Production,characterization and use of expendable kefir starter culture in the kefir production process

Upon sterilization, freeze-dried kefir grains are to be supplemented with yeast preparation, yeast showing the lowest survival in the course of freeze drying. A mixture of 20% sucrose solution and starch appeared to be the most efficient dispersing agent to protect yeast in the freeze-drying process. A starter which is produced with the kefir starter culture, does not differ in its microbiological, biochemical and organoleptic properties from a starter as obtained with kefir grains in the same time, such starter shows a better consistency. The preparation of such starters is less laborious and less complicated than the preparation of starters using kefir grains.