Development of intermediate-moisture apricot with impregnation of Bacillus coagulans GBI-30 6086 as a functional snack: Quality assessment during storage

The aim of this study was to develop an apricot snack with impregnation of Bacillus coagulans GBI-30 6086 spores and investigate the changes in quality during the storage at 4 degrees C. Thus, dried apricots were impregnated with B. coagulans until they reached the intermediate moisture level (36%). The probiotic impregnation was conducted under the atmospheric pressure (control) and VI applied (experimental). The results showed the B. coagulans count of the apricots remained stable (>7 log CFU/g) over 42 days at +4 degrees C. The TSS, pH, acidity, total phenolic content (TPC), and hardness were similar for both groups on the 0th day. The TPC of the experimental group was 10.7% higher than the control at the end of storage (p < .05). Finally, the probiotic apricot with higher probiotic viability after processing and storage were successfully produced by VI while decreasing the process time by 74.2%, and maintaining better quality and sensory characteristics. Novelty impact statement Bacillus coagulans GBI-30 6086 spores were impregnated into organic dried apricots by vacuum impregnation for the first time. The use of dried fruits as probiotic carriers is a new concept to produce a functional snack. Probiotic survival remains stable in the intermediate-moisture apricots during storage of 42 days at 4 degrees C.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to develop an apricot snack with impregnation of Bacillus coagulans GBI-30 6086 spores and investigate the changes in quality during the storage at 4 degrees C. The results showed that probiotic apricots with higher probiotic viability after processing and storage were successfully produced by VI while maintaining better quality and sensory characteristics.