The effect of the presence of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus thermophilus on physicochemical, colorimetric and rheological properties of probiotic dark chocolate

Dark chocolate as a best-selling product worldwide with the main health-oriented ingredients such as cocoa powder and butter, along with a high level of consumer awareness of maintaining and enhancing health, reinforces the idea of ​​enriching all types of chocolate with probiotic strains. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the presence of microencapsulated bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus thermophilus and Bifidobacterium using sodium alginate and resistant corn starch on physicochemical properties including moisture, acidity, water activity, particle size distribution and texture, the plastic and apparent viscosity of probiotic dark chocolate were investigated during storage for 180 days at 4 ° C and 25 ° C to determine the storage temperature. In order to analyze the data obtained from the research, factorial experiment in the form of a completely randomized design was used and the comparison of means was performed by Duncanchr(chr('39')39chr('39'))s multiple range test at the probability level (α = 1%). According to the results, in days 0, 7, 30, 90, 150 and 180 physicochemical, chocolate and rheological properties at two storage temperatures and also between different treatments of probiotic dark chocolate obtained from the strains, no significant difference (P <0.05) was observed. Thus, all three products as probiotic dark chocolate have suitable characteristics in terms of the mentioned characteristics to be present in the consumer market.