Microbiological,physicochemical and sensory characteristics of Cameros cheese packaged under modified atmospheres

This study evaluated the shelf-life quality of Cameros cheeses packaged under modified atmospheres. Five different modified atmosphere conditions were studied (carbon dioxide/nitrogen mixtures and vacuum). Control cheeses were packaged in air. The product stored at 3–4°C was evaluated periodically to investigate its sensory quality, microbiological condition and physicochemical characteristics. Weight loss and pH evolution were similar in vacuum and air packaging. Cheeses packaged in 100% CO₂showed the greatest weight losses and lower pH values. CO₂reduced proteolysis and lipolysis during storage in all conditions studied. Fat acidity and NPN/TN values were slightly higher in vacuum than in CO₂, but lower than in air. Modified atmosphere packaging presented an extended shelf life. Those containing CO₂reduced the growth rate of mesophiles, psychrotrophs, Enterobacteriaceae and coliforms, which was lower when the CO₂concentration increased. The lowest microbial counts were at 100% CO₂while vacuum conditions presented microbial counts only slightly lower than the controls. Salmonella spp.,Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria spp. were not found in any of the samples. Faecal coliforms, moulds and yeasts were not detected under CO₂atmospheres or in vacuum. After 7 days of storage, the sensory characteristics of the control cheeses were unacceptable in all the parameters studied. However, the overall score for cheeses stored in 40% and 50% CO₂did not change substantially, retaining a reasonable acceptability until the end of the storage period. The 100% CO₂atmosphere had a very negative effect on sensory quality. With regard to Cameros cheese, packaging in 50%CO₂/50%N₂and 40%CO₂/60%N₂are the most effective for extending shelf life and retaining good sensory characteristics.     

Microbiological and physicochemical characteristics and aminopeptidase activities during ripening of Serrano cheese

The physicochemical and microbiological characteristics and the aminopeptidase activity variation of Serrano cheese during winter and summer were investigated. Samples from different producers varied significantly, showing nonstandardized procedures for the manufacturing and ripening of this product. There were no significant changes in aminopeptidase activity during maturation and most of the enzyme activity found in the water extracts of cheese would have their origin in lactobacillus and enterococci, suggesting autolysis of these micro-organisms. Results show an increase in free amino acids during maturation, with higher amounts in the summer product.     

Oaxaca cheese: Manufacture process and physicochemical characteristics

Oaxaca cheese is a typical Mexican product of the pasta filata group. In spite of the importance of this cheese, it has been scarcely studied. The objective of this study was to document the method of manufacture and its physicochemical characteristics. There are variations in the process of manufacturing and has been affected by external influences such as time and temperature. There were variations in the physicochemical characteristics as the processes were not standardised, the variations being in protein from 150.3 to 241.5 g/kg; in fat from 170 to 253.3 g/kg; in pH from 4.9 to 5.8; in salt from 8.4 to 36.2 g/kg; in moisture from 124.1 to 610.3 g/kg and in ashes from 18 to 41.8 g/kg.     

快速成熟契达干酪成熟期间的理化特性变化

对天然契达(Cheddar)干酪快速成熟期间理化特性进行了研究,结果表明,在21 d内,pH值呈下降趋势(P<0.05),在21 d到35 d的成熟中,pH值缓慢增加(P>0.05);Cheddar干酪快速成熟过程中由于蛋白酶和脂肪酶的作用使蛋白发生水解,pH值为4.6醋酸溶液—水溶性氮质量分数、质量分数为12%的三氯乙酸—可溶性氮和游离氨基酸(FAA)的质量分数都呈明显增加趋势(P<0.05);成熟过程中TPA各项指标均有不同程度的变化,硬度和凝聚性呈先下降后增加的趋势,弹性和咀嚼性呈先上升后下降的趋势。     

Microbiological, physicochemical, and sensory characteristics of kefir during storage

Changes in certain microbiological, physicochemical, and sensory parameters of kefir were studied during refrigerated storage. Kefir batches were prepared using 1% and 5% added kefir grains, and samples for analysis were taken 24 h after inoculation and then after 2, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of storage at 5 ± 1 °C. After fermentation for 24 h after inoculation, lactobacilli and lactococci were present at levels of 10⁸ cfu/ml, and yeasts and acetic acid bacteria were present at levels of 10⁵ and 10⁶ cfu/ml, respectively. The lactic acid flora decreased by about 1.5 log units between days 7 and 14 and then stabilized at that level. Yeast and acetic acid bacterial counts, lactose, and pH all remained constant over the storage period, while the total fat content and dry matter decreased. The percentage inoculate did exert an influence, and the sample batches made using 1% added kefir grains had higher lactic acid bacterial counts, lactose, and pH, while the sample batches made using 5% added kefir grains had higher yeast and acetic acid bacterial counts and viscosity. The total fat and dry matter contents were similar in both sample batches. Sensory analysis of the kefir samples revealed maximum acceptability levels in the first 2 days of storage.     

干酪的微生物安全风险及控制

乳制品安全问题一直都是政府部门和消费者关注的焦点。干酪在国内食用历史不长,但近年来消费量和进口量增长迅猛。由于没有消费传统和生产经验,加上干酪体系非常复杂,因此国内对干酪的安全性研究、风险控制和危机处理极度缺乏相关经验。该文对国外干酪安全记录、干酪微生物风险评估、干酪安全法规控制以及国际上改进干酪安全性方法的研究进展进行了综述,以期对国内干酪微生物安全风险及控制提供借鉴。     

Effect of ripening time on bacteriological and physicochemical goat milk cheese characteristics

Food Science and Biotechnology - Cheese ripening involves lactose metabolism, lipolysis and proteolysis, which are affected by many factors. The aim of this study was to assess changes due to...     

Microbiological and biochemical characteristics of Kashkaval cheese produced using pasteurised or raw milk

Microbiological quality and biochemical changes of Kashkaval cheese manufactured using sheep's raw milk without starter addition or pasteurised milk with an added commercial starter were studied. Mature cheeses had pH values 5.0–5.3, salt content 2.1–2.7%, protein content 23.3–25.1%, moisture content 36.8–39.5%, fat content 28.0–32.2%, and ash content around 5.0%. In raw milk cheeses, mesophilic non-starter lactobacilli prevailed followed by enterococci. In pasteurised milk cheeses Lactococcus lactis starter prevailed. All cheeses were safe according to the criteria in Regulation (EC) 1441/2007. The proteolysis index was around 20%. Butyric, myristic, palmitic, stearic and oleic were the principal free fatty acids in both cheeses. Ketones were abundant in pasteurised milk cheeses and esters in mature raw milk cheeses. Pasteurisation did not affect (P > 0.05) the physicochemical composition and the proteolysis of cheeses. Raw milk cheeses showed higher levels (P < 0.05) of lipolysis than pasteurised milk cheeses.     

The growth of Listeria monocytogenes in fresh goat cheese (Cameros cheese) packaged under modified atmospheres

The effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in inoculated and non-inoculated Cameros cheese was evaluated. Three different modified atmosphere conditions were studied (20%CO₂/80%N₂, 40%CO₂/60%N₂ and 100%CO₂). Control cheeses were packaged in air. The product was stored at 4°C and evaluated periodically to investigate its microbiological quality.MAP presented an extended shelf-life. Those containing CO₂ reduced the growth rate of mesophiles, psychrotrophs and anaerobes, which was lower when the CO₂ concentration increased. A concentration of 100% CO₂ showed the lowest microbial counts. L. monocytogenes growth was lower when the CO₂ concentration increased. However, after 28 days the L. monocytogenes population was 1·3 log units lower in inoculated cheeses packaged at 100% CO₂ than in those packaged in air. Listeria monocytogenes can grow in atmospheres containing 20, 40 and 100% CO₂. L. monocytogenes were not found in any of the non-inoculated samples. It was concluded that MAP was not a suitable means to prevent the growth of L. monocytogenes in Cameros cheese.     

Microbiological quality of artisanal Sepet cheese

Microbial diversity in milk and in cheese itself affects the biochemical and sensory characteristics of artisanal cheeses. In this study, the microflora of Sepet cheese, which is a traditional artisanal cheese in Turkey, was investigated. Average lactococci, lactobacilli, enterococci, yeast, mould, coliform, psychrotrophic and total aerobic bacteria, presumptive Staphylococcus aureus counts were; 7.31 ± 1.08, 7.19 ± 1.02, 6.84 ± 0.92, 3.19 ± 1.40, 0.84 ± 0.89, 2.18 ± 1.81, 4.92 ± 1.15, 7.53 ± 1.13 and 1.25 ± 1.70 log cfu/g, respectively. Staphylococci, coliform and mould counts were less than 1.00 log cfu/g at the end of ripening, which was at around 6–8 °C for 3 months. According to phenotypic and genotypic identifications, isolates were closely related to Lactobacillus plantarum, Weisella confusa, Weisella paramesenteroides, Pediococcus pentasaceous, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Enterococcus durans and Enterococcus faceium. This study provides baseline data on the microflora of traditional artisanal Sepet cheese, which is a prerequisite for a successful scale up to industrial production.     

天然奶酪对再制奶酪理化性质的影响

研究了天然干酪的添加量及其成熟度对再制奶酪理化性质及功能特性的影响。结果表明:再制奶酪的完整酪蛋白质量分数、储能模量、损耗模量和硬度均随着天然奶酪的添加量及其成熟度的增加而呈现下降趋势,而再制干酪的风味及组织状态则不然;成熟度为1月和4月的天然Mozzarella干酪配比为2︰1时,产品的功能特性及口感最佳。     

Ultra high pressure homogenization of soymilk: Microbiological,physicochemical and microstructural characteristics

The effect of ultra high pressure homogenization (UHPH) at 200 and 300 MPa on soymilk was studied. A soymilk base product (BP) and ultra high temperature (UHT) treated soymilk were compared with UHPH treated soymilk. UHPH at 200 and 300 MPa reduced initial counts, spores and enterobacteria counts. Particle size analysis evidenced the intense reduction of particle size caused by UHPH, although the formation of aggregates was detected at 300 MPa. Colour differences between UHPH and BP or UHT soymilks were found. Treated soymilk (300 MPa) showed the lowest values of L¹, a¹ and b¹ coordinates. UHPH processed samples were more stable (showed less particle settling) than BP and UHT soymilks and these differences were also observed at days 30 and 60 of storage at 4 °C. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis indicated that soymilk proteins were partially denatured by 200 MPa, whereas UHPH treatment at 300 MPa showed the same extent of denaturation as UHT soymilk. Images of transmission electron microscopy showed the distribution and general characteristics of the colloidal particles and structures of UHPH, BP and UHT which were generally in accordance with the physicochemical parameters studied.     

Microbiological and compositional status of Turkish white cheese

Results of the chemical and microbiological examination of 38 Turkish white cheese samples are presented. On average, the cheese was characterized by a high moisture and salt content, 58.18 and 3.56%, respectively, and a pH of 4.68. Significant variation was found in these compositional factors, indicating the extreme diversity of manufacturing practices. Microbiological analysis revealed the presence of high numbers of coliforms, faecal coliforms and Escherichia coli, extremely high numbers of faecal streptococci, and a low level and incidence of Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and Clostridium perfringens were not isolated from the samples. There was no correlation between the levels of coliforms, faecal coliforms, E. coli and enterococci, suggesting that the enterococci count in Turkish white cheese may not be a good indicator of sanitary practices.     

Microbiological,physicochemical and structural characteristics of natural salted casings treated with antibacterial agents

This study aimed to investigate the effects of antibacterial agent ultrasonic immersion on the quality of salted casings in terms of microorganism, physicochemical characters and structure characteristics. The results showed that citric acid immersion had the most significant effect as compared to that of control samples, with a reduction of 1.00, 1.65 and 1.66 log CFU g⁻¹ in Staphylococcus, Halophile and Psychrophiles compared to control samples respectively. Citric acid and tea polyphenol treatment increased the elongation at break of casings by 11.3% and 10.4%, and the most significant increase in the tensile strength of samples with chitosan oligosaccharide was 13.7%. Meanwhile, all samples were not discriminative in colour, collagen solubility, water solubility, thermal swelling and thermal shrinking rate. Furthermore, a compact and dense casing surfaces found by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images after antibacterial agent treatment. Therefore, antibacterial agent immersion has the potential to control microorganisms’ growth, improve mechanical properties and extend the application field of salted casings.     

A comparison of the physicochemical characteristics of the regional cheese Oscypek and the traditional cheese Gazdowski from the Polish Podhale

The quality of two types of traditional cheese manufactured in Podhale (southernmost region of Poland), that is, Oscypek (regional PDO) and Gazdowski (native traditional product ‐ NTP), was compared. The appearance, sensory qualities, proximate composition and intrinsic traits were evaluated. Oscypek manufactured from mixed (sheep and cow) milk received higher sensory scores for texture, taste and aroma than the traditional Gazdowski cheese made from cow's milk. Furthermore, the Oscypek cheese contained significantly more total solids and protein, but less salt. Composition could be responsible for its more cohesive texture which was defined by significantly greater cohesiveness, greater hardness, springiness, shear force and shear energy.     

Effect of lactobacillus adjunct cultures on the microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of Roncal-type ewes'-milk cheese

The effect of two different experimental adjunct cultures composed of native facultatively heterofermentative lactobacilli (FHL) on the development of various groups of micro-organisms in Roncal-type ewes' milk cheese was studied. Four cheese batches were manufactured from raw milk (C), pasteurized milk (P), pasteurized milk and an adjunct culture of Lactobacillus paracasei (PP); and pasteurized milk and adjunct culture of Lactobacillus paracasei plus Lactobacillus plantarum (PPP). Retention of the two adjunct cultures in the cheeses was good, and population levels remained constant at around 10(7) cfu g(-1) of cheese throughout ripening. Levels of Enterobacteriaceae and enterococci fell off more abruptly in the batches made with the Lactobacillus adjunct cultures, suggesting competition between the added lactobacilli and those groups of micro-organisms. The inhibitory effect was greater for the adjunct culture composed of L. paracasei plus L. plantarum. Lactococcal levels were higher in the batches made with added FHL, which may be indicative of a synergistic effect between these two groups.     

Effect of Enterococcus faecium on microbiological,physicochemical and sensory characteristics of Greek Feta cheese

Greek Feta cheese was prepared using as adjunct starter cultures Enterococcus faecium FAIR-E 198, E. faecium FAIR-E 243, and their combination. Numbers of enterococci in the control and in the batches containing E. faecium strains as adjunct starters rapidly increased until day 15 of ripening, and then remained constant. Both E. faecium strains positively affected the counts of non-starter lactic acid bacteria (NSLAB), micrococci and coliforms, while thermophilic cocci were not influenced. Moreover. E. faecium FAIR-E 243 enhanced the growth of mesophilic cocci and thermophilic bacilli. Physicochemical characteristics, such as pH, moisture, ash, salt in moisture and fat in dry matter (FDM) were not influenced by the addition of the E. faecium strains. The most pronounced effect was observed in the case of proteolysis. Both E. faecium strains, either as sole adjunct starter or in combination, increased the proteolytic index and the free amino groups concentration, and enhanced degradation of alpha(s1)- and beta-caseins in comparison to the control. Furthermore, the reverse-phase (RP)-HPLC peptide profiles of the water-soluble nitrogen (WSN) fractions were significantly affected by the addition of enterococci. The main volatile compounds produced were ethanol, acetate, acetone, acetaldehyde, acetoin and diacetyl, with highest amounts determined for ethanol, followed by acetate. Both E. faecium strains positively affected taste, aroma, colour and structure of the full-ripened cheeses, as well as the overall sensory profile. The present work emphasizes the technological significance of E. faecium strains and supports their use as adjunct cultures in the manufacture of Feta cheese.