Drink with probiotic potential based on water-soluble extract from cashew nuts

ABSTRACT: The research elaborat a drink based on a water-soluble cashew nut extract (WCNE), fermented with the probiotic strain Lactobacillus paracasei ATCC 334. The formulations were defined by factorial design 22, with the independent variables: concentration of Lb. paracasei (1%, 1.5%, and 2%) and cashew nuts (100 g, 200 g, and 300 g), and the dependent variables: Composition (Moisture, Lipids, Proteins, Ashes and Carbohydrates) and Sensory Analysis (acceptance and ordination tests). The Lb. paracasei concentration in the WCNE registered between 7.72 log CFU g-1 to 8.27 log CFU g-1 for 6 hours of fermentation. According to the FDA, these values indicated a probiotic potential to the formulations (above 6 log CFU g-1). The concentration of cashew nuts (CNC) had a significant influence (P