Development of a potentially functional chocolate spread containing probiotics and structured triglycerides

New functional hazelnut and chocolate spreads, containing the probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium CRL 183 and different concentrations of medium-long-medium (MLM)-type structured triacylglycerols (TAGs) were developed. TAGs did not alter the viability of the probiotic strain, during 180 days of storage at 20 degrees C. The formulations presented similar contents of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, water activity below 0.5, thermal stability and were microbiologically stable. The decrease of saturated fat had a negative effect on the rheological properties of the spreads, with reduction on viscosity, Casson yield value and texture parameters. However, only the spread with 75% substitution of vegetable fat by structured TAG showed severe reduction in rheological properties that affected the product spreadability. The use of probiotic strain and replacement of fat (50%) by MLM-type TAG resulted in a new functional chocolate spread with significant increment in medium-chain and unsaturated fatty acids.