Coinoculation of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts increases the quality of wet fermented Arabica coffee

Abstract

Wet coffee fermentation is widely used in coffee-producing regions such as Colombia and Hawaii, but it is not widespread in Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate inoculating the lactic acid bacteria Leuconostoc mesenteroides CCMA1105 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CCMA 1065 and the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae CCMA0543 and Torulaspora delbrueckii CCMA0684 as starter cultures on wet coffee fermentation using the SIAF method (self-induced anaerobiosis fermentation). The microbial activity resulted in high consumption of the carbohydrates glucose (98.6%), fructose (97.6%), and sucrose (100%), in addition to the production of lactic and acetic acids, impacting the final quality of the beverage. A total of 108 volatile compounds belonging to 17 classes were identified in the green and roasted coffee samples, including 2,3-butanediol produced by lactic acid bacteria, contributing to coffee's aromatic profile. The final scores for the coffees from the different fermentations ranged from 79.0 to 83.25. The inoculated fermentations were classified as specialty according to the Specialty Coffee Association. Therefore, whole coffee fruit processed via wet using SIAF method and yeast and lactic acid bacteria starter is an alternative for improving wet fermented coffee quality and obtaining coffee beverages with a different sensory profile.