One component that contribute to the flavor and aroma of chocolate are the polyphenols, which have received much attention due to their beneficial implications to human health. Besides bioactive action, polyphenols and methylxantines are responsible for astringency and bitterness in cocoa beans. Another important point is its drastic reduction during cocoa processing for chocolate production and the difference between cultivars. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the modifications in monomeric phenolic compounds and methylxanthines during fermentation of three cocoa cultivars grown in southern Bahia. Cocoa beans from three cultivars were fermented and sun dried and monomeric phenolic compounds and methylxantines were determinated. The results showed that each cultivar have different amounts of phenolic compounds and the behaviour of them is different during fermentation. The amount of methylxantines varied but there was not a pattern for methylxantines behavior during process. In addition a huge reduction in phenolic compounds could be observed after drying. Differently of phenolic compounds, methylxantines did not have great modification after sun drying. So, the differences observed in this study between cultivars, take to the conclusion that the compounds studied in those cocoa cultivars have different behavior during fermentation and drying, which consequently, give to these cultivars differences in sensory characteristics.

The "witch broom disease" caused by the fungus called Moniliophthora perniciosa is one of the most important cocoa diseases in Latin America, causing around 70% production reduction in the southern Bahia. In attempt to solve the problem, many cultivars resistant to the disease have been recommended to farmers. On the other hand, the chocolate flavour is composed by many compounds whose formation depends on the genetic background, environment where cocoa is grown and processing operations. Therefore, this work aimed at determining the monomeric phenolic compounds, methylxanthines and antioxidant activity of cocoa mass and dark chocolate from cocoa cultivars resistant to "witch broom disease" and non resistant to the disease. The total phenolic compounds in cocoa mass did not vary among cultivars with values ranging from 23.95mg g-1 to 25.03mg g-1. Chocolates made from non resistant cultivars showed higher total phenolic compounds (19.11mg g-1) than SR162 and PH16 with 16.08mg g-1 and 15.46mg g-1, respectively. Epicatechin had higher content than catechin and the levels of these two compounds were higher in SR162. There were significant differences among samples of cocoa mass analyzed for caffeine. Chocolate made from SR162 had the highest amount of monomeric compounds due to its high concentration of catechin and epicatechin. The chocolate sample with the highest antioxidant activity was the SR162, followed by non resistant blend and PH16, showing relationship between the antioxidant activity and monomeric phenolics content.

This study aimed to develop an analytical method using HS-SPME/GC-MS to determine the volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles and evaluate the sensory attributes of cocoa honey from four cocoa varieties (CCN51, PS1319, SJ02, and Parazinho). Using a multivariate factorial experimental design, the HS-SPME/GC-MS method was optimized to determine the VOC profiles. Twenty previously trained tasters participated in the ranking descriptive analysis, while 108 consumers participated in the acceptance and purchase intention tests. A total of 84 volatile organic compounds were identified from various chemical classes, including acids, alcohols, aldehydes, esters, ketones, monoterpenes, oxygenated monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenes, and oxygenated sesquiterpenoids. Palmitic acid was the compound found in the highest concentration in all varieties (5.13–13.10%). Multivariate analysis tools identified key compounds for differentiation and grouping of the samples. The results revealed that the variety significantly influenced both the VOCs’ concentrations and sensory profiles. The CCN51, PS1319, and SJ02 varieties exhibited the highest diversity of VOCs and sensory attributes. Notably, the SJ02 and CCN51 varieties demonstrated superior acceptability and purchase intention, with means ranging from 7.21 and 7.08 to 3.71 and 3.56, respectively. These results indicate their potential as promising sources of cocoa honey for the food industry.

The reactions leading to the formation of precursors of chocolate flavor are performed by endogenous enzymes present in the cocoa seed. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) presence and activity during fermentation of cocoa beans is responsible for the development of flavor precursors and is also implicated in the reduction of bitterness and astringency. However, the reliability of cocoa enzyme activities is complicated due to variations in different genotypes, geographical origins and methods of fermentation. In addition, there is still a lack of systematic studies comparing different cocoa cultivars. So, the present study was designed to characterize the activity of PPO in the pulp and seeds of two cocoa cultivars, PH 16 and TSH 1188. The PPO activity was determined spectrophotometrically and characterized as the optimal substrate concentration, pH and temperature and the results were correlated with the conditions during the fermentation process. The results showed the specificity and differences between the two cocoa cultivars and between the pulp and seeds of each cultivar. It is suggested that specific criteria must be adopted for each cultivar, based on the optimal PPO parameters, to prolong the period of maximum PPO activity during fermentation, contributing to the improvement of the quality of cocoa beans.

O chocolate pode ser definido como uma suspensão de partículas sólidas (açúcar, sólidos de cacau e sólidos de leite) em uma fase gordurosa contínua, que contribui para o aroma, o sabor e a cor, além de promover forma ao produto final. A reologia de chocolates é quantificada durante a produção usando-se dois parâmetros: tensão inicial (yield stress) e viscosidade aparente (plástica), em que, geralmente, se utiliza o modelo de Casson. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar reologicamente formulações de chocolates produzidos a partir de diferentes cultivares de cacau. As amostras de chocolate foram formuladas com 73,6% de cacau e foram realizadas as seguintes análises: determinação do teor de lipídeos; composição em triacilgliceróis; testes reológicos, e análise do tamanho máximo de partículas. O chocolate proveniente da cultivar PH16 apresentou menor conteúdo de gordura (36,53 g.100 g–1), maior tamanho de partículas (21 µm), maior valor de tensão inicial (20,91 Pa) e maior área de histerese, com mais ampla tixotropia quando comparada às amostras dos chocolates provenientes das cultivares SR162 e Convencional. Os resultados encontrados no estudo reológico mostraram a interferência do conteúdo de gordura e do tamanho de partículas na tensão inicial dos produtos.