Acidophilus Milk and Its Importance

Acidophilus milk is a sour milk product that has beenparatyphoid, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, migraine and
allowed to ferment under conditions that favour theurological infections. Experiments have revealed that
growth and development of a large number ofthe body weight of a child or animal increases when
Lactobacillus acidophilus organisms. This acidophilusfed with milk containing acidophilus organisms.
milk is considered as a probiotic since it aids in theMETHOD OF MANUFACTURE OF ACIDOPHILUS
well being of the consumer. Acidophilus milk differsMILK
from Indian dahi or curd in that the milk used in theThe acidophilus milk containing Lactobacillus acidophilus
preparation and the types of microorganisms involveddiffer in the type of starter culture and milk used for
are different. The final products differ from curd intheir preparation. Acidophilus sour milk, as the name
body, texture, consistency, flavour, chemicalindicates, is a sour milk beverage made out of
composition and in antibacterial activities.standardized milk by acidifying it with pure culture of
Utility of acidophilus milkacidophilus rods. Milk cultures of L. acidophilus have
Products of mixed fermentation such as acidophilusthe therapeutic value but do not possess the buttery
yeast milk, being rich in alcohol and carbon dioxide,acetaldehyde flavour of the regular fermented milk
excite the respiratory and central nervous system.such as curd and yoghurt.
This improves the process of oxidation and reduction· The milk meant for preparation of acidophilus milk
in the organism and hence there is an increase in theis standardized to 3.5% fat and 8.5% SNF content.
oxygen flow to the lungs. In the erstwhile Soviet· The standardized milk is sterilized and cooled to
Union, acidophilus yeast milk is widely used in treating40°C.
tuberculosis.· The milk is then inoculated with 24 hours old pure
The recent emphasis on feeding Lactobacilli isculture of L. acidophilus at the rate of 2-3%.
attributed to the side effects of antibiotics.· It is filled into clean glass or plastic containers (200
Antibiotics damage all the viable intestinalml volume) and incubated at 40°C for 8 hours.
microorganisms (desirable or pathogenic) and cause· The acidophilus milk is then cooled and stored at
intestinal discomforts manifested by flatulence and5°C till it is consumed.
diarrhoea. Colonization of L. acidophilus in theThe acidophilus milk thus obtained is sour with 1 to
intestines accelerates the return to normalcy of1.25% lactic acid and pH 3.7 - 4.0. The product should
intestinal microflora. A Romanian strain of L.contain more than 2000-3000 million viable L.
acidophilus is claimed to have been developed for theacidophilus organisms per ml, which possess
treatment of gastrointestinal disorders but it alsosatisfactory antibiotic effect against E. coli as well as
helps in the improvement of general vigour andother pathogenic and non-pathogenic undesirable
health.bacteria present in the intestinal tract. The viability of
It is reported that acidophilus milk product combinedthe organism is of primary importance in the use of
with chemotherapeutic preparations can also be usedthe acidophilus milk. The acidophilus milk can be
effectively for several diseases such as typhoid,preserved up to a week, below 5°C.