LACTOSE HYDROLYSIS AND ORGANIC ACIDS PRODUCTION IN YOGURT PREPARED WITH DIFFERENT ONSET TEMPERATURES OF ENZYMATIC ACTION AND FERMENTATION

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate lactose hydrolysis between two different initial temperatures of enzymatic and fermentation action to improve the fermentation period by checking the components formed and hydrolysis levels of lactose by HPLC. pH and titratable acidity analysis between treatments - higher initial temperature (HIT), 42 ºC, and lower initial temperature (LIT), 30 ºC - were different (P<0.05) during the fermentation process. HIT obtained lower pH and higher titratable acidity values as 4.6±0.04 and 0.73±0.01 g lactic acid.100 mL-1, respectively, against 4.82±0.01 and 0.64±0.01 g lactic acid.100 mL-1 from LIT. Lactose content was different (P<0.05) between treatments while fermenting; however, at the end of the fermentation, it reached 4.565±0.34 mg.mL-1 and 4.398±0.18 mg.mL-1 for LIT and HIT (P>0,05), respectively. Glucose and galactose remained buoyant during the fermentation period, which indicates its production and consumption at the same time by the lactic acid bacteria involved. The lactic acid concentration in LIT was higher (P<0.05) (18.64±0.62 mg.mL-1) than in HIT (17.56±0.53 mg.mL-1) although citric and acetic acids content decreased throughout the process. In conclusion, the lactase enzyme contributed to reduce the lactose content without affecting the fermentation process. In addition, both treatments obtained lower values of lactose, which is sufficient for the consumption by those who have lactose malabsorption.