Production of reduced-fat Labneh cheese with inulin and -glucan fibre-based fat replacer

The beneficial role of dietary fibre in human nutrition and effects of properties on fermented dairy products have led to a growing demand for the incorporation of novel fibre-based fat replacers. The aim of the present work was to investigate the possibility of using inulin and oat-based -glucan in Labneh cheese and to analyse the physico-chemical, textural and sensory properties of the resulting product. The results showed that the textural and sensory properties of the cheese with addition of inulin increased at a 12% fat ratio. Overall, full-fat and reduced-fat Labneh cheeses were firmer and had better flavour than all the low-fat cheeses. However, inulin and oat -glucan, as fermentable fibres, were also degraded as fermentable fibres to produce organic acids and had the potential for use as fat replacers in low-fat dairy systems.