Abstract
We sampled a cocoa powder production line to investigate the impact of processing on the microbial community size and diversity at different stages. Classical microbiological methods were combined with 16S rRNA gene PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, coupled with clone library construction, to analyze the samples. Aerobic thermoresistant spores (ThrS) (100°C; 10 min) were also isolated and characterized (identity, genetic diversity, and spore heat resistance), in view of their relevance to the quality of downstream heat-treated cocoa-flavored drinks. In the nibs (broken, shelled cocoa beans), average levels of total aerobic microorganisms (TAM) (4.4 to 5.6 log CFU/g) and aerobic total spores (TS) (80°C; 10 min; 4.3 to 5.5 log CFU/g) were significantly reduced (P
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2904-2913 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Applied and Environmental Microbiology |
Volume | 78 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2012 |
Keywords
- Bacteria, Aerobic
- Biodiversity
- Biota
- Cacao
- Cluster Analysis
- Colony Count, Microbial
- DNA, Bacterial
- DNA, Ribosomal
- Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis
- Food Handling
- Industrial Microbiology
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Phylogeny
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
- Sequence Analysis, DNA