Cocoa pudding fortified with microencapsulated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSM 1954

Probiotic pudding can be served as a functional food with high probiotic viability during production and storage. The aim of this study was to investigate the microencapsulation of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSM 1954 with a gum arabic-whey protein concentrate complex using a water-in-oil emulsion technique and to evaluate the stability of microencapsulated and non-microencapsulated L. plantarum in the cocoa pudding and to determine the main quality parameters and sensory characteristics of pudding during storage at 4 °C for 21 days. The efficacy of microencapsulation on the viability over 21 days was determined and an encapsulation efficiency of 86.66% was achieved. Whole milk, cocoa, corn starch, and gum arabic, as well as microencapsulated and non-microencapsulated L. plantarum were used to produce probiotic-fortified cocoa pudding. L. plantarum was added to pudding for 21 days to test their viability and stability. pH values and sensory analysis of pudding were conducted. Microencapsulated and non-microencapsulated L. plantarum cell counts were approximately 9 log CFU/g in pudding samples at the end of 21 days. With storage time, the pH of pudding containing non-microencapsulated bacteria decreased more than that of pudding containing microencapsulated bacteria. The addition of bacteria to the pudding did not have a significant effect on the taste, odor, and texture. Since both microencapsulated and non-microencapsulated bacteria maintain significant viability in pudding during storage, pudding can be considered a potential carrier of probiotics.