The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical and rheological properties of
butter produced by Lactobacillus helveticus fermented cream. The incorporation of putative probiotic –
the L. helveticus, to ferment cream prior to butter production was anticipated to alter the nutritional composition
of butter. Changes in crude macronutrients and the resultant modification relating to textural
properties of butter induced upon metabolic activities of L. helveticus in cream were focused in this
research. Fermented butter (LH-butter) was produced by churning the cream that was fermented by
lactobacilli at 37 C for 24 h. Physicochemical analysis, proximate analysis and rheology properties of
LH-butter were compared with butter produced using unfermented cream (control). LH-butter showed
a significantly (P < 0.05) higher fat content and acid value; lower moisture and ash; and was softer than
the control. Cream fermentation modified nutritional and textural properties of butter in which LH-butter
contained higher health beneficial unsaturated fatty acids than the control and thus rendered the product
softer. Its enrichment with probiotics could thus further enhance its functional property.