The present study aimed to develop a probiotic soy-based product similar to petit-suisse cheese and to
evaluate its perspectives regarding potential for consumer health benefits, sensory acceptability, and
instrumental texture during storage. Three different trials were studied: MP (milk-based petit-suisse e
control); MSP (mixed product with milk cream and soy); SP (soymilk-based product). The formulations
were produced with an ABT culture, containing Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5, Bifidobacterium animalis
Bb-12, and the starter Streptococcus thermophilus and stored at 4 C for up to 28 days. Bb-12 viability
remained always above 8 log cfu g1 for all trials, whereas viability of La-5 was satisfactory at the end of
storage for MP (7.56 log cfu g1
) and MSP (6.49 log cfu g1
), but only up to 21 days (6.84 log cfu g1
) for
SP. The pH remained stable and was lower for MSP (p < 0.05), whereas instrumental hardness and
gumminess increased in soy-based products (MSP and SP) and decreased in the control (MP). SP had the
highest sensory score means (6.4) on day 21, being sensorially attractive to provide consumers with a
functional food without dairy ingredients and with high viability of the probiotic microorganisms