Kefiran biopolymer: Evaluation of its physicochemical and biological properties

Kefiran, an exopolysaccharide produced by lactic acid bacteria, has received a great interest due to a variety of health claims. In this study, we aim to investigate the physicochemical and biological properties of Kefiran polysaccharide extracted from Portuguese kefir grains. The kefir growth rate was about 56% (w/w) at room temperature and the kefir pH after 24 h was about 4.6. The obtained yield of Kefiran polysaccharide extracted from the kefir grains was about 4.26% (w/w). The Kefiran structural features were showed in the 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum. The bands observed in the infrared spectrum confirmed that the Kefiran had a β-configuration; and the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis confirmed the structure and composition of Kefiran and revealed a C/O atomic ratio of 1.46. Moreover, Kefiran showed an average molecular weight (Mw) of 534 kDa and a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of 357 kDa. Regarding the rheological data obtained, Kefiran showed an interesting adhesive performance accompanied by a pseudoplastic behavior, and the extrusion force of Kefiran was 1 N. Furthermore, Kefiran exhibited a higher resistance to hyaluronidase degradation than hyaluronic acid. Finally, Kefiran showed a lack of cytotoxic response through its ability to support metabolic activity and proliferation of L929 cells, and had no effect on these cells’ morphology. Our research suggested that Kefiran polymer has attractive and interesting properties for a wide range of biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.H.R., C.G., and F.R.M. were supported by grants with reference SFRH/BPD/100957/2014, SFRH/ BPD/94277/2013, and SFRH/BPD/117492/2016, respectively, of Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) from Portugal. J.M.O. thanks the FCT for the funds provided under the program Investigador 2015 (IF/01285/2015).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

CARPATHIAN JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The effects of probiotic cultures including Enterococcus faecium, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei and prebiotics including inulin, oligofructose and their blends on fatty acid and organic acid compositions of goat-milk white cheese were examined throughout 90-day storage period. Goat-milk cheeses were produced in an industrial plant following the standard production procedure for white cheeses, with some modifications. The highest value of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in experimental cheeses were found be palmitic acid (C16) and oleic acid (C18: 1) respectively. The most abundant organic acid among all experimental samples was lactic acid whereas the lowest one was acetic acid. The results indicated that the probiotic culture type and the percentage of prebiotic added to goat milk effected fatty and organic acid contents of goat-milk white cheeses at different levels

GRASAS Y ACEITES

Kashar cheese was produced from whole milk (MF) or skim milk homogenized with a commercial vegetable fat blend (VF) by the traditional procedure. The resulting cheese was stored for 3 months at 5 degrees C, and analyzed initially for its gross composition and cholesterol content. In addition, the proteolysis and lipolysis, organic acid content and fatty acid composition were studied during the ripening of the cheese. The replacement of milk fat with a vegetable fat blend mainly affected pH, total solids and cholesterol content in the initial composition of the cheese (P < 0.05). The acid degree value and tyrosine contents in both types of cheese increased throughout ripening and significant differences were found between the cheeses after only 30 days of ripening (P < 0.05). The organic acid concentrations of both cheeses changed during ripening (P < 0.05) except for citric and oxalic acids. MF cheese showed higher levels of citric, succinic and oxalic acids especially towards to the end of ripening. Palmitic acid was the dominant fatty acid in MF cheese while the most abundant fatty acids in VF cheese were palmitic and oleic acid. The higher unsaturated fatty acid composition of the VF cheese has attracted attention from the healthy food image point of view

AFRICAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY RESEARCH

The physicochemical, microbiological and sensory characterization of kefir samples produced from cow/soy milk mixtures was carried out during storage at refrigerated conditions. Gross composition of samples was very closely related except lactose contents. Tyrosine levels of kefirs were also very similar. Leucine contents were increased with the raised soymilk ratio. Serum separation increased during storage for all samples. The lowest viscosity value was obtained when the soymilk were mixed to cow milk in a ratio of 50:50. Lactic acid was the highest one among the other organic acids. Microbiological population was not affected with addition of soymilk significantly. Generally sensory scores decreased with increasing soymilk ratio

JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES-TARIM BILIMLERI DERGISI

The aim of this study is to determine the antioxidant properties of kefir samples produced from different cow/soy milk mixtures. Antioxidative activities such as the inhibition of ascorbate autoxidation, reducing activity, the scavenging effect of superoxide anion radicals and hydrogen peroxide of kefir samples were determined. Kefirs produced from whole soymilk had the highest inhibition rate of ascorbate autoxidation. Reducing activities of kefir samples, expressed as equivalent amounts of cysteine, were found statistically different and elevated by increased soymilk ratio. Results of the inhibition of superoxide radical generation of cow, cow/soy and soymilk kefir samples were found statistically different. However, the effect of fermentation on this activity neither with kefir grain nor culture was significant. Results indicated that none of kefir samples exhibit a hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity

JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES-TARIM BILIMLERI DERGISI

Winter yoghurt is one of the most popular dairy products in Van and Hatay region of Turkey. It is made of different kinds of milk, and known as cooked yoghurt or salted yoghurt due to its high solids content and long shelf life. In this study, two different concentration methods were used to produce traditional winter yoghurt. Some physical (firmness and cohesiveness, L-, a- and b- values), chemical (total solid, fat, protein, pH, lactic acid, salt) and sensory analyses (color, odor, consistent and flavor) were made to determine the effect of production methods and storage on winter yoghurt samples at the 1st, 30th, 60th and 90th days. Significant differences were found between sensory, rheological properties and color values of winter yoghurts however no significant differences were found between physicochemical properties of the samples. Especially, winter yoghurts produced from 100% goat milk were the more appreciated samples

BULGARIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

Telli (threaded) cheese is a hard cheese variety produced in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey. Physicochemical, biochemical, textural and sensory properties of cow milk Telli cheese samples were investigated during 90 days of storage. Cheese samples were characterized with their high total solids (54.44%), fat (25.25%) and protein (25.14%) contents. Lactic acid was the first abundant organic acid in cheeses. The most abundant saturated fatty acids were palmitic, stearic and myristic acids while the oleic acid was found to have the highest level among the unsaturated fatty acids. Lipolysis and proteolysis of samples were increased throughout storage

Kefir

WOS: 00040370330001

White cheese

WOS: 000342056400012White brined (or pickled) cheeses are ripened and stored in brine and they are manufactured in almost every part of the world under various names and by different processing methods. White cheeses are widely produced and popular in the Mediterranean countries, the Balkans, the Middle East and the eastern Europe. Traditionally, they are produced from ovine or caprine milk. White brined cheeses have generally a unique acidic and salty taste and soft to semi-hard texture without a rind. General properties and production technologies of Feta and Beyaz Peynir (Turkish white cheese), brined cheeses with a significant economic value, are reviewed in this chapter