EFFECT OF PAPAYA PULP ADDITION ON THE GROWTH OF LACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS

Effect of papaya pulp addition to skim milk on the growth characteristics of five strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus was investigated. All the strains tested exhibited higher viable counts, shorter generation time, increased acid production, greater sugar utilization and fall in pH upon addition of papaya pulp. The generation time, acid production, sugar utilization and pH values at the end of 18 h fermentation of skim milk by different strains were 150–200 min, 0.29–1.73%, 0.39–2.22 g/100 mL and 3.85–6.10, respectively. The corresponding values for 10% papaya pulp added skim milk blend were 120–143 min, 0.51–1.84%, 0.70–2.79 g/100 mL and 3.70–5.10, respectively. Organoleptic evaluation revealed that papaya pulp addition imparted firmness to the coagulum and thus enhanced the acceptability of the product by eliminating the problem of wheying-off and improved flavor.