Physicochemical and microbiological quality in the fermentation of different cocoa blends with the addition of coffee and cardamom

• Autor(a) principal: Paula, Nélio Ranieli Ferreira de
• Data de Publicação: 2020
• Outros Autores: Araújo, Érica de Oliveira, Oliveira, Natália Dias de
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Research, Society and Development
• Texto Completo: https://rsdjournal.org/index.php/rsd/article/view/8742
• topic: Theobroma cacao; Fermentação; Agregação de valor; Inovação tecnológica; Theobroma cacao; Fermentation; Value aggregation; Technological innovation; Quality control.; Theobroma cacao; Fermentación; Agregación de valores; Innovación tecnológica; Control de calidad.

Fermentation is an essential step in obtaining good quality almonds. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the fermentation process of cocoa almonds and quantify the physicochemical and microbiological quality of different cocoa blends with the addition of coffee and cardamom, aiming at the reduction of the cost of processing, the addition of value to the raw material, and technological and scientific development of the Amazon region. The experimental design used was completely randomized, arranged in a 4 x 2 x 3 factorial scheme, corresponding to four fermentation times, two fermentation, three concentrations of pulp (blends) (pure cocoa, cocoa + coffee, and cocoa + cardamom), and three replicates. The results made it possible to conclude that the temperature inside the mass measured every 48 hours after turning increased with the fermentation time, reaching its maximum on the seventh day of fermentation. The increase in the temperature inside the fermentation mass on the seventh day is due to the higher concentration of acetic acid, evidenced by the reduction in pH value and consequent reduction in °Brix. Fermentation in a greenhouse at a temperature of 40 °C enables the maintenance of stable temperature throughout the fermentation process for blends of cocoa with the addition of coffee and cardamom. It is verified that, when there is a pre-established temperature, as in a greenhouse at 40 °C, there is a decrease in the values of °Brix and soluble solids present in the final product. Temperature, pH, and sugars are determining factors for the duration of the fermentation process and quality of pure cocoa almonds and cocoa almonds with the addition of coffee and cardamom. Under the experimental conditions, fermentation time from seven days is sufficient to ensure the physicochemical and microbiological quality of cocoa blends with the addition of coffee and cardamom, but it should not exceed nine days.