Most of the traditional foods in Africa are fermented before consumption. Fermentation is an old technology; however, during this process, especially in traditional fermented cereal based products with special emphasis on Ting, there is very little control involved during the processes. Fermentation is thus left to chance inoculation from the environment. Ting is a sorghum based product that is a result of LAB fermentation and has 0.6-0.7% lactic acid with a final pH of 3.5-4.0. However, there is presently no adequate information on the employment of starter cultures for most South African traditional fermented foods. The aims of this research were therefore to evaluate the use of different isolates of LAB that had been previously isolated from Ting as potential starter cultures for Ting production, to evaluate whether these would result in a product with sensory characteristics similar to those of the naturally fermented Ting and also to determine the nutritional composition of Ting. Six isolates LAB isolates (Lactobacillus collinoides 1.42, Lactobacillus cellobiosus 3.42, Leuconostoc mesenteroides 2.35, Lactobacillus cellobiosus 4.35, Lactobacillus cellobiosus 3.30 and Lactobacillus curvatus 5.30) previously isolated from Ting were used in this study. When inoculated into sorghum mash to initiate Ting fermentation, the LAB starter cultures reduced the pH from 6.5-6.8 to levels below 4.5 within a reduced fermentation time of 12 h instead of 48-72 h as is the case with the naturally fermented Ting. The same starters increased the amount of lactic acid present in the samples from 0.02 to 0.3% within 12 h, reaching up to 0.5% after 72 h of fermentation. The nutritional composition of all the products was similar. The minerals calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and iron were analysed and phosphorous was the highest followed by magnesium; with calcium and iron being the lowest. Among all the amino acids analysed, glutamic acid was the highest in all the samples, followed by proline and leucine with cystine and lysine being the least. Generally, Ting was found to be high in protein and energy although with a low fat content. Based on the results of the consumer acceptability study, of all of the six LAB isolates; the LAB isolate L. cellobiosus 4.35 could be the best option when considering a starter culture for Ting production since the sample had the highest consumer acceptability results similar to the naturally fermented Ting sample. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Microbiology and Plant Pathology / unrestricted

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第22499号 / 農博第2403号 / 新制||農||1077(附属図書館) / 学位論文||R2||N5279(農学部図書室) / 京都大学大学院農学研究科応用生物科学専攻 / (主査)教授 佐藤 健司, 教授 菅原 達也, 准教授 豊原 治彦 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

No description available.

D. Tech. Food Technology. / Discusses a range of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria were isolated from functional food products and pharmaceutical preparations and also obtained from culture collections. They were then subjected to phylogenetic analysis for accurate identification and classification and the probiotic properties of the organisms was evaluated. The isolates were then screened for inhibitory activity against a range of pathogenic bacteria and Candida albicans strains. Selected isolates that were found to have the necessary inhibitory and probiotic properties were recommended for inclusion in an envisaged synbiotic, maize-based beverage that would, in a subsequent study, be subjected to a nutritional intervention trial aimed at alleviating oral thrush in human patients. The specific objectives: to investigate and illustrate the superiority of rpoA and pheS gene sequencing compared to 16S rRNA gene sequencing in the identification and phylogenic assignment of Lactobacillus isolates ; to determine the precision of selected protein-coding gene sequencing in comparison with 16S rRNA gene sequencing for the discrimination and phylogenetic analysis of Bifidobacterium isolates ; to investigate the probiotic properties of selected bacterial strains in terms of antibacterial activity, anti-Candida activity, acid resistance, bile tolerance and antibiotic resistance ; to determine the potential of Lactobacillus isolates to inhibit the growth of each of seven Candida albicans strains in fermented maize gruel and to establish the factors contributing to Candida inhibition and to determine the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of intracellular extracts and to elucidate compounds in methanol extracts from selected Lactobacillus strains.

Os produtos lácteos probióticos e/ou simbióticos são líderes dentro do mercado de alimentos funcionais e prioridade de pesquisa em diversos países. A presença de bactérias probióticas viáveis e em alto número no produto durante sua vida de prateleira é condição essencial para assegurar o efeito probiótico. As bactérias probióticas apresentam crescimento lento no leite. O uso de co-culturas e a suplementação do leite são técnicas para superar esta dificuldade. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo verificar as condições de crescimento de Lactobacillus rhamnosus e Lactobacillus acidophilus em cultura mista com Streptococcus thermophilus em leite suplementado com hidrolisado de caseína e proteína concentrada de soro em diversas proporções (3,05 a 17,05g/L). Os parâmetros cinéticos velocidade de acidificação, tempo para atingir a velocidade máxima, tempo para atingir pH 5,0 e tempo para atingir pH 4,5 foram analisados, assim como as características físico-quimicas dos leites fermentados e a viabilidade das bactérias probióticas. A metodologia de superfície de resposta foi empregada visando otimizar a suplementação. O desempenho dos probióticos foi comparado com o leite fermentado pelas bactérias normais do iogurte nas mesmas condições. Ambos suplementos afetaram a acidificação do leite, sendo possível reduzir o tempo de fermentação. Em todos os ensaios, o nível de probióticos obtido esteve acima de 106 UFC/mL, valor mínimo de microorganismos viáveis sugerido por diversos autores para obter o efeito benéfico. Foi possível identificar modelos matemáticos preditivos. / Dairy products containing probiotics and/or symbiotics are leader in the functional foods market and, priority in research worldwide. The use of casein hydrolysate and co-cultures are useful to lower fermentation time, and, in addition, it enhances the probiotic stability. The aim of the work was to verify the growing conditions of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus acidophilus in mixed cultures with Streptococcus thermophiles in milk supplemented with casein hydrolysate and whey protein with different amounts (3,05 to 17,05g/L). Response surface methodology was used to establish adequate relationship of casein hydrolysate and whey protein contents aiming their optimization. The performance of probiotic bacteria was compared with those of yogurt bacteria. The supplements influenced milk acidification. In all experiments, probiotic levels were higher than 106 cfu/mL, the minimal viable number suggested by many authors to have therapeutic benefits. Mathematical models were developed.

Os produtos lácteos probióticos e/ou simbióticos são líderes dentro do mercado de alimentos funcionais e prioridade de pesquisa em diversos países. A presença de bactérias probióticas viáveis e em alto número no produto durante sua vida de prateleira é condição essencial para assegurar o efeito probiótico. As bactérias probióticas apresentam crescimento lento no leite. O uso de co-culturas e a suplementação do leite são técnicas para superar esta dificuldade. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo verificar as condições de crescimento de Lactobacillus rhamnosus e Lactobacillus acidophilus em cultura mista com Streptococcus thermophilus em leite suplementado com hidrolisado de caseína e proteína concentrada de soro em diversas proporções (3,05 a 17,05g/L). Os parâmetros cinéticos velocidade de acidificação, tempo para atingir a velocidade máxima, tempo para atingir pH 5,0 e tempo para atingir pH 4,5 foram analisados, assim como as características físico-quimicas dos leites fermentados e a viabilidade das bactérias probióticas. A metodologia de superfície de resposta foi empregada visando otimizar a suplementação. O desempenho dos probióticos foi comparado com o leite fermentado pelas bactérias normais do iogurte nas mesmas condições. Ambos suplementos afetaram a acidificação do leite, sendo possível reduzir o tempo de fermentação. Em todos os ensaios, o nível de probióticos obtido esteve acima de 106 UFC/mL, valor mínimo de microorganismos viáveis sugerido por diversos autores para obter o efeito benéfico. Foi possível identificar modelos matemáticos preditivos. / Dairy products containing probiotics and/or symbiotics are leader in the functional foods market and, priority in research worldwide. The use of casein hydrolysate and co-cultures are useful to lower fermentation time, and, in addition, it enhances the probiotic stability. The aim of the work was to verify the growing conditions of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus acidophilus in mixed cultures with Streptococcus thermophiles in milk supplemented with casein hydrolysate and whey protein with different amounts (3,05 to 17,05g/L). Response surface methodology was used to establish adequate relationship of casein hydrolysate and whey protein contents aiming their optimization. The performance of probiotic bacteria was compared with those of yogurt bacteria. The supplements influenced milk acidification. In all experiments, probiotic levels were higher than 106 cfu/mL, the minimal viable number suggested by many authors to have therapeutic benefits. Mathematical models were developed.

Bakgrund: Med industrialiseringen har de traditionella yoghurtkulturerna med en mångfald av samverkande mjölksyrabakterier fått ge plats åt de mer standardiserade. En gårdskultur framställs genom att obehandlad mjölk spontanfermenteras av gårdens egen bakterieflora och får därigenom en unik karaktär. Bakteriekulturen kan sedan ympas vidare för tillverkning av yoghurt.Syfte: Syftet med studien är framställning och vidareympning samt sensorisk och mikrobiologisk karaktärisering av termofil gårdskultur från obehandlad mjölk. Vidareympningen avser framställning av yoghurt fermenterad av gårdens egen bakterieflora.Metod: Gårdskulturen framställdes och ympades till yoghurt. Yoghurten undersöktes genom mikrobiologisk karaktärisering, antibiotikaresistens och sensorisk profilering samt jämfördes med industriell kultur och en traditionell heirloomkultur.Resultat: Resultatet visade att gårdskulturen skiljde sig både mikrobiologisk och sensoriskt. Gårdskulturen innehöll stammar av enterokocker vilka inte visade på resistens mot analyserade antibiotika.Slutsats: Det är möjligt att framställa en gårdskultur av godtagbar mikrobiologisk och sensorisk kvalitet. Gårdskulturen ger en differentierad mikrobiologisk och sensorisk karaktär i jämförelse med en industriell kultur och en traditionell heirloomkultur Metoden kan vara riskfylld och kulturen bör analyseras med avseende på patogen tillväxt. En unik gårdsyoghurt kan vara en metod för gårdsmejerister att i sitt varumärke bygga på terroir och platsens unicitet. / Background: With industrialization, the traditional yoghurt cultures with a multitude of lactic acid bacteria had to make way for the more standardized. An artisanal farm culture is produced by raw milk spontaneously fermented by the farm's own bacterial flora and thus develops a unique character. The bacterial culture can then be inoculated for the production of yoghurt.Purpose: The pupose of the study is to produce and inoculate as well as sensory and microbiological characterization of a thermophilic artisanal farm culture from raw milk. The inoculation relates to the production of yoghurt fermented by the farm's own bacterial flora.Method: The artisanal farm culture was produced and inoculated into yoghurt which was assessed by microbiological characterization, antibiotic resistance, sensory profiling and then compared with industrial culture and a traditional heirloom culture.Result: The result showed that the artisanal farm culture differed both microbiologically and with regard to sensory paramters. The farm culture contained strains of enterococci which did not show resistance to analyzed antibiotics.Conclusion: It is possible to produce an artisanal farm culture of good microbiological and sensory quality. The artisanal farm culture provides a differentiated microbiological and sensory character in comparison to an industrial culture and a traditional heirloom culture The method may be risky and the culture should be analyzed for pathogens. A unique farm yoghurt can be a method for artisan farm dairies to build their brand based on terroir.

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Technology: Biotechnology, Durban University of Technology, 2010. / Cassava, (Manihot esculenta Crantz), is used for the production of a variety of West African foods and ranks fourth in the list of major crops in developing countries after rice, wheat and maize. Gari is one of the most popular foods produced from cassava. Cassava may contain high levels of linamarin, a cyanogenic glucoside, which in its natural state is toxic to man. Therefore, some processing methods that can enhance the detoxification of cassava and lead to the improvement of the quality and hygienic safety of the food are vitally important for less toxic products to be obtained. Quality, safety and acceptability of traditional fermented foods may be improved through the use of starter cultures. There has been a trend recently to isolate wild-type strains from traditional products for use as starter cultures in food fermentation. A total of 74 bacterial strains and 21 yeast strains were isolated from a cassava mash fermentation process in a rural village in Benin, West Africa. These strains were assessed, together with 26 strains isolated at the CSIR from cassava samples sent from Benin previously, for phenotypic and technological properties. Twenty four presumptive lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were selected for further phenotypic, genotypic and technological characterization during a research visit to the BFE (now Max Rubner Institute of Nutrition and Food). After assessment, the strains VE 20, VE 36, VE 65b, VE 77 and VE 82 were chosen for further study as starter cultures. These L. plantarum strains were chosen on the basis of predominance and possession of suitable technological properties. The investigation of this study was complemented by further, similar studies on further Gari isolates in Germany by the BFE. That study was done independently from this study, but both studies served to select potential starter cultures for cassava fermentation for the production of Gari, as this was the common goal of the project. Thus, a wider final selection of potential starter cultures was decided on at the project level and this selection was further tested in fermentation experiments. A total of 17 strains were grown in optimized media in 2 L fermenters. These strains were freeze-dried and thereafter tested in lab-scale cassava mash fermentation trials. xiii The strains performed well in the small scale bucket fermentations. There was a rapid acidification evidenced by the increase in titratable acidity, ranging from 1.1 to 1.3 % at 24 hours, and 1.3 to 1.6 % at 48 hours. The effect of the starter was obvious in that it lowered the pH much faster and to lower levels than the control. It appeared that both the processing and starter culture addition played a role in the removal of cyanide during processing of the cassava into Gari. This was evident from the lower cyanide values obtained for fermentations that included starter cultures. The study also showed that especially the L. plantarum group strains could be produced as starter cultures at lower costs than compared to L. fermentum, W. paramesenteroides or L. mesenteroides strains. Overall the results of this study were crucial for the project in showing that a starter culture which is easy and economical to produce and which has the desired attributes is a feasible possibility for application in the field.

Thesis (PhD Food Sc)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The fermentation of milk has been known for millennia and leads to nutritious and prolonged shelf-life dairy products. In Southern Africa, traditional fermented dairy products have the same value as local staple foods and are consumed as a part of or as a whole meal. However, the retail price and the technology make many commercialised fermented dairy products unaffordable to the majority of the population. There is thus a need for a healthy nutritious low-cost easily prepared fermented dairy product. A product that could be the answer to the above need, is Kefir. The principle advantage is that the Kefir beverage is made from reusable Kefir grains, which unfortunately are not easily available and grow slowly. Kefir grains can only be obtained from pre-existing grains, which presents a problem in the marketing of the grains. A mass culturing technique was developed to produce large masses of grains but preparation of Kefir using these grains results in a product (MG Kefir) lacking in the sensory attributes of Traditional Kefir. Thus, the overall objective of this research was to determine the impact of environmental factors on the metabolic profiles of Kefir produced using different Kefir grains and this was then followed by the subsequent enrichment of Kefir prepared with mass cultured grains so as to obtain a Kefir beverage that has improved organoleptic qualities. To determine the impact of environmental factors Traditional and MG Kefir were prepared under controlled and uncontrolled conditions. Traditional Kefir was found to give the best beverage and was thus considered as the control. Under controlled conditions the optimum incubation temperature for the production of Kefir was 22ºC as over-acidification was observed at 25ºC. The metabolic profiles of both Traditional and MG Kefir showed that both contained acetaldehyde, ethanol, acetone, diacetyl and acetic acid. In addition, the metabolic profiles revealed that an inadequate ratio of diacetyl to acetaldehyde as well as the lack of ethyl acetate was responsible for the flavour defect in MG Kefir. In order to overcome this defect, citrate and ascorbate (0.015 % w.v-1) were added during Kefir fermentation to enhance the diacetyl and ethyl acetate production. This addition showed a positive impact on diacetyl but not on ethyl acetate production. Improvement of the overall flavour of Kefir was observed as the ratios of diacetyl to acetaldehyde were higher (0.21 – 0.5) in the samples with added citrate and ascorbate than in the samples without (0.12 – 0.17). The production of ethyl acetate in MG Kefir was enhanced by combining the effects of longer incubation (24 h + 18 h at 22ºC), addition of ethanol and acetic acid at 0.79% (m.v-1) and the addition of either Lactococcus lactis ssp. diacetylactis biovar diacetylactis 318 or Candida kefyr 1283. The best yields were obtained in samples containing C. kefyr 1283 and only added ethanol (9.22 mg.L-1), indicating that ethanol is an important factor in ethyl acetate production by Kefir starter strains and suggesting that the absence of ethyl acetate is an indication that the grains do not contain a yeast capable of producing sufficient ethyl acetate. During this investigation, the impact of ethyl acetate on the organoleptic quality of Kefir during storage at refrigerated and room temperatures were also studied. The results indicated that refrigerated Kefir contained up to 40 mg.L-1 of ethyl acetate and was not found defective and thus ethyl acetate was considered a positive contributor to Kefir flavour. This is of particular interest as ethyl acetate is a potent flavour compound at concentrations below 5 mg.L-1. Improvements of MG Kefir’s flavour were successful and will be of value for commercial Kefir production where the main aim is to optimise the flavour of Kefir. However, stabilising the grain microbial consortium was found to be important as it is responsible, over time, for both stable and acceptable Kefir. Acceptability of Traditional, MG and other Kefirs (Candi-Kefir and Lacto-Kefir) prepared with microbially stabilised MG was evaluated by 85 consumers. Results indicated that pH (r = 0.978; p < 0.05) was a significant driver of liking for flavour, especially for female consumers (r = 0.982; p < 0.05). In addition, three clusters, each characterised by different liking attributes were identified. Cluster I generally disliked all the products whereas slight acidic Kefir such as Candi-Kefir (7.63) and Lacto-Kefir (7.09) were preferred by Cluster III. Cluster II showed preference to Kefir with moderate acidity and high ethanol content. In that regard, Traditional Kefir obtained the best score (7.50) and MG Kefir the lowest score (4.87). The sensory study is of value as it led to the identification of the drivers of consumers liking by the different types of consumers. In the course of this project, near infrared reflectance spectroscopy was developed as a rapid method to estimate lactic and acetic acids, which are the organic acids responsible for acidity in Kefir, as well as pH and titratable acidity (TA). The results showed that the calibration models for lactic acid (RPD = 2.57 – 3.16), pH (RPD = 2.90) and TA (RPD = 2.60) were good for screening purposes (2 < RPD < 3); indicating that these models would show if the concentrations of lactic acid, the pH or the TA varied from the normal range. This study has demonstrated that the flavour of MG Kefir, prepared with enriched grains, was successfully improved and has provided some understanding on the preference liking of Kefir, an unknown fermented dairy product to South African consumers. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die fermentering van melk is al vir millennia bekend en lei tot voedsame suiwelprodukte met 'n verlengde raklewe. In Suidelike Afrika het tradisioneel gefermenteerde suiwelprodukte dieselfde waarde as plaaslike stapelvoedsels en word dit as 'n maaltyd of as deel van 'n maaltyd geëet. Die kleinhandelsprys en tegnologie van kommersieel gefermenteerde suiwelprodukte maak hierdie produkte egter onbekostigbaar vir die grootste deel van die populasie. Daar is dus 'n behoefte aan 'n gesonde, voedsame, goedkoop, maklik-om-te-berei gefermenteerde suiwelproduk. 'n Moontlike produk om aan die bogenoemde te voldoen is Kefir. Die hoof voordeel is dat die Kefir drankie van herbruikbare Kefirkorrels gemaak word, maar ongelukkig is hierdie korrels nie vrylik beskikbaar nie, en vermeerder dit stadig. Kefirkorrels kan net van reeds bestaande korrels verkry word wat problematies is vir die bemarking van hierdie korrels. 'n Massakwekingstegniek is ontwikkel vir die produksie van groot hoeveelhede korrels maar die voorbereiding van Kefir met hierdie korrels lei tot 'n produk (MG Kefir) wat sensories minder aanvaarbaar is as tradisionele Kefir. Die hoofdoel van hierdie navorsing was dus om die invloed van omgewingsfaktore op die metaboliese profiele van Kefir, berei deur gebruik te maak van verskillende Kefirkorrels, te bepaal. Dit is gevolg deur die verryking van Kefir berei van massagekweekte korrels om 'n Kefir drankie met verbeterde organoleptiese kwaliteite te verkry. Tradisionele en MG Kefir is voorberei onder gekontroleerde en ongekontroleerde toestande om die impak van omgewingsfaktore te bepaal. Die beste drankie is van tradisionele Kefir verkry en is dus beskou as die kontrole. Die optimum temperatuur vir die produksie van Kefir onder gekonroleerde toestande is 22ºC aangesien oor-versuring by 25ºC waargeneem is. Die metaboliese profiele van beide tradisionele en MG Kefir het gewys dat beide produkte asetaldehied, etanol, asetoon, diasetiel en asynsuur bevat. Die metaboliese profiele het verder gewys dat 'n onvoldoende diasetiel tot asetaldehied verhouding sowel as 'n tekort aan etielasetaat verantwoordelik was vir 'n geur defek in MG Kefir. Om hierdie defek te oorkom is sitraat en askorbaat (0.015% m.v-1) tydens Kefir fermentasie bygevoeg om diasetiel en etielasetaat produksie te verhoog. Hierdie byvoeging het 'n positiewe effek gehad op diasetiel produksie, maar nie op die produksie etielasetaat nie. 'n Verbetering in die algehele geur van Kefir is waargeneem aangesien die diasetiel tot asetaldehied verhoudings hoër (0.21 – 0.5) was in die monsters met bygevoegde sitraat en askorbaat as in die monsters daarsonder (0.12 – 0.17). Die produksie van etielasetaat in MG Kefir is verhoog deur die effekte van 'n verlengde inkubasie tydperk (24 h + 18 h by 22ºC), die byvoeging van etanol en asynsuur teen 0.79% (m.v-1) en die byvoeging van óf Lactococcus lactis ssp. diacetylactis biovar diacetylactis 318 óf Candida kefyr 1283 te kombineer. Die beste opbrengs is verkry in monsters wat C. kefyr 1283 en slegs etanol (9.22 mg.L-1) bevat het. Dit dui daarop dat etanol 'n belangrike faktor is vir etielasetaat produksie in Kefir beginstamme en wys moontlik op die afwesigheid van etielasetaat wat daarop dui dat die korrels nie 'n gis bevat wat bevoeg is om genoegsame hoeveelhede etielasetaat te produseer nie. Tydens hierdie ondersoek is die impak van etielasetaat op die organoleptiese kwaliteit van Kefir gedurende opberging by verkoelde- en kamertemperatuur ook bestudeer. Die resultate het gewys dat verkoelde Kefir tot 40 mg.L-1 etielasetaat bevat het sonder dat dit defektief was. Etielasetaat is dus beskou as 'n positiewe bydraer in terme van Kefir geur. Dit is van besondere belang aangesien etielasetaat 'n sterk geurkomponent teen konsentrasies laer as 5 mg.L-1 is. Verbeteringe in MG Kefir se geur was suksesvol en sal van waarde wees vir kommersiële Kefir produksie waar die hoofdoel die optimisering van Kefir geur is. Stabilisering van die korrels se mikrobiologiese konsortium is ook belangrik aangesien daar gevind is dat dit oor tyd verantwoordelik is vir stabiele en aanvaarbare Kefir. Die aanvaarbaarheid van tradisioneel, MG en ander Kefirs (Candi-Kefir en Lacto-Kefir), voorberei van mikrobiologies gestabiliseerde MG, is deur 85 verbruikers geëvalueer. Die resultate het aangedui dat pH (r = 0.978; p < 0.05) 'n belangrike faktor is in die bepaling van verbruikers se voorkeur van geur is, veral by vroulike verbruikers (r = 0.978; p < 0.05). Drie groepe, elk gekenmerk deur verskillende voorkeur en aanvaarbaarheid eienskappe, is verder geïdentifiseer. Groep I het oor die algemeen van geen van die produkte gehou nie en Groep III het die effense suur Kefirs soos Candi-Kefir (7.63) en Lacto-Kefir (7.09) verkies. Groep II het die Kefir met 'n matige suurheid en hoë etanolinhoud verkies. Tradisionele Kefir het die hoogste telling (7.50) en MG Kefir die laagste telling (4.78) behaal. Die sensoriese studie is van waarde aangesien dit gelei het tot die identifisering van die drywers van verbruikersvoorkeure deur die verskillende tipes verbruikers. Tydens hierdie projek is 'n naby-infrarooi reflektansie spektroskopiese metode ontwikkel vir die vinnige skatting van melk- en asynsuur, die organise sure wat verantwoordelik is vir die suurheid van Kefir, asook die pH en titreerbare suurheid (TS). Die resultate het getoon dat die kalibrasiemodelle vir melksuur (RPD = 2.57 – 3.16), pH (RPD = 2.90) en TS (RPD = 2.60) voldoende was vir siftingsdoeleindes (2 < RPD < 3). Dit dui daarop dat hierdie modelle sal aandui wanneer die konsentrasie van melksuur, pH of TS afwissel van die normale reeks. Hierdie studie het gewys dat die geur van MG Kefir, berei van verrykte korrels, suksesvol verbeter is en het ook gelei tot insigte in die voorkeur van aanvaarbaarheid van Kefir, 'n onbekende gefermenteerde suiwelproduk vir Suid-Afrikaanse verbruikers.

Dissertation 'consists of a selection of 71 publications produced over the period 1975-2001, which were drawn from the more complete list of 198 original research papers, review articles and books published over the same period' -- declaration. / Thesis (PhD Food Sc )--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: One of the curious facts about the food industry is that many of the processes in use today were being practised, in some form or other, by the Roman legions as they marched across Europe and beyond. Certainly they were familiar with the basic techniques of fermentation, and much current research into fermented foods is concerned with understanding the fundamental nature of these traditional processes, and how the individual stages in a particular fermentation can be better controlled. Recent developments in the dairy industry have tended to reflect this pattern and, over the years, my research group has done much to support the expanding markets for yoghurt and similar fermented milks. Our evaluation of the polysaccharide-producing characteristics of starter cultures, for example, encouraged yoghurt manufacturers to match physical properties to the perceived demands of consumers, and most culture suppliers followed this lead by labelling their products with precise designations as to their potential for imparting viscosity to a retail item. Similarly, my group was the first to record the unique physical properties of the concentrated yoghurt, labneh, C 230 g 1-1 total solids) that had been made for hundreds of years by draining whey from natural yoghurt hanging in a cloth or animal-skin bag. This detailed analysis of the product facilitated the application of ultra-filtration to natural yoghurt to generate a product with a quality that matched traditionallabneh and, today, factories in the Middle East, Greece and elsewhere are using modern membrane-filtration plants to satisfy a growing market demand. Our success in publicising the attractive properties of concentrated yoghurt encouraged me to devote time to yet another 'historical' concept, namely the apparent 'health benefits' derived by small communities in Eastern Europe from consuming kefir and koumiss. In the West, the flavour and texture of these latter products have never been accepted, but employing similar cultures to produce 'health-promoting' bio-yoghurts opened an entirely new avenue for research. As clinical evidence in support of the prophylactic and therapeutic properties of Lactobacillus acidophilus and a species of Bifidobacterium became available, so it became apparent that the therapeutic advantage that accompanies the regular ingestion of 'bio-yoghurts' depended on the survival of these microfloras over the stipulated shelf-lives of the retail vehicles. However, no laboratory medium was immediately available for the simultaneous enumeration of Lb. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium along with the yoghurt cultures, i.e. Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii sub-sp. bulgaricus. Designing such a medium became a priority for one of my students, and, even today, the procedures that he derived are being used by consumer groups that monitor the performance of the major dairy companies in England. If the improved quality of yoghurts and 'bio-yoghurts' had a major impact on consumer perceptions of fermented milks, the food sector in England gradually became aware of an even more dramatic change in consumer attitudes. Thus twenty years ago, cheese meant 'Cheddar' but, following a 'deluge' of television publicity about the attractions of 'exotic' catering, housewives began demanding mozzarella and mascarpone for lavish desserts, Feta to sprinkle over salads and Halloumi to grill or fry. In turn, exporting countries like Italy, Greece and Cyprus came under intense pressure to increase supplies of top quality products. Local manufacturers soon realised, however, that there was little information available concerning the scientific basis to the procedures employed to make some of these traditional cheeses, and my research group was selected by Funding Agencies in Greece and Cyprus to act as a focus for a series of studies of Feta and Halloumi cheese. The need to eliminate pathogens from the storage brines of Feta cheese without killing the yeasts and bacteria associated with maturation became an important consideration for exporters, and one of my students exploited a novel procedure employing furocoumarins and long-wave ultra-violet light to achieve the desired selective inactivation. At present, the economics of commercial application are somewhat dubious but, as soon as cheap, synthetic, non-toxic furocoumarins become more readily available, the system may well merit re-evaluation. We did confirm, however, that the metabolic activities of the yeasts and bacteria typically isolated from storage brines are essential for flavour development in Feta cheese, and that similar microfloras are instrumental in the development of the important charactistics of traditional Halloumi cheese. In particular, a new species of lactic acid bacterium, Lactobacillus cypricasei, was isolated from samples of the traditional ovine cheese, but whether or not the species has a unique role(s) in the maturation process remains an open question. Clearly there is still much to learn but, if the activities of my reseach group have added just a little to the scientific background essential for future studies of cheese and fermented milks, then their completion will have been worthwhile. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Een van die merkwaardigste feite omtrent die voedselindustrie is dat baie van die prosesse wat vandag gebruik word, in een of ander vorm deur die Romeinse magte gebruik is toe hulle deur Europa marsjeer het. Basiese fermentasie tegnieke was aan hulle bekend, en heelwat huidige navorsing oor gefermenteerde voedsel is gemik daarop om die fundamentele natuur van hierdie tradisionele prosesse te verstaan en hoe die individuele stappe in 'n spesifieke fermentasie beter beheer kan word. Onlangse ontwikkelinge in die suiwelindustrie reflekteer hierdie patroon, en my navorsingsgroep het oor die jare heelwat gedoen om die groeiende markte vir joghurt en soortgelyke gefermenteerde melk te ondersteun. Ons evaluasie van die polisakkariedproduserende eienskappe van suursels het byvoorbeeld joghurtvervaardigers gehelp om fisieke eienskappe daar te stel wat verbruikers tevrede sal stel. Meeste verskaffers van kulture het hierdie voorbeeld gevolg deur hul produkte so te etiketteer dat duidelik gewys word watter potensiaal dit het om viskositeit aan die finale produk te verleen. Verder was my groep die eerste om die unieke fisiese eienskappe van die gekonsentreerde joghurt, labneh (230 g 1-1 totale vastestowwe) te bepaal, wat vir honderde jare gemaak is deur die wei van natuurlike joghurt te dreineer deur dit in "n materiaal- of diervelsak te hang. "n Gedetailleerde analise van hierdie tradisionele produk het bygedra tot die gebruik van ultrafiltrasie op natuurlike joghurt om "n produk te gee met dieselfde kwaliteit as tradisionele labneh. Vandag gebruik fabrieke in die Midde Ooste, Griekeland en elders moderne membraan-filtrasie aanlegte om in die groeiende vraag na die produk te voorsien. Ons sukses met die bekendmaking van die aantreklike eienskappe van gekonsentreerde joghurt het my aangespoor om tyd te spandeer aan nog 'n sogenaamde "historiese" konsep, naamlik die skynbare gesondheidsvoordele van klein gemeenskappe in Oos-Europa wat kefir en koumiss verbruik. In die Weste is die smaak en tekstuur van hierdie produkte nooit werklik aanvaar nie, maar om soortgelyke kulture te gebruik om "gesondheidsbevorderende" bio-joghurt te produseer, het 'n hele nuwe navorsingsveld daargestel. Soos kliniese bewyse van die terapeutiese en voorkomende voordele van Lactobacillus acidophilus en 'n spesie van Bifidobacterium bekend gemaak is, het dit duidelik geword dat die terapeutiese voordele wat saamgaan met die gereelde inname van "bio-joghurts", afhang van die oorlewing van hierdie mikroflora oor die gestipuleerde rakleeftyd van die kommersiële produkte. Geen laboratorium medium was egter onmiddellik beskikbaar vir die gelyktydige telling van Lb. actdophilus en Bifldobacterium tesame met die joghurt kulture Streptococcus thermophilus en Lb. delbrueckii sub-sp. bulgaricus. Die ontwikkeling van so 'n medium het een van my studente se prioriteit geword, en selfs vandag word die prosedures wat deur hom ontwikkel is, gebruik deur verbruikersgroepe wat die optrede van groot suiwelmaatskappye in Engeland monitor. lndien die verbeterde kwaliteit van joghurts en bio-joghurts 'n groot impak gehad het op verbruikers se persepsie van gefermenteerde melk oor Wes-Europa heen, het die voedselsektor in Engeland bewus geraak van selfs 'n meer dramatiese verandering in verbruikers se houding. Twintig jaar terug het kaas "Cheddar" beteken, maar na 'n stortvloed televisie advertensies oor die aanloklikheid van eksotiese geregte, het daar by huisvroue 'n vraag ontstaan na Mozzarella en Mascarpone vir nageregte, Feta oor slaai en Halloumi om te bak of te braai. Italië, Griekeland en Siprus wat hierdie produkte uitgevoer het, het onder kwaai druk gekom om groter hoeveelhede, top-kwaliteit produkte te lewer. Plaaslike vervaardigers het gou agtergekom dat min inligting beskikbaar was oor die wetenskaplike basis van die prosedures wat gebruik word om hierdie tradisionele kase te maak en my navorsingsgroep is deur befondsingsagentskappe in Griekeland en Siprus genader om studies te doen oor sekere aspekte van die vervaardiging van Feta en Halloumi kaas. Dit het vir beide in- en uitvoerders belangrik geword om die patogene te elimineer uit die soutoplossing waarin Fetakaas gestoor word, sonder om die giste en bakterieë wat rypwording aanhelp, te dood. Een van my studente het 'n innoverende prosedure ontwikkel wat furocoumarins en lang-golf-ultra-violet lig gebruik om selektiewe inaktivering te kry. Op die oomblik is daar effense onsekerheid oor die ekonomiese implikasies van die kommersiële toepassing, maar sodra goedkoop, sintetiese, nie-toksiese furocoumarins geredelik beskikbaar word, moet die sisteem weer geëvalueer word. Ons het egter bevestig dat die metaboliese aktiwiteite van die giste en bakterieë in die stooroplossing noodsaaklik is vir geurontwikkeling in Feta kaas en dat soortgelyke mikrofloras instrumenteel is in die ontwikkeling van die belangrike karaktereienskappe van tradisionele Halloumi kaas. 'n Unieke melksuurbakterium, Lactobacillus cypricasei, is uit monsters tradisionele skaap Halloumi geïsoleer, maar of hierdie spesie 'n unieke rol speel in die verouderingsproses is nog 'n ope vraag. Duidelik is daar nog baie om te leer, maar indien my navorsingsgroep se aktiwiteite slegs 'n klein bydrae gemaak het tot die wetenskaplike agtergrond wat essensieel is vir toekomstige navorsing, was die voltooiing daarvan die moeite werd.