Use of Raman spectroscopy to determine the kinetics of chemical transformation in yogurt production

The kinetics of chemical transformation during the yogurt production was obtained using micro-Raman spectroscopy: Raman spectra were obtained as a function of the incubation time in the fermentation process from milk to yogurt. The milk fermentation by the lactic acid bacteria produces morphological, chemical and textural changes. The chemical transformations were followed using micro-Raman spectroscopy, while the aggregation process and some textural properties through the use of dynamic light scattering, viscosity and pH. Samples with three different starter culture concentrations and different incubation temperatures were prepared. The results indicate the presence of two regimes: the first one (primary metabolism) is characterized by an increment in the initial number of bacteria to reach a high concentration according to the conditions of food, temperature and space, together with some initial chemical transformations. The second regime corresponds properly to the fermentation process accelerated by the continuous reduction in pH due to the lactic acid production; this is accompanied by physical and chemical changes where new structures are created. Knowledge of the kinetics of chemical and physical transformations allows having a better control of the final product with an increase in the quality and shelf life of the final product; problems like phase separation, homogeneity, particle size, acidity, etc., can be controlled.