THE USE OF MICROENCAPSULATED LACTOBACILLUS RHAMNOSUS IN PROBIOTIC BITTER CHOCOLATE PRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the use of microencapsulated Lactobacillus rhamnosus in the production of probiotic bitter chocolate on probiotic viable cell count and sensory properties during storage at different temperatures. L. rhamnosus used in the production of probiotic chocolate was microencapsulated by extrusion technique and probiotic chocolate was stored at two different temperature (4oC and 25oC) throughout 60 days. The microencapsulation provided resistance to probiotic cultures at chocolate melting temperatures. While storage at 4oC was found more convenient to protect the survival of probiotic cells, storage at 25oC caused a serious decline in probiotic viability of tested microorganism in chocolates. As a result, microencapsulation technique and storage under refrigerator conditions (at 4oC) has been suggested to ensure the stability of probiotic cells in bitter chocolate production