Physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of kefir ice cream with the addition of bengkuang (Pachyrhizus erosus (L.)) starch

The technology for fermenting milk kefir and the development in processing kefir ice cream is crucial to produce superior food products that support health. The addition of prebiotics from bengkuang (Pachyrhizus erosus (L.)) starch in making ice cream is the main purpose of improving the quality of kefir ice cream. This research purposed to determine the physicochemical (moisture, ash, protein, fat, phenolics, and DPPH for free radical scavenging activity) and microbiological (lactic acid bacteria, yeast, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Leuconostoc) characteristics of kefir ice cream after the addition of 3, 5, 7 and 9% (w/w) bengkuang starch. This ice cream used fresh cow’s milk, skim milk, kefir, granulated sugar, whipped cream, CMC (Carboxy Methyl Cellulose), egg yolks, and varying amounts of bengkuang starch. The research showed that the best formulation for all physicochemical and microbiological characteristics was the kefir ice cream added with 9% (w/w) bengkuang starch. This product had stable viability of probiotic microbes (both lactic acid bacteria and yeast), the same protein value as the control, low fat, pH suitable for probiotics, high total phenolic content and DPPH value, and low melting rate even though the overrun value was lower compared to controls. The synergistic combination of bengkuang starch and probiotics from kefir in making ice cream has the potential to produce nutritious functional foods that are beneficial for human health.