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The antioxidant properties of nine different samples of freshly drawn, pasteurised and UHT milk were examined before and after fermentation with several lactobacilli, individually and in combination with the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii. The results showed no statistical differences for the content in proteins, fats and carbohydrates of the different milk. The antioxidant properties of the unfermented milk were positively affected by the thermal treatment. All samples of fermented milk had a greater antioxidant activity than unfermented but only for the freshly drawn milk that increase was significantly different. The co-incubation of lactobacilli with the yeast determined a stronger antioxidant activity especially for the freshly drawn milk. The stability of the tested strains during storage in standard conditions was determined in UHT fermented milk to enable a possible use in probiotic food production. The results showed that the yeast incubated with lactobacilli determined an improvement of the viability of bacteria. © 2012 The Authors. International Journal of Food Science and Technology © 2012 Institute of Food Science and Technology.