Cocoa butter is the pure butter extracted from cocoa beans and is a major ingredient in the chocolate industry. Global production of cocoa is in decline due to crop failure, diseases and ageing plantations, leading to price fluctuations and the necessity for the industry to find high quality cocoa butter alternatives. This study explored the potential of a wild mango (Mangifera sylvatica), an u...

Qualitative interviews with participants in the cocoa (Theobroma cacao) supply chain in Costa Rica and the United States were conducted and supplemented with an analysis of the marketing literature to examine the prospects of organic and Fairtrade certification for enhancing environmentally and socially responsible trade of cocoa from Costa Rica. Respondents were familiar with both systems, and...

There are five main groups of microorganisms that participate in fermenting cocoa: filamentous fungi, yeasts, lactic acid bacteria, acetic acid bacteria, and various Bacillus species [1]. Fungi, yeasts, lactic acid bacteria, and acetic acid bacteria are active mainly in the first stage (from 0 to 48h). Yeasts convert sugar from the mucilage of cocoa beans into alcohol, and break the pectin down...

Agriculture is an important sector in Ghana's economy, however, with high risk due to natural factors like climate change, pests and diseases and bush fires among others. Farmers in the Brong-Ahafo region of Ghana which is known as one of the major cocoa producing regions, face these risks which sometimes results in crop failure. The need for farmers to therefore insure their farms against crop...

This paper compiles the beneficial effects of cocoa polyphenols on human health, especially with regard to cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, metabolic disorders, and cancer prevention. Their antioxidant properties may be responsible for many of their pharmacological effects, including the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the protection of LDL-cholesterol against oxidation, and incre...

Crystallization behavior of fats and oils is an important structuration characteristic when developing products with desirable and stable microstructure, texture and quality during processing and storage. Depending on the lipid matrix composition and on the production process, different crystalline network will be formed, with specific physicochemical properties. Therefore, the crystallization ...

Extracts of defatted cocoa inhibited the biosynthesis of extracellular polysaccharide by both cell-free and cell-associated streptococcal glucosyltransferases, but did not affect growth or acid production. Both water-insoluble and water-soluble polysaccharide syntheses were inhibited, and the net result was a shift away from adherence-supportive polysaccharide. Inhibition was non-competitive wi...

Cocoa powder is rich in polyphenols, such as catechins and procyanidins, and has been shown to inhibit low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and atherogenesis in a variety of models. Human studies have also shown daily intake of cocoa increases plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and decreases LDL levels. However, the mechanisms responsible for these effects of cocoa on cholesterol metaboli...

Cocoa beans from several types of post harvest treatments were processed into cocoa butter, cocoa powder and chocolate spread using traditional processing techniques. OTA was analyzed in two hundred and sixteen (216) samples of cocoa and cocoa derived products using HPLC with fluorimetric detection. It was found that OTA content in cocoa nibs depended only on the state of cocoa pod and the time...

Cocoa butter is the characteristic fat ingredient of chocolate industries, presenting itself as the most important component in all formulations. Its crystallization is a critical factor associated with the structure and properties of many confectionery foods. The stability of rich-fat processed products is influenced by changes in crystallization processes. With respect to these characteristic...