Effects of Different Levels of Refined Cane Sugar and Unrefined Coconut Palm Sugar on the Survivability of Lactobacillus acidophilus in Probiotic Ice Cream and its Sensory and Antioxidant Properties

In this study, probiotic ice cream are inoculated with Lactobacillus acidophilus (La-05; L), made with either refined (cane sugar; R) or unrefined sugar (coconut palm sugar; U) at concentrations of 15%, 18% and 21% (w/w). The changes in ice cream eating qualities, antioxidant capacity and the survival of La-05 were evaluated. Probiotic ice cream made with unrefined sugar had better microbial survival than when refined sugar was used. Ice cream made with 18% unrefined sugar showed the highest La-05 survivability. There were no significant effects on the sensory score among the probiotic ice cream with different sugar levels. However probiotic ice cream made with unrefined sugar was most preferred by panelists. The antioxidant capacity of the ice cream showed those made with unrefined sugar tend to have a higher antioxidant activity compared to those made with refined sugar. The replacement of refined with unrefined coconut palm sugar developed the viability of La-05, antioxidant capacity and total acceptability of probiotic ice creams.