Chemistry And Technology of Yoghurt Fermentation

This Brief reviews the chemistry behind the production of yoghurt through acidification of milk. It quantifies the changes in physical and chemical properties of yoghurt during fermentation with microbial organisms (such as Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus). It has been found that this symbiosis has an optimal development at a temperature of ca. 45°C with the transformation of lactose into lactic acid and small amounts of acetaldehyde, diacetyl and volatile acids.