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Acid whey is a byproduct of cheesemaking that is difficult to use because of its low pH and less-favorable processing properties compared with rennet whey. The aim of this study was to evaluate the qualities of fermented beverages made using acid whey. In manufacturing the beverages, we used probiotic cultures Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 or Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB-12. The production process included combining pasteurized acid whey with UHT milk, unsweetened condensed milk, or skim milk powder. We introduced milk to enrich casein content and obtain a product with characteristics similar to that of fermented milk drinks. The products were stored under refrigerated conditions (5 ± 1°C) for 21 d. During storage, we assessed the beverages' physicochemical properties and organoleptic characteristics. The properties of the beverages depended on their composition, microbial culture, and storage time. Beverages containing L. acidophilus had higher acidity, which increased during storage; the acidity of samples containing B. animalis was more stable. Beverages made with skim milk powder (La1 and Bb1) had higher acetaldehyde content, but this parameter decreased in all samples during storage. The hardness of the samples did not change during storage and was highest in beverage La3, made from whey, condensed milk, and L. acidophilus. Beverage La2, made from whey, milk, condensed milk, and L. acidophilus, had the best sensory properties. The whey beverages we developed provided a good medium for the probiotic bacteria; bacteria count throughout the storage period exceeded 8 log cfu/mL, distinctly higher than the minimum therapeutic dose.

Frozen yogurt is a type of dairy product that is considered to be a more healthful alternative to conventional ice cream due to its lower fat content and the presence of viable lactic acid bacteria. Lactose-free products are a growing trend in the dairy industry, and lactose-free yogurts and ice creams can both be found on the market. However, lactose-free frozen yogurt has not yet reached the market. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of adding κ-carrageenan (0.05, 0.1, and 0.15%) and corn starch (1, 2, and 3%) on acidity, texture, viscosity, overrun, melting properties, color attributes, and sensory characteristics of lactose-free frozen yogurts. Lactose was reduced by enzymatic hydrolysis during the fermentation process. The effectiveness of the hydrolysis was measured by HPLC, and lactose was reduced to 0.05% after 80 min of incubation with the enzyme. The addition of stabilizers did not change overrun and melting properties of frozen yogurt, but it did affect pH, titratable acidity, and color parameters. The product with 0.15% κ-carrageenan had the highest hardness and stickiness values. Moreover, κ-carrageenan had a positive effect on sensory attractiveness of lactose-free frozen yogurt, and it reduced the coarse texture in comparison with the control without stabilizers. A lactose-free frozen yogurt with good quality and nutritional characteristics was produced, particularly with the use of κ-carrageenan as stabilizer.

The aim of the study was to use 3 monocultures of Bifidobacterium (Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis AD600, Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB-12, and Bifidobacterium longum AD50) in fermented goat milk to assess the microbial, physicochemical, rheological, and sensory quality of beverages during a 3-wk storage period at 5°C. The results indicated that selected bifidobacteria may be used for production of fermented goat milk because they comply with the minimum standards specified by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization during the entire period of storage. However, goat milk fermented by Bif. longum AD50 had less than 106 cfu/g after 21 d of storage. The acidity, acetaldehyde content, viscosity, and hardness of fermented goat milk beverages depended on the strain and the storage period. Sensory properties were similar and acceptable, with a tendency for the quality to be reduced with an extended storage time. Depending on the monoculture of bifidobacteria used to manufacture fermented goat milk, the product had a different pH value. Titratable acidity in all fermented goat milk increased significantly along with the time of storage. Our study has shown that monocultures of bifidobacteria had a significant effect on the content of acetaldehyde, but the lowest effect over the entire storage period was observed in goat milk fermented by Bif. animalis ssp. lactis BB-12. This sample also had the lowest viscosity values compared with other samples and the best organoleptic properties during a 3-wk storage period.