PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL, MICROBIOLOGICAL AND SENSORY PROPERTIES OF FRUCTOOLIGOSACCHARIDES ENRICHED YOGURT

The functional foods present many health benefits besides their nutritional values pertinent to their chemical composition. They can play an important role on reducing the risk of chronic-degenerative diseases, like cancer, diabetes and others. The prebiotics are non-digestive fibers by the human body, but they increase the intestinal bacterial flora. Among these prebiotics are the fructooligosaccharides. This research aims to evaluate the physical-chemical, microbiological and sensory properties of fructooligosaccharides enriched yogurt. Sensory analysis was performed with 50 non-trained panelists using a structured nine point Hedonic scale for acceptance and buying intention. Microbiological (thermo-tolerant coliforms and salmonella sp/25g) and physical-chemical analyses (pH, titratable acidity expressed as, lactic acid concentration, and soluble solids as °Brix) were carried out in triplicate. All results were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey Test at 5 % of significance to verify the interaction between the averages. The acceptance was 7.9 indicating that product is according to "Liked very much" parameter. The purchase intention response showed 34% of panelists declaring that they would buy the yogurt if they could. The microbiological analysis were negative for thermo-tolerant coliforms and samonella sp./25g. Physical-chemical results were according to other similar products with average of pH 4.45, titratable acidity 0.82 g lactic acid/100 mL, and 22º Brix. Physical-chemical, microbiological and sensory analysis are in accordance to the Brazilian legislation