Influence of milk with a high somatic cell count on the physical characteristics and yogurt fermentation process

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the fermentation characteristics and yogurts made from milk with high or low milk somatic cell count (CCS) and added or not with milk solids. Raw milk was collected at six days and subjected to various electronic analyzes of protein, fat, lactose, total solids, CCS and total bacterial count (CBT). The profile of the fermentation was monitored by pH and acidity, expressed as lactic acid. Yoghurts were analyzed for pH, acidity expressed as lactic acid and syneresis of final product at different storage times. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with six replicates and split plots with treatments in installments (CCS levels x added or not added milk solids) and fermentation times and storage periods for yogurts subplots. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), regression or Pearson Correlation analysis, according to the tests. The results showed that CCS levels had effects on some milk parameters (p<0,05). However, no effects were observed on the fermentation profile and characteristics of yoghurt during storage, according to the CCS levels or adding milk solids.