Modulating Yogurt Fermentation Through Pulsed Electric Fields and Influence of Milk Fat Content

Yogurt is a highly consumed dairy product valued for its nutritional and probiotic properties. Its production involves the use of lactic acid bacteria, which drive biochemical transformations during fermentation. Optimizing fermentation time without compromising yogurt quality is essential for impro...

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Main Authors: Graciela A. Miranda-Mejía, Anaberta Cardador-Martínez, Viridiana Tejada-Ortigoza, Mariana Morales-de la Peña, Olga Martín-Belloso
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/11/1927
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author Graciela A. Miranda-Mejía
Anaberta Cardador-Martínez
Viridiana Tejada-Ortigoza
Mariana Morales-de la Peña
Olga Martín-Belloso
author_facet Graciela A. Miranda-Mejía
Anaberta Cardador-Martínez
Viridiana Tejada-Ortigoza
Mariana Morales-de la Peña
Olga Martín-Belloso
author_sort Graciela A. Miranda-Mejía
collection DOAJ
description Yogurt is a highly consumed dairy product valued for its nutritional and probiotic properties. Its production involves the use of lactic acid bacteria, which drive biochemical transformations during fermentation. Optimizing fermentation time without compromising yogurt quality is essential for improving processing efficiency. Pulsed electric fields (PEFs) constitute a promising technology that stimulates microbial activity. In this study, a yogurt starter inoculum suspended in milk (IM) with different fat content (0.5–2.8%) was treated with low-intensity PEFs (1 kV/cm, 800–1600 µs) to enhance fermentation kinetics. pH, soluble solids, lactose, lactic acid, and riboflavin concentrations were monitored during 6 h, comparing PEF-treated IM (PEF-IM) and untreated IM (C-IM). PEF-treatments applied to IM reduced the fermentation time of inoculated milk by 4.3–20.4 min compared to C-IM. The lowest fermentation time (5.1 ± 0.16 h) was observed in milk added with PEF-IM (2.8% fat) treated at 1 kV/cm for 1600 µs. Milk inoculated with PEF-IM exhibited enhanced lactose consumption (1.6–3.1%) and higher lactic acid production (7.2%) than milk with C-IM. Riboflavin concentration (0.9–7%) decreased between 2 and 4 h, but it stabilized at the end of fermentation. Obtained results suggest that PEFs promote reversible electroporation in microbial cells, facilitating nutrient uptake and acidification, making it a promising assisted-fermentation approach to improve yogurt production.
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spelling doaj-art-8b95ee22b05947ad8d1e5a7b89529faa2025-08-20T02:23:07ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-05-011411192710.3390/foods14111927Modulating Yogurt Fermentation Through Pulsed Electric Fields and Influence of Milk Fat ContentGraciela A. Miranda-Mejía0Anaberta Cardador-Martínez1Viridiana Tejada-Ortigoza2Mariana Morales-de la Peña3Olga Martín-Belloso4Tecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey 64849, NL, MexicoTecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Epigmenio González 500, Querétaro 76130, MexicoTecnologico de Monterrey, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey 64849, NL, MexicoDepartment of Food Technology, Engineering and Science, Universitat de Lleida, Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, SpainDepartment of Food Technology, Engineering and Science, Universitat de Lleida, Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, SpainYogurt is a highly consumed dairy product valued for its nutritional and probiotic properties. Its production involves the use of lactic acid bacteria, which drive biochemical transformations during fermentation. Optimizing fermentation time without compromising yogurt quality is essential for improving processing efficiency. Pulsed electric fields (PEFs) constitute a promising technology that stimulates microbial activity. In this study, a yogurt starter inoculum suspended in milk (IM) with different fat content (0.5–2.8%) was treated with low-intensity PEFs (1 kV/cm, 800–1600 µs) to enhance fermentation kinetics. pH, soluble solids, lactose, lactic acid, and riboflavin concentrations were monitored during 6 h, comparing PEF-treated IM (PEF-IM) and untreated IM (C-IM). PEF-treatments applied to IM reduced the fermentation time of inoculated milk by 4.3–20.4 min compared to C-IM. The lowest fermentation time (5.1 ± 0.16 h) was observed in milk added with PEF-IM (2.8% fat) treated at 1 kV/cm for 1600 µs. Milk inoculated with PEF-IM exhibited enhanced lactose consumption (1.6–3.1%) and higher lactic acid production (7.2%) than milk with C-IM. Riboflavin concentration (0.9–7%) decreased between 2 and 4 h, but it stabilized at the end of fermentation. Obtained results suggest that PEFs promote reversible electroporation in microbial cells, facilitating nutrient uptake and acidification, making it a promising assisted-fermentation approach to improve yogurt production.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/11/1927pulsed electric fieldsyogurtfermentationlactic acid bacteria
spellingShingle Graciela A. Miranda-Mejía
Anaberta Cardador-Martínez
Viridiana Tejada-Ortigoza
Mariana Morales-de la Peña
Olga Martín-Belloso
Modulating Yogurt Fermentation Through Pulsed Electric Fields and Influence of Milk Fat Content
Foods
pulsed electric fields
yogurt
fermentation
lactic acid bacteria
title Modulating Yogurt Fermentation Through Pulsed Electric Fields and Influence of Milk Fat Content
title_full Modulating Yogurt Fermentation Through Pulsed Electric Fields and Influence of Milk Fat Content
title_fullStr Modulating Yogurt Fermentation Through Pulsed Electric Fields and Influence of Milk Fat Content
title_full_unstemmed Modulating Yogurt Fermentation Through Pulsed Electric Fields and Influence of Milk Fat Content
title_short Modulating Yogurt Fermentation Through Pulsed Electric Fields and Influence of Milk Fat Content
title_sort modulating yogurt fermentation through pulsed electric fields and influence of milk fat content
topic pulsed electric fields
yogurt
fermentation
lactic acid bacteria
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/11/1927
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