Non-dairy cashew nut milk as a matrix to deliver probiotic bacteria

Cashew nut milk was evaluated as a matrix to deliver commercial probiotic strains (Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus plantarum) in order to develop a non-dairy probiotic beverage. The first step was to evaluate the viability of the probiotic strains. All evaluated bacteria were able to survive in this food matrix under 4 degrees C for 30 days. So, B. animalis was the selected strain to perform a stability test of the beverage by monitoring the pH, color, sensory and microbiological quality during refrigerated storage for 30 days. During storage, B. animalis counts were above 10(7) CFU.mL(-1), the microbiological quality was maintained and there was no significant difference in whiteness. A significant pH decrease was observed, but it did not affect the beverage's sensory acceptance, indicating that cashew nut milk is an adequate vehicle for delivering probiotics.