PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bifidobacteria-containing condensed fermented milk which contains bifidobacteria with high viable cell counts, inhibiting reduction in the number of bifidobacteria during storage.SOLUTION: The production method of a bifidobacteria-containing condensed fermented milk includes: a fermentation step of adding lactic acid bacteria to a sterilized milk formula liquid which contains a milk raw material for fermentation a heat treatment step of heat treating the fermentation product produced by the fermentation and a condensation step of condensing the fermentation product after the heat treatment step. The conditions in the heat treatment step include: a heating temperature of 53 to 65°C, a heating time period of 1 minute or more a number of lactic acid bacteria after the heat treatment of 1×107 CFU/ml or more and a pH in a heat retention testing at 45°C for 4 hours after the heat treatment being higher than the pH in the heat retention testing without the heat treatment. After the heat treatment step and before the condensation step, bifidobacteria are added to the heat treated fermentation product.COPYRIGHT: (C)2014,JPO&INPIT【課題】ビフィズス菌を高い生菌数で含み、保存中におけるビフィズス菌数の低下が抑制された、ビフィズス菌入り濃縮発酵乳を提供する。【解決手段】ビフィズス菌を含む濃縮発酵乳を製造する方法であって、乳原料を含む殺菌調乳液に乳酸菌を添加して発酵させる発酵工程と、前記発酵により得られた発酵物を加熱処理する加熱処理工程と、前記加熱処理後の発酵物を濃縮する濃縮工程を有し、前記加熱処理工程の条件を、加熱温度53~65℃、加熱時間1分間以上、該加熱処理後の乳酸菌数が1×107CFU/ml以上、かつ該加熱処理後に45℃で4時間保温する保温試験を行ったときのpHが、該加熱処理を行わずに該保温試験を行ったときのpHよりも高くなる条件とし、前記加熱処理工程の後、前記濃縮工程の前に、前記加熱処理後の発酵物にビフィズス菌を添加することを特徴とする、ビフィズス菌入り濃縮発酵乳の製造方法。【選択図】図1
