Abstract
The study aims to explore an effective approach to improve the sensory quality and consumer satisfaction of cookies in the food industry. L. reuteri and L. rhamnosus were chosen to ferment egg yolk and their effects on dough properties and physicochemical properties, flavor, texture, color, and sensory acceptability of cookies were studied. Results show that the utilization of fermented egg yolk significantly decreased baking loss and increased spread factor of cookies. GC-MS analysis indicates different Lactobacillus species enhanced cookie flavor through unique mechanisms. Texture analysis shows cookies prepared with L. rhamnosus-fermented egg yolk had significantly lower hardness (1807.12 g) than control cookies (2028.34 g). Sensory evaluation reveals the L. reuteri-fermented egg yolk significantly improved the overall acceptability of cookies by enhancing appearance, flavor, and mouthfeel scores. These findings have practical implications for food manufacturers seeking to enhance their product's quality and appeal, thereby gaining a competitive edge in the market.