Features of the selection of starter cultures in the production of functional fermented milk products

Abstract

Modern trends in the formation of a healthy lifestyle have led to the active development of technologies for the production of functional fermented milk products. The selection of a rational combination of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria for creating starter cultures should provide products with functional properties and take into account the following criteria: the product must be safe (each microorganism included in its composition must be tested and assessed from a safety point of view, including confirmation of the absence of genes antibiotic resistance); the product must have nutritional value; the product must meet certain quantitative characteristics (amount of probiotics, acidity level, energy value). In the course of studying the features of the selection of starter cultures (lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria) in the production of functional fermented milk products, a search (using key words) for literature sources published between 2012 and April 2023 was carried out and related to the development of starter cultures and functional products. Using three search engines, 105 sources were selected and checked for compliance with the designated inclusion criteria. Among the selected sources, only 69 could be applicable for writing a review that has examined the effect of functional fermented milk products on the human body and has analyzed the potential of using lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria as a component of the starter composition.