This study aimed to evaluate the incorporation effect of probiotic culture (Lactobacillus acidophilus) in buffalo milk yogurt on stability and microbial survival rate during storage. In addition, the influence of probiotic culture on blood lipid profiles was investigated for a period of 6 weeks. Yogurt was prepared with buffalo milk with different probiotic concentrations (0, 100, and 50%) and administered to subjects at 300 g/day. All treatments showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in acidity and pH during storage for 21 days at refrigeration temperature, while treatment with 100% probiotic culture (G2) was most prominent. Physicochemical analysis demonstrated a maximum pH decline of 0.60 in G2, followed by 0.56 in the mix cultured (G3). However, increasing trend was observed in acidity, with highest increment of 0.89% followed by 0.54% in G2 and G3, respectively. Storage study of total viable count demonstrated the reduction in the enumeration of microbial population owing to the production of organic acids, while L. acidophilus had a high survival rate of 5.25 log 10 CFU/g. Probiotic culture produced significant results in the lipid profile of subjects. Treatments containing probiotic bacteria G2 and G3 showed the lowest total cholesterol (183.57 and 182.85 mg/dL) and low density lipoproteins (LDL) (105.80 106.40 mg/dL), respectively. In terms of high density lipoproteins (HDL), G2 showed a highest increment of 49.82 mg/dL. Results of our study revealed that consumption of probiotic yogurt is beneficial for human health by improvement of blood lipid profiles and reduces cardiovascular patient's percentage around the globe. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Experimental investigation of the effect of probiotic culture addition on the stability of buffalo milk yogurt. Assessment of the potential of Lactobacillus acidophilus on blood lipid profiles.
Keywords: acidophilus; cholesterol assimilation; hypocholesterolemia; probiotic yogurt; quality.
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