Effects of milk fat replacement by PUFA enriched fats on n-3 fatty acids, conjugated dienes and volatile compounds of fermented milks

A study was carried out to determine the profiles of fatty acids in fermented milks and dairy derivatives made with milk fat substituted by polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-enriched fat. In order to improve the organoleptic properties of those products, whey protein concentrates (WPC) were added during the manufacturing process. Interest was focused during manufacturing and storage period on the contents of >healthy> fatty acids, mainly conjugated linoleic acid and n-3 PUFA. Contents of these fatty acids were not affected by the manufacture practices and neither did addition of WPC during manufacturing nor cold storage cause their decrease. Percentages of total n-3 fatty acids in fat from dairy derivatives enriched in PUFA after 21 d of storage (1.45%) were very close to those obtained before processing (1.39%). Contents did not differ either substantially when WPC were added during manufacturing (1.46%). The increase of volatile compounds was also examined. Although a slight decrease in the total volatile content was observed, percentages of different compounds were not modified when milk fat was substituted by PUFA enriched fat.The authors acknowledge the financial support for this research to the projects AGL2000-0727-CO-02 and AGL2002-00887 furnished by the Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología (Spain).Peer Reviewe