Viability of probiotics and antioxidant activity of cashew milk-based yogurt fermented with selected strains of probiotic Lactobacillus spp.

The present study investigated the effects of three strains of probiotic Lactobacillus spp. such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus (Lr), Lactobacillus casei (Lc), or Lactobacillus plantarum (Lp) in co-cultures with Streptococcus thermophilus (St) and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. Lactis (Ll) on the changes of post-acidification, viability of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activity of cashew milk (W) - based yogurt (Y) during 0, 7, 14, & 21 days of storage. In addition, sensory evaluation of all yogurt samples was run during the first day of storage. The addition of Lr decreased significantly the pH in cashew milk-based yogurt compared to control-yogurt (C-Y; containing only St and Ll) throughout 21 days of storage. Cashew milk-based yogurt showed an increment in LAB counts, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant capacity content which is relatively dependent on the probiotic Lactobacillus spp. strains. WLp-Y showed lower sensory attributes scores. In conclusion, L. rhamnosus, L. casei, and L. plantarum could be used as a starter culture in cashew milk-based yogurt production with a potential source of natural antioxidants.