The study focuses on developing novel probiotic yogurts containing spices with acceptable sensory
properties, therapeutic levels of probiotics and with beneficial antioxidant capacity. Eight types of yogurts
with added spice oleoresins (cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg) and probiotics [Lactobacillus acidophilus
strain 5(LA5), or Bifidobacterium animalisssp.Lactis (Bb12)] were produced. Two successive
consumer sensory taste panels (n ¼ 54) using a nine point hedonic scale were conducted to evaluate the
acceptability of the yogurts. Viable counts of probiotics and antioxidant capacity of yogurt samples at 1, 7,
14 and 28 days of storage at 4 C were monitored. The probiotic-yogurt products containing spices
showed good sensory properties, with the best results obtained with cardamom oleoresin (with LA5 or
Bb12). The presence of spice oleoresins (cardamom, nutmeg and cinnamon) did not affect the probiotic
population (LA5or Bb12) in yogurt during 4 weeks of refrigerated storage. The antioxidant capacity (with
LA5or Bb12) over the storage period was also maintained.