The physicochemical characteristics and acceptance of Lactobacilli-fermented cereal beverages
individually inoculated with human derived Lactobacillus acidophilus NCIMB 8821,
Lactobacillus plantarum NCIMB 8826, and Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 11951 were evaluated after
10 h of incubation at 37 °C. Values of cell viability, pH, titratable acidity (TA), soluble solids
content (SSC), free amino nitrogen content (FAN) and colour were correlated with the acceptance
using the Person correlation and a principal component analysis (PCA) was used
to assess the relationship and trends of these data. Additionally, volatile and non-volatile
compounds determinations were performed. The cell viability was around 108 cfu/mL with
pH values ranging from 3.3 to 3.7. The beverage formulated with L. plantarum and malt substrate
exhibited greater acceptance and it encompassed the highest concentration of
acetaldehyde. The Pearson correlation and PCA depicted that the pH of the beverages was
related to their acceptance.