Microbial viability and nutritional content of water kefir grains under different storage conditions.

Water kefir grains are an important source of probiotics, mainly containing lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. The aim of this study is to investigate the changes in microbial and chemical properties of water kefir grains during 1-month storage at +4°C and -18°C. The initial content of lactobacilli, lactococci, and yeast in water kefir grains was 6.06, 6.33, and 5.93 log CFU/g, respectively. The number of lactobacilli, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium spp. in the water kefir grains were comparable, with slight changes at the end of refrigerated storage (p > .05). Lactococci and yeasts decreased significantly after both storage conditions compared to the initial content (p < .05). The dry matter and ash contents remained unchanged during storage (p > .05). Water kefir grains contained significant amounts of calcium, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B7, and vitamin B12. Storage at both +4°C and -18°C did not affect the mineral and vitamin contents, except for Cu and Vitamin B2. The results indicate that the water kefir grains remained viable after storage at both temperatures. If water kefir grains need to be stored, it is recommended to store them at +4°C in sugared water as it ensures better survivability of the microbiota of the grains.

Use of mandarin and persimmon fruits in water kefir fermentation.

Water kefir is a non-dairy probiotic beverage. It is obtained by fermentation of water kefir grains with a sugar solution. This study aims to determine the properties of water kefir beverages obtained by fermentation of mandarin and persimmon-containing water for 42 h. According to microbiological results, both fruits containing water samples provided a high number of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. Moreover, after fermentation, pH, Brix, and dry matter content did not significantly differ. On the other hand, fructose, maltose, and acetic acid contents of mandarin water kefir are significantly higher than persimmon water kefir (p < .05). Persimmon water kefir had higher total phenolic contents, twice as much as mandarin water kefir (p < .05). Both water kefirs had good color properties. The organoleptic acceptability of the fruit water kefirs was promising.

Effects of adding rumen-protected palm oil in diet on milk fatty acid profile and lipid health indices in Kivircik ewes.

This study aimed to determine the effect of the addition of rumen-protected palm oil making up 3% of the ration on lipid health indices and milk fatty acid composition of Kivircik ewes'. Kivircik ewes at two years of age, the same parity, lactation stage, and the same bodyweight (52.57 ± 5.80 kg) were chosen for this purpose. Two groups were formed, in which the control group was fed a basal diet without feed supplementation, whereas the treatment group received rumen-protected palm oil which corresponded to 3% of the ration. In order to protect palm oil, it was coated with calcium salts. Treatment increased the palmitic acid (C16:0) content of milk compared to the control group (P < 0.05) and tended to increase saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (P = 0.14). An increase in SFA and MUFA was attributed to an increase in palmitic acid and oleic acid (C18:1), respectively (P < 0.05). Results indicated that the omega-6/omega-3 ratio (n-6/n-3) ranged between 0.61 and 2.63. The inclusion of palm oil in the diet tended to increase desirable fatty acids (DFAs) regardless of the week of milk sampled (P = 0.42). Treatment did not improve the atherogenicity index (AI), thrombogenicity index (TI), health-promoting index (HPI), and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic (h/H) ratio. Results showed that adding rumen-protected palm oil is a plausible method to meet the energy intake of ewes required during lactation without negatively affecting lipid health indices.