The present invention relates to a process for producing a fermented milk product comprising the steps of 1) adding a starter culture comprising at least one lactic acid bacteria strain to a milk base, 2) fermenting the milk for a period of time until a target pH is reached, 3) using a starter culture comprising at least one lactose-deficient strain, which is capable of metabolizing a non-lactose carbohydrate, and 4) adding a low pH stable lactase to the process either at the start, during or at the end of the fermentation step, wherein the low pH stable lactase retains its activity at a pH of 5.0 and a temperature of 37 C. at a level of at least 5% as compared to its activity at the optimum pH of the lactase.

The invention relates to the field of dairy technology. The invention specifically relates to a Streptococcus thermophilus starter strain and composition comprising such strain, to methods to produce a fermented milk product using such strain or composition and to dairy products produced using such strain or composition.

The present invention relates to a bacterial cell with texturizing property, starter cultures comprising the cell, and dairy products manufactured using the bacterial cell.

The present invention provides a lactic acid bacterial fermentation-promoting agent suitable for use in food production. The present invention relates to a fermentation promoting agent for Streptococcus thermophilus, comprising a solution prepared by exposing an alkaline solution comprising a reducing sugar to a temperature in the range of 5 C. or more and 135 C. or less to induce a color reaction of sugar, and a production method thereof; and a method for promoting fermentation for Streptococcus thermophilus using the fermentation promoting agent and a method for producing a fermented food such as fermented milk.

The present invention provides a lactic acid bacterial fermentation-promoting agent and a fermentation method suitable for use in food production. The present invention relates to a fermentation promoting agent for a lactic acid bacterium, having a compound having a purine skeleton with a hydrogen atom attached to the carbon atom at position 2, and a method for promoting fermentation for a lactic acid bacterium using the same and a method for producing a fermented food such as fermented milk.

A pentosidine production inhibitor including a lactic acid bacterium fermentation product as an active ingredient, which has a stronger action and a high safety as a component having an action of inhibiting production of pentosidine.

The present invention provides a banana fermentation product, which is obtained by subjecting a banana pulp juice to a pre-fermentation and then a post-fermentation, wherein the pre-fermentation is conducted in the presence of Streptococcus thermophiles and yeast and the post-fermentation is conducted in the presence of Acetobacter. The banana fermentation product of the present invention is effective in anti-oxidation, increasing the amount of probiotics in the intestinal tract, reducing the amount of bad bacteria in the intestinal tract, and relieving constipation symptoms. The banana fermentation product of the present invention can further be used for providing an edible composition or a pharmaceutical composition.

Process for the production of starter cultures for the production of dairy products having predetermined properties, wherein the starter cultures are treated with pulsed electric fields (PEF) of rectangular monopolar high voltage pulses of a field strength of 0.2 to 1 kV/cm with a pulse duration of 5 to 8 ?s at a frequency of 1 to 21 Hz for 20 to 80 pulses, for each parameter respectively ?15% or ?10% or ?5%.

The present invention relates to mutants of lactic acid bacteria which are resistant to the antibiotic ampicillin and which were found to give an increased texture when grown in milk while maintaining the other growth properties of the parent strain. The present invention, furthermore, relates to compositions comprising such mutants, and to dairy products fermented with the lactic acid bacteria resistant to ampicillin.

The present application relates to fermented milk comprising allulose-containing saccharides, wherein the allulose is contained in an amount of 70 parts by weight or more with respect to 100 parts by weight of the saccharides on a dry solids basis.