Elaboração de vinagre de maçã (Malus spp.) empregando os grãos de kefir como inóculo

Abstract

Concerns regarding the valorization of apple fruits have led to a recent interest on the production of apple kefir vinegar. The aim of this study was to develop an apple vinegar-based kefir and study this fermentation process using new BioSpeckle laser method. Brazilian kefir grains were inoculated in apple juice for the production of vinegar. Samples of the beverage and grains were analyzed. In this study, the microbial community present in kefir and correspondent vinegar, was investigated by means of the MALDI-TOF technique. The microorganisms were affiliated to Lactobacillus paracasei, Saccharomyces cereviseae, Lactobacillus plantarum and Acetobacter pasteurianus e Acetobacter syzygii. Glucose consumption, the production of ethanol and acetic acid, as well as the formation of organic acids and volatile compounds were determined during apple juice fermentation by kefir grains. The results showed that kefir grains were able to utilize apple juice as substrate and produce ethanol and acetic acid. Acetates, volatile fatty acids, ketones, ethyl ester were also produced in vinegar-based kefir. The produced vinegar showed good yield of acetic acid (79%). The apple kefir vinegar showed good acceptance in sensory analysis. The kefir grains showed potential to be used as inoculum for developing apple-based vinegar.