The compositions of the cocoa pulp simulation media (PSM) supporting good growth of LAB (PSM-LAB), representative of the composition of cocoa pulp at the start of fermentation, and AAB (PSM-AAB), representative of the composition of cocoa pulp after 2 days of fermentation, developed during this study are shown in Table Table1.1. Ten-liter fermentations (see below) with monocultures of L. fermentum LMG 6902T (PSM-LAB), L. plantarum LMG 6907T (PSM-LAB), and A. pasteurianus LMG 1262T (PSM-AAB) were carried out to optimize and validate medium composition and fermentation conditions. Therefore, the amounts of carbohydrates (sucrose, glucose, and fructose) and the levels of aeration and agitation (in the case of AAB) of the media were varied (unpublished results). For instance, sucrose was omitted from the final medium for LAB, because it was barely metabolized, and the concentration of glucose and fructose was adjusted to 25 g liter−1 to enable full fermentation within 48 h (time span of LAB growth during spontaneous cocoa bean fermentation). Citric acid, which is present in cocoa pulp at the start of the fermentation, was added as a cosubstrate for LAB (PSM-LAB), while ethanol and calcium lactate were added as energy sources for AAB, reflecting the cocoa pulp composition after 2 days of fermentation (PSM-AAB) (4). Vegetal-origin, neutralized soya peptone and granulated yeast extract ensured the availability of nitrogen, trace elements, and growth factors. Moreover, the presence of yeast extract mimicked yeast cell lysis, releasing vitamins and other nutrients, upon cocoa bean fermentation (4). Magnesium and manganese were added to support good growth of lactobacilli (PSM-LAB). Tween 80 facilitated nutrient uptake by lactobacilli in PSM-LAB and served as an antifoam agent in PSM-AAB. Continuous aeration (see below) of PSM-AAB simulated infiltration of air and turning during a natural cocoa bean heap fermentation process. Finally, a medium validation based on a coculture fermentation of L. plantarum LMG 6907T and L. fermentum LMG 6902T was performed.