DEVELOPMENT OF A CALCIUM-FORTIFIED DRINK BASED ON KEFIR, EGGSHELL, CITRIC FRUITS, AND TAP WATER

Abstract

Calcium is an essential and critical component of human health. However, most people do not cover daily calcium recommendations. Therefore, a calcium-based drink, called BEVERAGE, is developed in order to offer an alternative source of this mineral to the population. A combination of kefir, eggshell, citric fruits, and tap water were investigated. Orange was selected because it provides the highest amount of carbohydrates for fermentation, and it is accessible to the population. The proportion of components that produce the highest concentration of calcium in the BEVERAGE was with 10 g of kefir, 6 g of eggshell, 200 ml of orange juice, and 800 ml of tap water, 20 ºC, and 72 h of incubation. With these conditions, the BEVERAGE was fortified with 600 mg calcium/liter. In addition, the intestinal absorption of calcium was evaluated through an ex vivo model of the everted small intestinal sacs, proving to be higher than the control solutions (water+CaCl₂, juice+CaCl₂). This study provides a methodology to prepare at home a beverage that could contribute to increase daily calcium intake.