Selection of promising yeasts for starter culture development promoter of cocoa fermentation

The selection of promising microorganisms that meet the requirements of a fermentation process is the most important stage in the development of microbiological starters. With the objective of selecting potential strains to be integrated as microbiological starters in cocoa fermentations, which promote biochemical dynamics, improving their sensory quality, the resistance of six yeasts (GRAS), isolated from cocoa fermenting masses in the departments, was evaluated. from Tolima, Huila and Antioquia, two commercial yeasts ATCC 28253 and ATCC 36633 selected for their aromatic production, subjecting them to resistance tests, at different concentrations of soluble solids (10, 15 and 20 degrees Brix), ethanol (5, 10%), acetic acid (pH 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7) and temperature (30, 40 and 50 degrees C), which simulated the biochemical dynamics of cocoa fermentation, quantifying its resistance expressed in viable cells. Aromatic production was measured by sensory evaluation. The yeasts Wickerhamomyces anomalus and Pichia kudriavzevii were selected for their ability to transform substrate into products of interest during the fermentation of cocoa pulp, production of specific aromas and resistance to adverse biochemical conditions typical of cocoa fermentation.