Labneh samples, made from cows’ milk by a procedure
similar to that reported by Robinson andTa mime
(1994), were obtainedfr om DairyDay (Kfarshima,
Lebanon). The product was made by heating skim
milk (0.2 g fat/100 g) at 90C for 15 s, cooling to 42C,
inoculating with a mixedculture of Streptococcus
thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus
(1:1 ratio), at the rate of 2 g/100 g, andhold ing
until a coagulum is formed( B4 h). The coagulum was
stirred, heated at 60C for 15 min, cooledto 15C and
concentratedin a quarg separator to a total solids level
of 18 g/100 g. The concentratedskim milk yogurt was
blended with cultured cream (80 g fat/100 g) to a level of
26 g total solids/100 g of which B9 g/100 g is fat. The
product was dispensed into PVC containers (500 g),
sealedwith aluminum foil andcovered with a plastic lid
to provide a secondary package.
Labneh samples were brought to the laboratory, in
refrigeratedtrucks (6C), within 1–2 h of production,
randomized and stored at 5C, 15C and25 C.