Abstract Kefir is a fermented beverage that deserves special attention, since it has probiotic activity and unique sensory, nutritional, and therapeutic properties. Given that both kefir and soymilk are beneficial to human health, this study aimed to assess the physicochemical characteristics and acceptability of soymilk Kefir-based functional beverages (SKB) properly inoculated with lactobacilli strain after 16h of incubation at 37 °C. It was monitored lactobacilli cell viability, yeasts count, pH, titratable acidity, lipids, proteins, ash, total solid, carbohydrates, caloric values and acceptability of the products. Additionally was conducted a shelf-life study of SKB added of peach-flavor. The lactobacilli cell count ranged from 7.0 to 8.0 Log10 CFUmL-1 and pH values from 4.5 to 4.6. SKB samples with higher soymilk kefir percent presented higher lactobacilli cell count and lower lipid, ash, total solid, carbohydrate and caloric value. Results showed similar preferential rates for the SKB up to 30% of added soymilk kefir. The functional peach-flavored beverage presented appropriate pH value (4.3) and high viable cells count (7.0 Log10 CFUmL-1) up to the 28th day of cold storage, showed high acceptability (94.5%) and positive purchase intention (83.4%) among consumers.

Este trabalho avaliou os documentos de patentes depositados no Brasil que fazem referência aos termos probióticos, prebióticos e simbióticos. Os dados foram selecionados nas bases de dados do Instituto Nacional de Propriedade Industrial e do European Patent Office. O ano de 2010 apresentou maior número de patentes depositadas. As indústrias de alimentos e farmacêuticas formam os setores de maior destaque, representando juntas 70% dos depósitos de patentes nesse ramo. Entre as patentes do setor alimentício, 77,55% dos depósitos foram efetuados por empresas, recebendo destaque a Nestlé S.A. A busca através dos termos relacionados revela que o Brasil tem um universo de 101 pedidos de proteção de patentes no Instituto Nacional de Propriedade Industrial e que desse total apenas 22,45% foram oriundos de depositantes do próprio país, implicando na necessidade de ampliar o incentivo à proteção das propriedades industriais para geração de novos produtos.

This study evaluated the patent documents filed in Brazil that reference to probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics terms. The data were selected from the databases of the National Institute of Industrial Property of Brazil and the European Patent Office. The year 2010 had the highest number of patents. The food industries and pharmaceutical sectors form the most prominent, together representing 70% of patent applications in this field. Among the patents in the food sector, 77.55% of the deposits were made by companies getting highlighted Nestlé SA A search through the related terms reveals that Brazil has a population of 101 applications for patent protection in the National Institute of Industrial Property and of this total only 22.45% were derived from depositors own, implying the need to expand the incentive to protection of industrial property to generate new products.