4. Conclusions
This study is the first to report the successful application of the newly identified potential probiotic P. jensenii 702, in goat’s milk yogurt. Inoculation of approximately 108 cfu/g appeared to be sufficient to sustain the viability of P. jensenii 702 and B. animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 at levels above the minimum therapeutic threshold (106 cfu/g) in both plain and stirred fruit yogurts. Although viable numbers of L. acidophilus LA-5 were not maintained above this threshold over the shelf life in any of the preparations, the results indicated that the viability of this probiotic strain can be improved in goat’s milk yogurt by addition of fruit juice to the product. Addition of fruit juice resulted in a significant increase in pH and syneresis and a significant decrease in viscosity and water holding capacity of yogurt base. Addition of fruit juice also appeared to improve the sensory characteristics of probiotic goat’s milk yogurts.