46E-19 |
Elaboration of a probiotic-containing beverage using Agave juice |
R. MORA-ESCOBEDO1, R. Campos-Mendiola, M. E. Jaramillo-Flores, and H. Hernández-Sánchez. (1) Depto. de Ingeniería Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Carpio y Plan de Ayala, Col. P.E. Calles, México, DF, CP. 11340, Mexico Agave juice (aguamiel) is a fluid obtained from Agave atrovirens kab and it is commonly fermented to produce "pulque". This juice contains many carbohydrates, specially sucrose and oligosaccharides as well as protein and vitamins and is therefore a good vehicle for probiotic organisms. The aim of this work was to obtain an agave juice-based product with live bifidobacteria. Moisture content, °Brix, pH, acidity and carbohydrate content were determined in the juice. The growth of Bifidobacterium bifidum, B. longum, and B. animalis was measured in the juice at 37°C. Also, the survival of B. animalis was determined at 4°C using an inoculum of 1 X 108 CFU/ml. The results of the general analysis of several samples of the juice were: moisture 83-89%, 8.9-11.8°Bx, pH 5.7-8.3, 0.25-2.25% acidity. The carbohydrate analysis, performed by the Ting method and HPLC, showed that sucrose is the more important carbohydrate (6.83-11.34%), but free fructose (0.56-1.92%) and glucose (0.34-1.46%) are also present. The contents of linked fructose and glucose were 3.23-5.9 and 4.45-7.1% respectively. B. bifidum, B. longum, and B. animalis grew well at 37°C reaching their maximal level after 48 h. The survival tests in B. animalis at 4°C indicated that the sugar concentration was too high for this microorganism. A survival of 94-95% was obtained when the agave juice was diluted to 8.5-9.6°Bx. These results indicate that the agave juice is a good prebiotic which can be very well used as a vehicle for probiotic microorganisms such as bifidobacteria.
Session 46E, International
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