The role of interaction between yeasts and lactic acid bacteria in African fermented milks: a review

Yeasts are present in indigenous African fermented milks in numbers up to log 8 cfu g(-1), together with a varied lactic acid bacteria (LAB) flora, and therefore potentially contribute to product characteristics. However, interaction between yeasts and LAB in these products has received little notice. In studies of indigenous fermented milk in Zimbabwe and Uganda, many samples contained more than one species of yeast, but Saccharomyces cerevisiae was most commonly isolated. Other frequent isolates were other species of Saccharomyces and several species of Candida. Most yeast isolates were lactose-negative but usually galactose-positive. Some strains assimilated lactate and citrate. The growth in milk of strains of yeasts and LAB, isolated from naturally soured milk in Zimbabwe, and their interaction when selected pairs of strains were grown together has been studied. Interactions were shown by the significantly different amounts of certain metabolites produced, such as acetaldehyde and malty aldehydes, when co-cultures were compared to pure cultures. Preliminary sensory acceptance tests did not show, however, that milks made from a co-culture with Candida kefyr and LAB were preferable to the pure LAB culture. Further work is still needed to elucidate the reactions that may be taking place in fermented milk between varying LAB and yeast populations. The potential for use as starter cultures depends on various aspects, including the final product being prepared. The role of other microorganisms in naturally fermented milk also needs to be studied.