The effect of transglutaminase on the properties of milk gels and processed cheese

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of transglutaminase (TG) on rennet coagulation properties, and the impact on the properties of processed cheese. The TG was added before, at the same time as, and after the addition of rennet. The parameters moisture, total solids and proteins and physical parameters (syneresis index, wheying‐off and rheological behaviour) were measured. The manufacturing of the milk gels treated with transglutaminase after rennet addition was shown to be an effective means of improving the physical properties (reduced synereseis index and increased consistency index) of processed cheese, possible by the occurrence of enzymatic cross‐linking.     

解淀粉芽孢杆菌GSBa-1凝乳酶在马苏里拉干酪中的应用

对分离自酒曲的1 株解淀粉芽孢杆菌GSBa-1发酵所产凝乳酶进行研究,该酶凝乳活力高而蛋白水解活力低,纯酶凝乳活力可达1.46×106 SU/g;使用该凝乳酶和商品凝乳酶制作马苏里拉干酪,并对干酪理化成分、成熟过程中pH值和微生物指标及干酪成熟前后质构特性、游离脂肪酸、可溶性蛋白、风味和干酪性能等指标进行对比分析。结果显示,理化成分上菌株凝乳酶与商品凝乳酶制作的干酪相接近（P＜0.05）。干酪在成熟过程中,发酵剂存活数先增加后减少,但其差异不大;菌株凝乳酶制作的干酪pH 4.6可溶性蛋白含量较多,干酪的游离氨基酸总量（76 mg/100 g）也高于商品凝乳酶制作的干酪游离氨基酸总量（55.3 mg/100 g）;菌株凝乳酶制作的干酪质构特性优于商品凝乳酶制作的干酪;电镜结果显示,菌株凝乳酶制作的干酪内部网状结构更充实;菌株凝乳酶具有稍强的蛋白水解活力,导致其制作的干酪风味物质种类多于商品凝乳酶制作的干酪,风味物质更加丰富。干酪样品的保形性和拉丝性实验测定结果显示,2 种凝乳酶制作的干酪性能差异不大（P＞0.05）;对2 种凝乳酶制作的干酪进行感官评定,其总评分相接近。以上结果表明,解淀粉芽孢杆菌GSBa-1凝乳酶在一定程度上可代替小牛凝乳酶应用于马苏里拉干酪的生产。     

Compositional,biochemical and textural changes during ripening of Tulum cheese made with different coagulants

In the present study, biochemical, chemical and texture changes in Tulum cheeses made using calf rennet and microbial rennets (Aspergillus niger protease and Rhizomucor miehei protease) were compared during ripening for up to 90 days. A total of 15 free fatty acids (FFAs) were detected in the cheese samples. The peroxide values (PV) of the cheeses increased significantly (P < 0.05) during ripening and the cheese made with calf rennet had the highest PV. Proteolysis in the cheeses increased as the ripening time increased. α_s1‐casein and β‐casein degradation was higher in cheeses manufactured with R. miehei protease. Cheeses made with calf rennet were significantly (P < 0.05) harder, more adhesive, more cohesive and more resilient than those made with microbial rennet.     

转谷氨酰胺酶交联乳蛋白对新鲜干酪特性的影响

利用转谷氨酰胺酶(TG)交联酪蛋白,研究其对新鲜干酪凝乳的成分和质构特征的影响。结果表明,TG能够加速凝乳发酵过程,提高乳中蛋白质和脂肪的回收率,并显著降低了乳清中的蛋白含量,对凝乳的质构特征也具有明显修饰作用。但与凝乳酶同时作用时,TG酶对凝乳的修饰作用不显著。     

Simultaneous use of transglutaminase and rennet in white-brined cheese production

The effects of renneting temperature (30 °C or 34 °C) on textural properties, proteolysis and yield of white-brined cheese made by simultaneous use of microbial transglutaminase (mTG) and rennet were investigated. Incorporation of mTG resulted in higher yield values for experimental cheeses than for the control cheeses at both renneting temperatures. The total solids contents of the cheeses treated with mTG were remarkably lower than the control cheeses; but the former cheeses had higher protein-in-dry matter levels. The TPA profiles of the cheeses showed that the incorporation of mTG led to modification in the textural properties. The development of proteolysis in the cheeses treated with mTG was slightly slower than the control cheeses at both coagulation temperatures. To conclude, the specific action of mTG on milk proteins could be successfully exploited to modify the textural properties and to increase the yield of white-brined cheese.     

Estimation of crispness and consumer acceptance of fried potato chips by mechanical and acoustic measurements

Fried potato chips retaining various moisture contents (MCs) (2.21–9.20%) were analysed to estimate the intensity of crispness and consumer acceptance by texture and acoustic measurements. The MC of the chips was highly correlated with the mechanical maximum force (MMF) in the texture measurement, total area (MTA) and number of sound peaks (NSP) in the acoustic measurement. The intensities of crispness and consumer acceptance decreased as the MC of potato chips increased. For the predictive models established, the combined use of mechanical and acoustic parameters was shown to better predict sensory crispness intensity [R² = 0.975, root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) = 0.138] and consumer overall liking (R² = 0.966, RMSEP = 0.111) than either parameter alone. Based on the instrumental‐sensory crispness equivalent table established, the estimated values of the MTA were below 71.24, while the NSP should be above 22.81 to meet ‘slightly like’ category of consumer acceptance.     

Identification of radical scavenging peptides (<3 kDa) from Burgos-type cheese

The aim of the present study was to identify low molecular weight peptides with radical scavenging activity from cheese made using different types of rennet: batch 1, animal rennet (95% chymosin and 5% bovine pepsin), batch 2, rennet of plant origin (Cynara cardunculus) and batch 3, microbial rennet (Mucor miehei). After preparation of the peptide extracts (<3 kDa), antioxidant activity was assayed by their DPPH radical scavenging and metal chelating a6ctivity. All of the batches showed antioxidant activity, which could be dependent on the peptides which are present in extracts: Batch 2 and 3 showed the highest values for DPPH inhibition and chelating effect. Fourteen fractions out of the total peptide fractions collected after RP-HPLC analysis showed radical scavenging activity using the DPPH inhibition method. Free amino acids and peptides were identified from these fractions. One of the peptides, derived from α_s1-casein, was a potential new antioxidant peptide. These antioxidant peptides were present in a lower content in extracts obtained from animal rennet cheese in comparison with the other extracts.     

The effect of varying casein/fat ratio on physicochemical and sensory qualities of Feta‐type cheese made using buffalo milk

The Feta‐type cheese was prepared with different casein/fat (C/F) ratios of buffalo milk using microbial rennet. The manufactured Feta cheeses were subjected to physicochemical and sensory quality at 15‐day interval up to 60 days of ripening. Sensory analysis discriminated the different level of C/F ratio of buffalo milk cheeses predominantly by age. There was no significant difference (P < 0.01) observed in cheese made from C/F ratio of 0.6–0.7 in terms of flavour. The titratable acidity (TA), soluble protein and free fatty acid appear to be age‐dependent and increased throughout the ripening in all experimental cheeses.     

Influence of lamb rennet paste on the lipolytic and sensory profile of Murcia al Vino cheese

The influence of lamb rennet paste (71.1% chymosin, 177 international milk-clotting units/mL, 4.57U/g of lipase activity) during the ripening of Murcia al Vino goat cheese was studied. The aim of this study was to improve the knowledge of the effect of lamb rennet paste on the lipolytic patterns in this type of cheese by reference to the evolution of total and free fatty acids. A sensory analysis was carried out to compare cheeses made with commercial and paste rennet. The rennet paste showed higher lipolytic activity, enhancing the production of short-chain free fatty acids. In addition, the cheese produced with lamb rennet paste had a slightly more bitter and piquant taste, making it an attractive commercial alternative that can be used to develop new varieties of goat cheese.     

酪蛋白降解对牦牛乳硬质干酪苦味的影响

针对牦牛乳硬质干酪的苦味缺陷,分别以小牛皱胃酶、微生物凝乳酶和木瓜蛋白酶制作的牦牛乳硬质干酪为研究对象,利用尿素聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳,研究牦牛乳硬质干酪pH 4.6水不溶性酪蛋白的降解程度,且对成熟过程中的牦牛乳硬质干酪苦味进行感官评价,探究牦牛乳硬质干酪pH 4.6水不溶性酪蛋白降解对其苦味的影响。结果表明：牦牛乳硬质干酪在成熟期间酪蛋白发生了明显的降解,且αs-酪蛋白均比β-酪蛋白降解速率快。经尿素聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳分离后,发现木瓜蛋白酶制作的牦牛乳硬质干酪pH 4.6水不溶性酪蛋白在Pre-αs-酪蛋白区域有较强的蛋白带。木瓜蛋白酶制作的牦牛乳硬质干酪pH 4.6水不溶性酪蛋白中αs-酪蛋白和β-酪蛋白降解程度均显著或极显著高于微生物凝乳酶和小牛皱胃酶制作的牦牛乳硬质干酪（P＜0.05或P＜0.01）,木瓜蛋白酶制作的牦牛乳硬质干酪的苦味值极显著高于微生物凝乳酶和小牛皱胃酶制作的牦牛乳硬质干酪的苦味值（P＜0.01）,通过主成分分析得出3 种凝乳酶制作牦牛乳硬质干酪的苦味值和未降解β-酪蛋白和αs-酪蛋白含量成极显著负相关。这为控制牦牛乳硬质干酪品质提供了理论参考。     

Effect of hot water treatment of in-shell pecans on physicochemical properties and consumer acceptability of roasted pecan kernels

The effect of hot water pre-treatment of in-shell pecans on physicochemical properties, consumer acceptance and purchase intent of dehulled and roasted kernels was evaluated. In-shell pecans were first subjected to hot water at 70, 80 and 90 °C for 8.6, 6.6 and 4.6 min respectively and kernels were later dry roasted at 160 °C for 10 min. The physicochemical properties of hot water treated and untreated nuts, before and after roasting were determined. Furthermore, consumer acceptance and purchase intent of the roasted kernels were determined. Hot water treatment, alone and subsequent roasting had minimal effect on pecans’ physicochemical properties. Consumers liked (P < 0.05) the colour and aroma of treated pecans. No effect (P > 0.05) of pre-treatment was observed on the acceptability of other sensory attributes. Safety claim increased treated pecans’ overall liking; however, it decreased purchase intent. Hot water treatment showed promise as a post-harvest microbial intervention strategy without affecting the physicochemical properties and consumer acceptability.     

The effect of lowering salt on the physicochemical,microbiological and sensory properties of São João cheese of Pico Island

São João cheeses with varying curd dry salting treatments were made with decreasing levels of salt (sodium chloride): 4 (control), 3, 2 and 1% (w/w), along with the salt‐free version. The cheeses were ripened at 11 °C over a 40‐day period, and the effect of lowering salt on the physicochemical, microbiological and sensory properties of the cheese was studied. Reduced salt resulted in a concomitant moisture decrease with protein increase, ash and sodium reduction among experimental cheeses at the same ripening day, but there were no significant differences in pH, acidity and fat, or in the microbiological quality. Triangle tests indicated perceptible differences between test and control cheeses at the level of 2% NaCl (w/w) or less, but not with the cheese salted with 3 g NaCl/100 g. Considering the sensory, the physicochemical and the microbiological results, the cheese formulated at 3% NaCl (w/w) (presenting a reduction of 25% in salt) is feasible on an industrial scale, being indistinguishable by the regular consumer.     

Recent advances in milk clotting enzymes

Coagulating enzymes are an absolute necessity for the production of ripened cheese varieties. The objective of this review is to summarise and interpret the latest findings for the most important types of enzymes, which are animal rennet, genetically engineered chymosin, coagulants of microbial origin, and plant‐derived clotting enzymes. Special emphasis has been placed on aspects of enzyme chemistry and technology, selected methods for the analysis of coagulants, and the impact of the enzymes on proteolysis, cheese yield and cheese quality.     

Effect of microbial lipase and transglutaminase on the textural,physicochemical, and microbial parameters of fresh quark cheese

In this study, the addition of microbial transglutaminase (MTG) and lipase in quark cheese samples was studied during storage (21 d). Four types of cheese were made using 3 different levels of MTG (T1, 0.1 g/L; T2, 0.2 g/L; T3, 0.3 g/L) and lipase (T1, 0.02 g/L; T2, 0.04 g/L; T3, 0.06 g/L), and one cheese was made without any treatment as a control sample. The physicochemical, textural, microbial, and sensory properties of cheese samples were monitored at 1, 7, 14, and 21 d of storage period. The results showed that the treated samples had higher proteolysis and lipolysis activities during storage than the control sample. The textural analysis indicated an insignificant increase in the hardness value of the enzyme-treated sample. Also, the sensory analysis exhibited that the treated samples had higher texture acceptability. The higher concentration of enzymes resulted in lower color, odor, taste, and overall acceptability, and higher microbial population. Finally, the addition of microbial MTG and lipase in preparation of quark cheese samples could be recommended for a short storage time.     

Effect of production factors and ripening conditions on the characteristics of Serra cheese

Summary  The individual and interactive effects of four production factors (amount of vegetable rennet, temperature of coagulation, pressing and salting of the fresh cheese) and two ripening factors (temperature and relative humidity) on microbiological, physico-chemical, biochemical, textural and sensory characteristics of Serra cheese were simultaneously studied using a 2vi^6-1 factorial design. Highly significant effects of salting and ripening relative humidity upon the characteristics of the cheese were detected. Addition of salt to the surface of the fresh cheese reduced microbial growth, water activity, moisture and lactic acid contents, proteolysis, lipolysis, aroma and softness of the cheese. Conversely, increase of the relative humidity during ripening increased these charactereristics. Pressing had no statistically significant effect on cheese characteristics.