Pleurotus ostreatus aqueous extract was incorporated to milk aiming to produce a yogurt with different
functional and rheological characteristics. Viable counts of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus
bulgaricus, pH, lactic acid production, changes in rheological and structural properties (syneresis, texture
profile analyses, color and microstructure), antioxidant capacity and total phenolic were followed
throughout 28 days of cold storage. Addition of POE increased S. thermophilus and L. bulgaricus CFU
counts. Low fat yogurts with POE exhibited lower syneresis and firmness, but more adhesiveness,
springiness and cohesiveness than control. Supplemented yogurts were darker, contained more polyphenols
and exhibited higher antioxidant activity than controls in cold storage. Overall, the results
indicated that POE can be used to manufacture low fat yogurt with functional activity and at the same
time modifies rheological properties.