Minor volatile components have been studied because of their possible contribution
to kefir’s unique taste. Compositional data are inconsistent, however, because of the
variety of sources of the kefir analyzed. Acetaldehyde and diacetyl are two important
contributors to flavor, but propionaldehyde, 2-butanone, n-propanol, iso-amylalcohol,
acetic acid, and ethanol found in kefir may also influence the aroma.118,119 Görner et
al.119 noted that the levels of volatiles found in kefir, particularly ethanol, changed
during the course of the fermentation. Data from laboratory-produced kefir showed
that maturation following fermentation lowered pH and acetaldehyde concentrations,
but increased lactic acid and diacetyl levels.100 Commercial kefir contains half as
much ortic acid, twice as much pyruvic acid, nine times as much acetic acid, and
about an equal amount of uric acid as does in commercial yogurt. Some kefir also
contains propionic acid.17 Dousset and Caillet116 followed the concentrations of seven
organic acids during the fermentation process and found that propionic acid was produced
only in the last stages of fermentation (pH 4.33 and below) and that when the
temperature during fermentation was increased from 20 to 30°C, the concentrations
of citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, and isobutyric acid increased in
the final product, whereas pyruvic acid levels declined.