Quality attributes of dahi prepared from milk fortified with omega-3 fatty acids, phytosterols and polydetxrose.

In the present study, dahi prepared using milk fortified with omega-3 fatty acids (flaxseed oil), phytosterols and soluble fibre (polydextrose) through an oil-in-water emulsion was evaluated for the physico-chemical and sensory quality. The levels of fortificants in fortified dahi were also estimated. Fortification process did not affect the degree of fermentation in terms of pH and acidity. Sensory scores of fortified and control dahi did not differ significantly. Fortified dahi had lower viscosity, firmness and consistency, and higher water holding capacity (WHC) compared to control; however, significant differences were not observed in firmness and consistency values. Storage study indicated that pH, acidity, %WHC, firmness and consistency values and lactic acid bacterial counts did not differ significantly throughout storage period in both the dahi samples and recorded good sensory acceptability during storage. Fortified dahi provides 282.53 mg, 415.92 mg and 1.019 g of α-linolenic acid, total phytosterols and polydextrose, respectively per 100 g of product. Moreover, no loss in the initial content of ALA, phytosterols and polydextrose had occurred after 8 days of storage period. The present study suggests the feasibility of adding flaxseed oil, phytosterols and polydextrose as functional ingredients in the form of water soluble emulsion to milk, which could be converted to dahi with acceptable properties and enhanced nutritional and therapeutic potency.