Fermentation of Lactose in Direct-Acid-Set Cottage Cheese Whey

Kluyveromyces fragilis was more suitable than Candida pseudotropicalis or Kluyveromyces lactis for production of ethanol from whey. Direct-acid-set cottage cheese whey and the supernatant fluid resulting from heat treatment of the whey at 95 C for 20 min showed similar rates of fermentation when inoculated with K. fragilis . Inoculation rates of 10, 12 and 14 ml of active K. fragilis culture per 100 ml of media were not significantly different in rate of ethanol production. Samples incubated with K. fragilis at 35, 37, 40 and 42 C showed more rapid reduction in specific gravity than samples incubated at room temperature or 30 C. Lactose conversion in whey was 83% complete and in whey supernatant fluid, 77%.