A variety of foods fermented with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) serve as dietary staples in many countries. The incorporation of health-promoting probiotics into fermented milk products can have profound effects on human health. Considering the health benefits of Yakult, the current study was undertaken to develop an enriched Yakult-like fermented skimmed milk drink by the addition of two probiotic strains, namely Lacticaseibacillus casei (Lc) and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (Lr). The prepared drinks were compared in terms of various parameters, including their physicochemical properties, proximate chemical composition, mineral estimation, microbial viable count, antioxidant activity, and sensory evaluation. Each strain was employed at five different concentrations, including 1% (T₁), 1.5% (T₂), 2% (T₃), 2.5% (T₄), and 3% (T₅). The prepared Yakult samples were stored at 4 °C and analyzed on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 to evaluate biochemical changes. The findings revealed that the concentration of the starter culture had a significant (p ≤ 0.05) impact on the pH value and moisture and protein contents, but had no marked impact on the fat or ash content of the developed product. With the Lc strain, Yakult’s moisture content ranged from 84.25 ± 0.09 to 85.65 ± 0.13%, whereas with the Lr strain, it was from 84.24 ± 0.08 to 88.75 ± 0.13%. Protein levels reached their highest values with T₅ (3% concentration). The acidity of all treatments increased significantly due to fermentation and, subsequently, pH showed a downward trend (p ≤ 0.05). The total soluble solids (TSS) content decreased during storage with Lc as compared to Lr, but the presence of carbohydrates had no appreciable impact. The drink with Lc exhibited a more uniform texture and smaller pore size than Yakult with Lr. Except for the iron values, which showed an increasing trend, the contents of other minerals decreased in increasing order of the added probiotic concentration used: 1% (T₁), 1.5% (T₂), 2% (T₃), 2.5% (T₄), and 3% (T₅). The highest lactobacilli viable count of 8.69 ± 0.43 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL was observed with the T₁ Lr-containing drink at the end of the storage period. Regarding the storage stability of the drink, the highest value for DPPH (88.75 ± 0.13%) was found with the T₁ Lc drink on day 15, while the highest values for FRAP (4.86 ± 2.80 mmol Fe²⁺/L), TPC (5.97 ± 0.29 mg _GAE/mL), and TFC (3.59 ± 0.17 mg _GAE/mL) were found with the T₅ Lr drink on day 28 of storage. However, the maximum value for ABTS (3.59 ± 0.17%) was noted with the T₅ Lr drink on the first day of storage. The results of this study prove that Lc and Lr can be used in dairy-based fermented products and stored at refrigerated temperatures.

The demand for clean-label products continues to rise, as consumers increasingly prioritize natural and transparent ingredient lists. Natural substances are generally deemed safe for consumption by consumers. This study was focused on the development of clean-label ostrich meat patties with Chenopodium album extract and their storage stability. To prepare C. album extract, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) were employed. Ostrich meat patties were prepared using diverse combinations of extract, including 1% UAE, 2% UAE, 1% MAE, 2% MAE, 0.5% UAE+0.5% MAE, and 1% UAE + 1% MAE. The highest pH was observed for MAE in T3 on the 14th day (6.19 ± 0.03). The L* value was observed between 39.12 ± 1.09 and 44.00 ± 1.1. As storage intervals passed, the a* and b* values of ostrich meat patties decreased. After the 14th day of storage, the best results were obtained from 2% UAE (T2), with the lowest TBRAS, Peroxide value (POV), and Total of volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) readings recorded for T2 (0.74 ± 0.02 MDA/kg, 0.56 ± 0.01 meq peroxide/kg, and 6.28 ± 0.40 mg/100 mL, respectively). At the end of the storage study, the lowest Total Microbial Count (TMC) and coliform count were recorded for T2 (8.08 ± 0.03 and 4.97 ± 0.05 cfu/mL, respectively). At the end of the storage study, T2 exhibited the highest values for total phenolic content (TPC), diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assay, namely of T2 122 ± 0.28 mg GAE/100 g, 73 ± 0.27%, 5.9 ± 0.01 mmol FSE/100 g, and 83 ± 0.08 mmol/L, respectively. The current study concludes that the UAE extract of C. album incorporated into ostrich meat patties manifests improved safety, quality, and storage stability. The implementation of clean label strategies can facilitate food manufacturers to align with consumer preferences for product transparency and sustainability while ensuring product safety and quality.