This research studies the physical and chemical characteristics of dairy beverages formulated with three different concentrations (30, 40 and 50 %) of Minas cheese whey, using two kinds of dairy cultures: the traditional yogurt (YC--180) culture, holding mixed strains of Streptococcus salivarus subsp. thermophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, and the alternate (ABY--1), holding mixed strains of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacteria and Streptococcus salivarius subsp. thermophilus. The dairy beverages showed statistical differences for fat and dry extract contents at zero time. The higher the whey content in relation to milk was, the lower the fat and dry extract content. The protein level also decreased as the whey level was increased. This difference, however, was not as remarkable as that for fat and dry extract contents. Concerning lactose, no difference was observed among the treatments. The different whey concentrations did not influence the proteolysis rate. However, beverages prepared using ABY--1 probiotic culture have shown higher values for proteolysis when compared to beverages from YC -- 180 cultures. The dairy beverages formulated with 30% whey had higher viscosity values. Beverages prepared using YC-180 culture have shown higher values for viscosity during the storage period.
fermented dairy beverage; physical characteristic; chemical characteristic; Minas cheese whey
