Three thermal drying methods (conventional, vacuum and convective) were used for drying of kefir biomass and their effect on cell viability, fermentation rate and other kinetic parameters of lactose and whey fermentation were studied. Convective drying rate was higher than conventional and even higher than vacuum at each studied temperature (28, 33 and 38 degrees C). After that, fermentations were performed by kefir biomass dried by the three drying methods. Ethanol concentration, ethanol productivity and ethanol yield are higher in whey fermentations performed by kefir biomass dried with convective drying method. Regarding lactic acid production, fermentation performed by kefir biomass dried with conventional drying method gave higher concentrations, compared to other drying methods. Storage of kefir biomass convectively dried at 33 degrees C for 4 months, without any precaution decreases its fermentability and thus reduces ethanol (31%) and lactic acid productivity (20%), but remains a promising technology, since a significant part of its initial fermentative activity is retained. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.