title: Effect of pulp preconditioning on acidification, proteolysis, sugars and free fatty acids concentration during fermentation of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) beans.
abstract: Changes in acidification, proteolysis, sugars and free fatty acids (FFAs) concentrations of Ghanaian cocoa beans as affected by pulp preconditioning (pod storage or PS) and fermentation were investigated. Non-volatile acidity, pH, proteolysis, sugars (total, reducing and non-reducing) and FFAs concentrations were analysed using standard methods. Increasing PS consistently decreased the non-volatile acidity with concomitant increase in pH during fermentation of the beans. Fermentation decreased the pH of the unstored beans from 6.7 to 4.9 within the first 4 days and then increased slightly again to 5.3 by the sixth day. Protein, total sugars and non-reducing sugars decreased significantly (p < 0.05) during fermentation, whereas reducing sugars and FFA increased. PS increased the FFA levels, reduced the protein content but did not have any effect on the sugars. The rate of total and non-reducing sugars degeneration with concomitant generation of reducing sugars in the cocoa beans was largely affected by fermentation than by PS.
authors: Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Ghana, PO Box LG 134, Legon-Accra, Ghana. e_afoakwa@yahoo.com
authors: Emmanuel Ohene
authors: EO
authors: Afoakwa
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Quao
authors: Agnes Simpson
authors: AS
authors: Budu
authors: Jemmy
authors: J
authors: Takrama
authors: Firibu Kwesi
authors: FK
authors: Saalia