starter culture

A starter culture is a microbial culture which actually performs fermentation. Starter preparations assist the beginning of the fermentation process in preparation of various foods and fermented drinks. A number of bacterial and other microbial strains have been used either in single or in combination for producing the desired effect in the finished product. 

Definitions

vStarter cultures are bacterial or fungal strains either pure or mixed, used to initiate a fermentation process.

vStarter culture means selected strains of food-grade micro-organisms of known and stable metabolic activities and that is used to produce fermented foods of desirable appearance, body, texture and flavour.

vStarter culture means the micro-organisms that are selected based on their ability to produce lactic acid for curd production and a low pH to prevent spoilage, produce metabolites that give desirable flavours: or produce enzymes that ripen the dairy product.