Quality parameters optimization of camel milk yogurt treated with microbial transglutaminase and enriched with pumpkin peel using response surface methodology

The manufacturing of camel milk yogurt, following the same process as for cow's milk, has various obstacles, including poor structure and unsatisfactory texture. We plan to develop camel milk yogurt utilizing microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) and incorporating pumpkin ( Cucurbita maxima ) peel powder (PPP). Before starting, we would like to optimize the conditions for using MTGase and pumpkin peel powder. A response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the independent variables of the yogurt to achieve high-quality responses. A three-level Box–Behnken design was employed, including three factors: MTGase levels (X1: 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 %), PPP levels (X2: 0.5, 0.75, and 1 %), and MTGase reaction time (X3: 20, 40, and 60 min). The responses utilized were total phenolic content (TPC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, pH, acidity, hardness, color change (ΔE), water holding capacity (WHC), and syneresis. The model demonstrated highly significant ( p < 0.0001) validity ( R 2 = 0.917–0.999). The RSM model validity was corroborated by the experimental response results, which closely aligned with the predicted values under the processing conditions of MTGase (0.8 %), PPP (1 %), and MTGase reaction time (20 min). The produced camel milk yogurt under these conditions exhibited quality attributes of 174.48 mg GAE/100 g, 68.97 %, 4.47, 0.77 %, 19.03 g, 8.74, 65.80 %, and 35.86 % for the responses, respectively. The developed yogurt is expected to be of high quality, with promising applications in the industry. • Production of camel milk yogurt (CMY) is a challenge due to low coagulation of CM. • CMY developed using microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) and pumpkin peels powder (PPP). • CMY processing conditions were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). • MTGase and PPP optimum conditions produced CMY with better quality attributes.