Four mixed-strain starter cultures and four single-strain starter
cultures were provided in the form of frozen pellets as direct vat set (DVS) cultures.
The four mixed-strain starter cultures were used to produce yoghurts for
studying the influence of EPS types and post-fermentation mechanical
treatment on the microstructure and texture of the yoghurts.
The four single-strain starter cultures were only used for
initial microscopy to check the morphology of each single strain
and the EPS synthesised by the strain.