Evaluation of the fermentative activity of lactic cultures for dehydrated yogurt with the use of various additives

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the fermentative activity of dehydrated lactic cultures with the use of various additives and vacuum drying, using yogurt as a model system.

Design/methodology/approach: The yogurt was made with commercial lactic cultures (YF-L705 Yo-Flex CHR HANSEN) inoculated in whole milk incubated for 4 h/42°C. The yogurt was centrifuged at 6,000 rpm/15 min/4°C. The supernatant was removed, and the following additives were added to the precipitate: 1) SN, without additives, 2) Glycerol, 3) Calcium carbonate, 4) Yeast extract, 5) Glycerol and calcium carbonate, 6) Glycerol, calcium carbonate and yeast extract. The drying of 6 treatments was done up to 96h inside vacuum desiccators. Weight and moisture loss were recorded at 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96h. The dehydrated portions with the additives 1,2,3,4,5,6 was used as inoculums in milk for the production of yogurt; recording the drop in pH up to 24h and FTIR. As a control, non-dehydrated and lyophilized portion of yogurt were used.

Results: The drying time at constant weight was 3 days. Dehydrated cultures containing yeast extract and calcium carbonate are associated with faster milk fermentation activity (p ≤ 0.05). Yoghurts manufactured with fresh cultures take 4 hours to ferment, dehydrated ones take over 12 hours. Infrared spectra show that yogurts produced with fresh or dried strains are of similar qualities.

Study limitations/implications: The fermentative activity in dehydrated foods improves when alkalis are added, such as calcium carbonate, which is an antacid and releases CO2 upon contact with water and acid, stimulating anaerobiosis. Infrared spectra show that yogurts produced with fresh or dried strains are of similar qualities.

Findings/conclusions: The best model to present the fermentation pH change curve is a Boltzman sigmoidal function. Yogurts with fresh or dried cultures differed in the time at which the milk is fermented. The fermentative activity in dehydrated foods improves when alkalis are added, such as calcium carbonate, which is an antacid and releases CO2 on contact with water, stimulating anaerobiosis. Infrared spectra show that yogurts produced with fresh or dried strains are of similar qualities.