Probiotic fermented beverages based on acid whey

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.