Abstract: A process for manufacture of fermented whey having a high concentration of divalent ion propionate is disclosed in which a whey medium having a solids content ranging from about 0.5% to about 18% by weight is prefermented with a galactose and glucose utilizing lactic acid producing organism, neutralized with a divalent metallic ion hydroxide and sterilized. The sterilized medium is then inoculated with a propionic acid-producing bacterium and incubated for a sufficient period of time to produce a high concentration of divalent metallic ion propionate. The divalent metallic ion is preferably calcium, and the whey medium preferably contains yeast extract.

Abstract: Fermented whey having a high concentration of calcium propionate is produced by fermenting whey in a two-stage sequential fermentation process. A whey medium is fermented with a lactic acid-producing organism to produce lactic acid, neutralized with calcium hydroxide, sterilized, and then fermented with a propionic acid-producing organism. The whey medium contains yeast extract and about 0.5% to about 18.0% whey solids.