All stirred fruit yogurts were scored higher on average by the panellists
than plain yogurt in terms of aroma and taste (although differences
for aroma were not statistically significant), possibly reflecting a
combined contribution from flavour compounds in fruit juice and
higher viability of L. acidophilus LA-5, which may also produce flavour
compounds. Acetaldehyde for example is recognised as a major
flavour component in yogurt and the presence of lactobacilli in
the starter culture can influence the total content of acetaldehyde
in final product (Ekinci & Gurel, 2008; Guler-Akin & Akin, 2007). It
is also highly likely that in the present study, the incorporation of
natural sugars into the yogurt base through addition of fruit juice
was another key factor in the higher consumer acceptability of stirred
fruit yogurts.