Butter culture media

CSK food enrichment has a long tradition in the dairy industry as a producer of dairy ingredients. The expertise in bulk starter production for butter is used for the development of a broad portfolio of culture media, which are optimally adjusted to the existing Ceska^®-star bulk starter cultures.

Characteristics and properties

Culture media are a complex blend of skimmed milk powder, whey proteins, phosphate salts, yeast
extracts and other specific growing agents. Culture media are used to improve bulk starter production
of butter as an alternative for skimmed milk to ensure a robust system with a consistent acid
production, predictable activity and a high protection against phage infection.

Benefits of Ceska^®-media

Improved cultures yield

The growth of the culture is maximised by optimal nutrition and growth conditions, due to:

• fast adaptation of the culture after inoculation;
• presence of specific minerals and compounds, which stimulate bacterial growth;
• a buffered acidity system, which maximise the bacteria cell counts;
• culture media are free of any inhibitors like e.g. antibiotics.

Improved production yield

When comparing Ceska^® -media with milk powder on basis of 20% (w/w) of dry matter, Ceska^® -media
is a cheaper TSNF source.

Fermentation time

When comparing Ceska^® -media with milk powder on basis of 20% (w/w) of dry matter the fermentation time till citric acid is fermented is much shorter. When optimising the yield of butter, the dry matter of media can be increased without negative effects on the fermentation time.

Diacetyl content

When comparing Ceska^® -media with milk powder on basis of 20% (w/w) of dry matter the diacetyl content in Ceska^® -media is 50% higher after mixing with permeate and aeration.

Protection against bacteriophage infection

Ceska^® -media contains special phosphate salts, which reduce the amount of available Ca²⁺ ions. In this way bulk starter becomes less susceptible to bacteriophage infections.

Especially the diacethyl producing culture is very phage sensitive, which may cause variable diacetyl levels. Therefore, media is very important to reach more constant diacetyl levels.

Besides, the presence of phosphate salts buffers the acidity, which results in an increase in cell counts and thus a more robust system in case of high bacteriophage infection.

Consistent acidification performance

Due to optimal nutrition and growth conditions a robust system is ensured, which results in a consistent acidification performance, a predictable activity and thus an improved final product consistency.

Availability

With Ceska^® -media all milk is available for production, which makes planning of the amount of skimmed milk for bulk starter production not necessary.

Cost effective

An increased culture yield can also be used to reduce the percentage of culture addition up to 20-30%. This results in an energy and cost reduction on the one hand and a capacity increase on the other hand.

Quality of bulk starter

As the bulkstarter reaches its optimum at a higher pH with Ceska^® -media than with skimmed milk, the vitality and activity of the bulk starter is higher for longer periods.

Media types

Ceska^® -media are available in a dust free and a dust reduced version. The dust reduced version is specific developed for addition via triblender, whereas the dust free version is agglomerated and specific developed for addition via manhole. The agglomerated version also has a higher solubility.

Microbiological composition

Quality Control

Ceska^® -media is delivered with a high and constant quality, thanks to quality control procedures (ISO 9001). Ceska^® -media are carefully checked for their physical-chemical and microbiological properties. Strict control of the production process and standardisation procedures result in an end product that meets the HACCP requirements and all the current high quality demands. The procedures used by CSK are conform international guidelines and recommendations.

Packaging

The culture media within the Ceska^® -media range are delivered as powder in 25 kg or 12,5 kg bags of paper with polyethylene inlay or in bigbags with variable content.

Storage and shelf life

The quality of Ceska^® -media is guaranteed for 9 months after production, provided it is stored in the closed original packaging under cool and dry conditions at ambient temperatures.

Consultancy

CSK’s technology experts will help you to apply cultures, culture media, setting up your bulk starter production room for preparing bulk starters, implementing the NIZO procedure and optimising your process, especially the dry solids content in the butter. Our goal is to achieve the maximum value of your milk fat and by-products.

This publication is solely intended for information purposes. CSK food enrichment cannot be held liable for the contents. This specifically applies in cases where its products are used in violation with prevailing legislation and rules and/or licenses.