Evaluación oxidativa, microbiológica, sensorial y perfil de ácidos grasos de un yogur con ácido docosahexaenoico (DHA) extraído de aceite de microalgas

Abstract

The needs for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are increased during pregnancy for the visual and neurological development of the fetus and the breastfed infant. In this study, a yogurt with microalgae oil added to contribute to the dietary recommendation of DHA in pregnant and breastfeeding women was developed and evaluated. Three yogurt formulations were designed with 0.075; 0.125 and 0.175 microalgae oil percentage and compared with a control sample. Fatty acid profile, antioxidant potential (ABTS, total phenols), lipid peroxidation (thiobarbitrical acid reactive substances [TBARS]), physicochemical, sensory, and microbiological properties were evaluated. Yogurts with microalgae oil added covered 30, 45 and 63% of DHA recommendations for pregnant and breastfeeding women per portion (200 mL). Fat acid stability was observed, except in the one with the greatest oil addition. The sample with 0.125% of microalgae oil added was rated the highest by the sensory panel. All samples met the microbiological and physicochemical standard for a whole yogurt added with sugar. Promising antioxidant potential capable of protecting DHA was observed in the yogurt. We conclude that dairy drinks such as yogurt are suitable matrices for adding microalgae oil in order to increase DHA in the diet, especially in stages where the needs of this component are higher as is the case during pregnancy and lactation periods.