uso de matrices no lácteas para la administración de probióticos puede ser beneficioso para consumidores vegetarianos, veganos e intolerantes a la lactosa. El extracto de Stevia rebaudiana puede utilizarse como edulcorante sustituto de la sacarosa en el caso de intolerantes a la glucosa. Esta investigación se propuso evaluar el uso de granos de kéfir para preparar una bebida de kéfir baja en calorías y a base de frutas. La fermentación se llevó a cabo inoculando granos de kéfir en una mezcla de pulpas de mango y umbú. Posteriormente, se caracterizaron dos bebidas, una con sacarosa y otra con stevia, según su composición proximal, sometiéndolas a un periodo de vida útil de 30 días a 5°C. Luego, se evaluaron cada 10 días las bacterias lácticas, las levaduras, el pH, la acidez, los parámetros de color, los sólidos solubles, el ácido ascórbico, la aceptación sensorial y la intención de compra. Asimismo, se analizó el contenido de ácidos láctico y acético al inicio y al final de la vida útil. Se constató que ambas bebidas mostraron potencial probiótico. La bebida endulzada con stevia posee menor contenido calórico y buena aceptación sensorial. En conclusión, estos resultados fundamentan la posibilidad de elaborar bebidas de kéfir bajas en calorías y a base de frutas.

Kefir is a probiotic fermented beverage resulted of the inoculation of kefir grains on different substrates. The raw cane sugar (also known as brown sugar) solution is one of the most common and most studied substrates. However, there is little evidence of the interference of the origin of the sugar in the grain fermentation intensity. Therefore, this work aims to evaluate the kinetics of the fermentation of kefir grains in brown sugar solution from five different commercial brands. The fermentative substrate was prepared with 10% brown sugar dissolved in deionized water, and 10% kefir grains were added. The fermentation process took place for 48 hours at room temperature. The analyzes performed were pH, tritable acidity, lactic acid bacteria and yeast count, all of them at time 0 and 48 (hours) of fermentation. Kefir grain biomass was weighed at times 0, 24 and 48 (hours). Native brand showed a more pronounced fermentation process, with greater growth in biomass, from 50.01 g to 122.03g, while Bella brand resulted in a substrate with small changes of pH and acidity and a good microbial growth.