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Silybum marianum  (Family: Astraceae) is an annual or biennial plant, which  it grows in the most regions of Iran. The extracts of the mature milk thistle seeds are used as medicinal compounds against liver diseases and liver cirrhosis and inhibitor of liver cancer. In this study, oil content,fatty acids profile and phytosterol compounds were determined in three ecotypes which are in north-west of Iran including Khoreslo, Moghan (in Ardabil) and Babakcastle (in East Azerbaijan). The extracted oil contents of the seeds were from 28% to 29.5%. linoleic acid (49-52%) was predominated followed by oleic acid (25-29%) and linolenic acid was in the lowest level in the all samples. Moreover, phytosterols such as β-Sitosterol, Stigmasterol, Campesterol, Cholesterol, Cleroesterol and ∆7- Sterol were determined in the all extracted oil samples by GC, which β-Sitosterol was the highest in comparison to the others in the all samples. Therefore, the highest content of β-Sitosterol (34.9% of total phytosterol) among the three different ecotypes was belonged to Khoreslo ecotype. In conclusion, using of milk thistle seed oil which has high nutritional value is beneficial in production of edible oil in the country.  

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In this study, concentrated yoghurts were produced in four methods, Tuluq and Torba bags, packed in polyethylene containers and physicochemical such as pH, acidity, total solid, protein, fat and salt content, lipolysis, syneresis, proteolysis and sensory properties was evaluated with control yoghurt during 60 days storage period. In analysied samples yoghurt, pH were (3.89-4.56), acidity (0.94-1.70 g/100 g), total solid (12.5-37.5%), protein (3.7-12.5%), fat (2.9-17.9%), salt (0.2-1.3%) content and syneresis (18.5-61.5%). In the of all yoghurt samples, lipolysis increased during storage. Also, in concentrated yoghurts lipolysis was significantly (P>0.05) lower than control yoghurt during storage period. The percentage of pH 4.6-soluble nitrogen/Total nitrogen and Non-protein nitrogen/Total nitrogen in packed and control yoghurt samples increased significantly (P>0.05) during storage but in Tuluq and Torba yoghurts decreased during first 30 days and then increased significantly (P>0.05). Electrophoretic pattern showed that degradation of α_s1- and β-casein were considerable in Tuluq yoghurt. This might be due to endogenous surface bacteria and yeasts activities on Tuluq bag. It was concluded that Tuluq yoghurt had high quality and long shelf-life and it is introduced as a valuable dairy product.  

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Tuluq and Torba bag yoghurt are the traditional concentrated yoghurt that is produced in some parts of Iran such as Azerbaijan. In this study, traditional concentrated yoghurt was produced in four methods, Tuluq and Torba bags, packed in polyethylene containers and was evaluated with control yoghurt during storage time. The chemical properties were included pH, acidity, total solid, fat and protein content. Also samples were evaluated of the Starter cultures such as Streptococcus salivarius ssp. Thermophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. Bulgaricus count, post contamination microbes such as coliform, psychrotrophic bacteria, mold and yeast count and pathogenic microbes such as Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli count. In analysied samples yoghurt, pH were (3.89-4.56), acidity (0.94-1.70 g/100 g), total solid (12.5-37.5%), fat (2.9-17.9%) and protein content (3.7-12.5%). Starter cultures decreased during storage time. Streptococcus Thermophilus count was more than Lactobacillus Bulgaricus count during storage time. Psychrotrophic bacteria mold and yeast count increased during storage time but the coliform, staphylococcus aureus and E. coli bacteria did not change. The results revealed that Tuluq yoghurt not only has high nutritional quality and microbiological properties but also has long shelf-life and it can be introduced as a valuable dairy product.

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The effect of addition of a commercial enzyme derived from Bacillus Polymyxa type IX on Iranian UF-Feta cheese during a 60- day ripening period on chemical composition, pH and proteolysis of cheese samples was investigated. No Significant differences were observed in the chemical composition between experimental and control cheeses. ​​In experimental cheese, pH values were significantly (P< 0.05) higher throughout whole ripening period and at 60d  it was 4.6 and 4.77 in control and experimental cheeses, respectively. Soluble nitrogen in pH=4.6 was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in experimental cheese at 45 and 60d.  At 60d, this index was 6.38 and 7.73% in the control and experimental treatments, respectively. Significant difference in the level of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) 12% was also observed at 45 and 60d. Urea- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the pH 4.6-insoluble fractions showed that αs₁-casein was hydrolysed faster than the β-casein. Intact αs₁-casein values from 100 % on the first day reached to 82.93 % and 71.24 % and in β- casein reached to 90.28 and 90.56% at 60d in control and experimental cheeses, respectively. The concentration of total free amino acids in whole ripening period was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in experimental cheese and at the end of the ripening period was 0.68 versus 0.54 in control cheese (mg Glycine/g cheese). Levels of individual free amino acids were also different between treatments.