Abstract
In this study, six different commerical kefir samples obtained from markets were examined. Some physicochemical (% dry matter, % fat, pH, % acidity, % water holding capacity), rheological (viscosity, consistency coefficient, flow behavior index), microbiological (lactobacilli, lactococci, yeast and mould and coliform bacteria counts) and sensory properties of the kefir samples were investigated. The sample coded as K4 had the highest viscosity (461.90 cP at 50 rpm) and consistency coefficient value (K 8.16). Water holding capacity (%38.75) and viscosity (285.87 cP at 100 rpm) values of sample K5 were the highest. The average lactobacilli, lactococci and yeast and mould counts of kefir samples were between 8.15-9.09, 8.39-9.34 and 4.38-5.37 log CFU/mL, respectively. Coliform bacteria were not detected in the samples. As a result of sensorial evaluation, all samples were scored low in terms of sensorial properties.