Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a fermented milk product comprising adding lactic acid bacteria to milk, wherein the bacteria comprise Lactobacillus casei and at least one further strain of lactic acid bacteria of a species other than Lactobacillus casei, wherein the further strain has a deficiency in lactose metabolism but is capable of metabolizing one or several carbohydrates other than lactose present in the milk.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for producing fermented milk products with increased amount of probiotic bacteria. In particular, the invention relates to a process for producing a fermented milk which comprises adding to a milk base (i) a starter culture comprising at least one lactose-deficient Streptococcus thermophilus strain, which is capable of metabolizing a non-lactose carbohydrate, and at least one lactose-deficient Lactobacillus strain, which is capable of metabolizing a non-lactose carbohydrate, (ii) one or more non-lactose carbohydrate capable of being metabolized by the lactic acid bacteria, in an amount measured so as to become depleted when the pH of the fermented milk product is between 4.9 and 5.5 and (iii) a probiotic strain selected from a Lactobacillus strain and a Bifidobacterium strain. In addition, the present invention relates to compositions and to fermented milk food or feed products produced by the process of the invention.

Abstract: The dairy industry today faces a problem of providing an alternative to adding sweeteners to fermented milk products in order to achieve the desired sweet taste without the added calories. Furthermore, it would be highly advantageous to establish a method for reducing lactose in fermented milk products to a level which is acceptable for lactose-intolerant consumers. The above problems have been solved by providing mutant Streptococcus thermophilus strains and mutant Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus strains that excrete glucose to the milk when the milk is inoculated and fermented with such Streptococcus thermophilus strains and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp, bulgaricus strains.

Abstract: Described are mutant Streptococcus thermophilus strains and mutant Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus strains that excrete glucose into milk when the milk is inoculated and fermented with such strains. Methods for obtaining such strains without genetic modification are described, including methods for obtaining such Streptococcus thermophilus strains by selecting and isolating from a pool of Streptococcus thermophilus strains derived from a galactose-fermenting Streptococcus thermophilus mother strain a pool of Streptococcus thermophilus strains which are resistant to 2-deoxyglucose, and selecting and isolating from the pool of Streptococcus thermophilus strains which are resistant to 2-deoxyglucose a Streptococcus thermophilus strain which exhibits a growth rate in M17 medium+2% galactose higher than its growth rate in M17 medium+2% glucose. The strains are useful for decreasing the lactose content of a fermented food product and for boosting growth of the probiotic BB-12®.

Abstract: The dairy industry today faces a problem of providing an alternative to adding sweeteners to fermented milk products in order to achieve the desired sweet taste without the added calories. Furthermore, it would be highly advantageous to establish a method for reducing lactose in fermented milk products to a level which is acceptable for lactose-intolerant consumers. The above problems have been solved by providing mutant Streptococcus thermophilus strains and mutant Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus strains that excrete glucose to the milk when the milk is inoculated and fermented with such Streptococcus thermophilus strains and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp, bulgaricus strains.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of producing a fermented milk product comprising a step wherein milk is fermented, wherein: (a) the fermentation is initiated by a starter culture, which starter culture comprises lactic acid bacteria capable of metabolizing one or several carbohydrates present in the milk, (b) the fermentation is terminated by a decrease of the concentration of the one or several carbohydrates during fermentation, and (c) the decrease is at least also caused by the metabolic activity of the lactic acid bacteria. The invention further provides respective methods comprising a step, wherein at least part of the whey is separated from the fermented milk product.

Abstract: The dairy industry today faces a problem of providing an alternative to adding sweeteners to fermented milk products in order to achieve the desired sweet taste without the added calories. Furthermore, it would be highly advantageous to establish a method for reducing lactose in fermented milk products to a level which is acceptable for lactose-intolerant consumers. The above problems have been solved by providing mutant Streptococcus thermophilus strains and mutant Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus strains that excrete glucose to the milk when the milk is inoculated and fermented with such Streptococcus thermophilus strains and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp, bulgaricus strains.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a fermented milk product comprising adding lactic acid bacteria to milk, wherein the bacteria comprise Lactobacillus casei and at least one further strain of lactic acid bacteria of a species other than Lactobacillus casei, wherein the further strain has a deficiency in lactose metabolism but is capable of metabolizing one or several carbohydrates other than lactose present in the milk.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of producing a fermented milk product comprising a step wherein milk is fermented, wherein: (a) the fermentation is initiated by a starter culture, which starter culture comprises lactic acid bacteria capable of metabolizing one or several carbohydrates present in the milk, (b) the fermentation is terminated by a decrease of the concentration of the one or several carbohydrates during fermentation, and (c) the decrease is at least also caused by the metabolic activity of the lactic acid bacteria. The invention further provides respective methods comprising a step, wherein at least part of the whey is separated from the fermented milk product.

Abstract: The dairy industry today faces a problem of providing an alternative to adding sweeteners to fermented milk products in order to achieve the desired sweet taste without the added calories. Furthermore, it would be highly advantageous to establish a method for reducing lactose in fermented milk products to a level which is acceptable for lactose-intolerant consumers. The above problems have been solved by providing mutant Streptococcus thermophilus strains and mutant Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus strains that excrete glucose to the milk when the milk is inoculated and fermented with such Streptococcus thermophilus strains and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp, bulgaricus strains.