Volatile Aromatic Compounds and Fermentation Properties of Fermented Milk with Buckwheat

Abstract We aimed to improve the flavor quality of plain yogurt, which is known to be sour and less desirable in flavor, varying concentrations of a buckwheat saccharification solution (BSS) were added to milk, followed by fermentation with commercially available mixed strains of lactic acid bacteria. Volatile compounds were analyzed using the gas chromatography-headspace-solid phase microextraction (GC-HS-SPME) method. Fermentation properties, including pH, titratable acidity, viable cells, viscosity, and color value were also measured. Eleven volatile compounds were identified with GC-MS. Of which, diacetyl, butanoic acid, and 2-heptanone proportionally increased as the levels of BSS increased. Undesirable compounds such as acetic acid and 2-butanone, decreased as BSS concentration increased. Fermentation properties were significantly altered with the addition of BSS. Our findings indicate that the flavor quality of plain yogurt can be improved by adding BSS for fermentation, with an additional health benefit from buckwheat