Alternative fermentation method of cocoa beans: The use of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum HL-15 as starter culture and valorization of cocoa pulp by-product

Inconsistency in quality remains a problem for Indonesian cocoa beans. This resulted in low-priced cocoa beans, significantly affecting the livelihood of its farmers. Optimization in cocoa bean processing methods focused on practical and high-value-added technology is urgently needed to solve the issue. This study aimed to evaluate the potential application of an alternative method based on de pulping treatment and adding Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum HL-15 as a starter culture in cocoa post-harvest processing. The physical and sensorial quality of cocoa beans obtained from the method were evaluated. Microbiological growth patterns during fermentation were analyzed to better understand the effect of L. plantarum HL-15 addition. Economic comparative analysis was done to assess the feasibility of implementing the alternative method. The results showed that depulping and adding L. plantarum HL-15 before fermentation could produce high-quality cocoa beans with an outstanding sensory profile. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum HL-15 exhibited the ability to regulate microorganism consortia and suppress the growth of fungi. Combining this fermentation technique with by-product utilization based on the production of probiotic drinks could support the smallholder's livelihood by increasing the added value of cocoa beans and providing significant income.