By integrating ecological, chemical and sensory analyses of cocoa
beans fermented in the presence and absence of LAB, this study has
demonstrated that the contributions of these bacteria may not be necessary
for the production of beans that give typical chocolate character. In
this context, it supports suggestions of early researchers (e.g., Barel,
1998 cited in De Vuyst et al., 2010; Nicholls, 1913) that these bacteria