Handray Fernandes de Souza

Mead is a fermented beverage produced through the yeast fermentation of diluted honey. Among its variations, melomel stands out as it is prepared with the addition of fruits to enhance the sensory and nutritional profile of the beverage. Although Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the conventional choice for mead fermentation, the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii has emerged as a promising starter culture to develop functional alcoholic beverages. This study aimed to evaluate the sensory profile of a cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum) melomel fermented with S. boulardii using the consumers acceptance and the Check-All-That-Apply (CATA) methodologies. Accordingly, two treatments were designed for the sensory analysis: (i) Treatment 1 (T1), consisting of cupuaçu melomel fermented with the probiotic yeast S. boulardii at a concentration of 1 g/L; and (ii) Treatment 2 (T2), consisting of cupuaçu melomel fermented with the commercial yeast S. cerevisiae, also at a concentration of 1 g/L. The products were evaluated by 113 healthy volunteer consumers, aged 18 years or older, who were not pregnant and had no history of allergy or intolerance to alcohol, honey, and/or cupuaçu. Although the participants had limited familiarity with honey wine, all reported being familiar with and enjoying both honey and cupuaçu. Compared with the cupuaçu melomel fermented with the conventional yeast S. cerevisiae, the melomel fermented with S. boulardii achieved higher scores (p < 0.05) for flavor, overall impression and purchase intent. CATA analysis revealed that attributes indicating “light amber color,” “clear,” “honey aroma,” “sweet taste,” “honey flavor,” and “Flavorful” were associated with the S. boulardii formulation. In conclusion, S. boulardii represents a viable alternative culture for melomel processing, supporting the development of fermented beverages with improved sensory characteristics and good consumer acceptance.

This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of meads produced by mixed fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii and a kombucha culture, using eucalyptus- and rosemary-monofloral honeys. Antimicrobial activity was investigated in vitro against pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Listeria innocua, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus) and spoilage yeasts, over 28 days of storage. All tested matrices were autoclaved at 121 °C for 15 min before antimicrobial evaluation to eliminate viable fermentation microorganisms. Additionally, assays were conducted in simulated food systems at different substrate concentrations, characterizing organic acids, reducing sugars, and volatile compounds. Unfermented musts allowed survival of L. innocua and B. cereus, with rosemary honey showing stronger antimicrobial effects than eucalyptus. Kombucha exerted strong initial inhibition, possibly associated with its high organic acid concentrations, but did not completely inhibit the growth of Gram-positive bacteria. No pathogenic bacterial growth was detected in the fermented mead matrices, possibly due to reduced fermentable sugars, ethanol, organic acids, and other fermentation metabolites. Spoilage yeasts showed high tolerance to acid and osmotic stress, and efficacy decreased in substrate-rich systems. Importantly, the antimicrobial activity reported here refers specifically to autoclaved fermented matrices and does not necessarily apply to untreated fermented beverages.

Starches from various botanical sources are extensively utilized across food applications due to their functional and technological properties. However, native starches exhibit limitations under processing conditions involving heat, pH shifts, or mechanical stress, which restrict their application. In response, the demand for “clean-label” products has driven interest in sustainable and non-chemical modification strategies. This review aims to provide a critical overview of the effects of unconventional technologies—including ozone, ultrasound, high-pressure processing, high-pressure homogenization, pulsed electric fields, and cold plasma—on starch granule structure and the resulting pasting properties. A bibliometric analysis based on 1679 documents from Scopus and Web of Science^® highlighted a lack of previous studies integrating quantitative trends with in-depth technical discussion. The selected technologies demonstrate potential to enhance starch functionality through distinct modification mechanisms, although their effects are highly dependent on starch source, structure, and processing parameters. Despite promising advances, most applications remain restricted to laboratory scale, and further research is required to optimize conditions and promote industrial feasibility.

Mead is an alcoholic beverage obtained through the action of yeast in a diluted solution of honey and water. According to the literature, recent studies have demonstrated the potential of the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii in mixed fermentation with microbial sources such as kombucha and water kefir for the development of mead. Although mead produced by mixed fermentation of S. boulardii and water kefir has already been proposed, characteristics related to the shelf life and sensory profile of this product have not yet been evaluated. The present study aimed to determine the shelf life and sensory characteristics of potentially probiotic mead produced by mixed fermentation of S. boulardii and water kefir. The main results showed that mead produced by S. boulardii and water kefir has a shelf life of 60 days when stored at 7 ± 1 °C, with viable cell counts above 6 log CFU/mL for yeasts and lactic acid bacteria, meeting the minimum count recommended for probiotic foods. With regard to sensory characteristics, the product showed high sensory acceptability with scores above 7.0 points for all attributes evaluated and obtained a high purchase intention, with an average score of 5.17 points. In addition, mead by S. boulardii and water kefir was characterized by sensory attributes and terms described by panelists as effervescent, tasty, sweeter, refreshing, honey flavor, and less alcoholic. In conclusion, the potentially probiotic mead by mixed fermentation of S. boulardii and water kefir has an adequate shelf life and high sensory acceptance.

The global food supply is increasingly challenged by toxicologically relevant natural and synthetic chemicals, including mycotoxins, pesticides, heavy metals, and migrants from food packaging. Conventional physical and chemical detoxification approaches can reduce contaminant loads but may compromise nutritional and sensory quality or leave residues, motivating a shift toward biological strategies. This review synthesizes current evidence on Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii, a clinically established probiotic yeast, as a multifaceted biological detoxification agent in foods. We outline its dual modes of action: (i) rapid, reversible adsorption of contaminants mediated by the architecture of the yeast cell wall (β glucans, mannans, chitin), and (ii) active biotransformation through secreted proteins and enzymes. S. cerevisiae var. boulardii has been reported to remove up to 96.9% of aflatoxin M₁ in reconstituted milk, depending on strain, dose, contact time, pH, and matrix effects. We collate findings for other contaminant classes and highlight practical variables that govern efficacy, while comparing detoxification performance with bacterial probiotics and conventional methods. Critical knowledge gaps were highlighted, including standardized testing protocols, mechanistic resolution of adsorption versus degradation, stability and regeneration of binding capacity, sensory impacts, with scale up and regulatory pathways. A roadmap is proposed to harmonize methods and unlock the full potential of this promising biotherapeutic yeast for food safety applications.

Mead is a fermented alcoholic beverage obtained through a diluted honey solution and the action of yeasts. Although a potentially probiotic mead obtained by mixed fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii with kombucha has already been proposed in the scientific literature, aspects regarding the shelf life and sensory properties of this product must be evaluated in order to provide further knowledge for its potential market introduction. The present study aimed to evaluate the shelf life and sensory profile of potentially probiotic mead produced by mixed fermentation of S. boulardii and kombucha. The main results showed that the microorganisms in the mead exhibited fermentative metabolic activity, albeit reduced, under refrigerated storage conditions, with a decrease in soluble solids and an increase in alcohol content observed during storage. Mead with S. boulardii and kombucha maintained microbial viability above 6 log CFU/mL for both yeasts and lactic acid bacteria up to 60 days of storage, meeting the minimum recommended count for probiotic foods. For the sensory analysis, mead with S. boulardii and kombucha showed higher acceptance and purchase intention, being characterized by sensory attributes such as carbonated, effervescent, flavorful, honey taste, sweeter, refreshing, and less alcoholic. In conclusion, potentially probiotic mead produced with S. boulardii and kombucha presents a shelf life of 60 days and high sensory acceptability.

Mead is a fermented alcoholic beverage obtained by diluting honey in water and adding yeast. However, the addition of fruit to this beverage gives rise to melomel. In this study we are proposing an interesting novelty which consists of developing cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum) melomel by fermenting Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii. The aim of this study was to develop cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum) melomel produced by S. boulardii and to evaluate its physicochemical and microbiological characteristics after refrigerated storage at 4 °C. To do this, a central composite design (CCD) was employed, with two independent variables, i.e., the initial soluble solids content of the honey must (°Brix) and the concentration of the cupuaçu pulp (%). A standardized amount of 1 g/L of S. boulardii yeast was used at a temperature of 25 °C and a fermentation time of 30 days. Using the results of the central composite design (CCD), the best conditions for producing the beverage were defined according to the objectives of the study. Thus, the experimental comparison was carried out under the conditions of 25 °Brix of initial soluble solids in the honey must, 10% cupuaçu pulp, and 10 days of fermentation at 25 °C. The cupuaçu melomel exhibited a cell viability of the probiotic yeast S. boulardii above 10⁷ log CFU/mL, with an alcohol content of 8.22% (v/v), a pH of 3.43, a total acidity of 54.8 of (mEq/L), and soluble solids of 12.42°Brix. In addition, the beverage was subjected to simulated gastric and intestinal juices in vitro to evaluate the survival of the microorganisms under these conditions, and a concentration of 10⁶ log CFU/mL of S. boulardii was obtained. In this way, it was possible to produce a probiotic fermented alcoholic beverage made from honey and cupuaçu.

Mead is a fermented alcoholic beverage produced from a diluted solution of honey and yeast activity. The objectives of this study were to produce a potentially probiotic mead through mixed fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii and kombucha microorganisms and to evaluate fermentation kinetics, microbial cell survival and their in vitro resistance to simulated gastrointestinal transit, color parameters and the phenolic and antioxidant potential of the product. The main results of this study show that in order to develop a potentially probiotic mead utilizing the mixed fermentation of S. boulardii and kombucha microorganisms, the best condition was a concentration of 25 mL/L (v/v) of kombucha and 0.75 g/L (w/v) of S. boulardii with fermentation for 9 days at a temperature of 25 °C. In addition, at the end of fermentation, mead with kombucha and S. boulardii presented physicochemical characteristics with a pH of 3.48, 0.67% total acidity, 18.76 °Brix soluble solids and 4.77% alcohol content. The S. boulardii and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) present in the mead survived conditions reproducing those of the gastrointestinal tract, with counts of more than 6 Log₁₀ CFU/mL for both microorganisms after the intestinal phase. In the color analysis, the mead with kombucha and S. boulardii had a yellow color with the b* parameter corresponding to 35.93, luminosity (L*) equal to 76.09 and 1.82 for a*. In addition, the mead we produced contains quantities of phenolics and antioxidants. In conclusion, kombucha and S. boulardii are presented as alternative microbial sources for obtaining potentially probiotic mead.

This literature review explores cutting-edge microencapsulation techniques designed to enhance the antimicrobial efficacy of essential oils in dairy products. As consumer demand for natural preservatives rises, understanding the latest advancements in microencapsulation becomes crucial for improving the shelf life and safety of these products. The bibliometric analysis utilized in this review highlighted a large number of documents published on this topic in relation to the following keywords: essential oils, AND antimicrobials, AND dairy products, OR microencapsulation. The documents published in the last 11 years, between 2013 and 2023, showed a diversity of authors and countries researching this topic and the keywords commonly used. However, in the literature consulted, no study was identified that was based on bibliometric analysis and that critically evaluated the microencapsulation of essential oils and their antimicrobial potential in dairy products. This review synthesizes findings from diverse studies, shedding light on the various encapsulation methods employed and their impact on preserving the quality of dairy goods. Additionally, it discusses the potential applications and challenges associated with implementation in the dairy industry. This comprehensive analysis aims to provide valuable insights for researchers, food scientists, and industry professionals seeking to optimize the use of essential oils with antimicrobial properties in dairy formulations.

Mead is an alcoholic beverage obtained by fermenting a dilute solution of honey with yeasts. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a probiotic mead from the co-fermentation of water kefir and Sacharomyces boulardii. According to the results, the combination of 10 g/L of water kefir grains and 0.75 g/L of S. boulardii, with a fermentation time of 9 days, produced a probiotic mead with a viable cell count of more than 8 Log₁₀ CFU/mL of S. boulardii and also for lactic acid bacteria, respectively. S. boulardii and lactic acid bacteria showed counts of over 6 Log₁₀ CFU/mL after gastrointestinal simulation in vitro, with a survival rate of over 70%. Probiotic mead has good luminosity (L*), a tendency to yellow color and the presence of total phenolic compounds and antioxidants. In conclusion, the co-fermentation of water kefir and S. boulardii has potential for the development of probiotic mead.