Microbial and sensory changes throughout the ripening of Prato cheese made from milk with different levels of somatic cells

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of 2 levels of raw milk somatic cell count (SCC) on the composition of Prato cheese and on the microbiological and sensory changes of Prato cheese throughout ripening. Two groups of dairy cows were selected to obtain low-SCC (<200,000 cells/mL) and high-SCC (>700,000 cells/mL) milks, which were used to manufacture 2 vats of cheese. The pasteurized milk was evaluated according to the pH, total solids, fat, total protein, lactose, standard plate count, coliforms at 45°C, and Salmonella spp. The cheese composition was evaluated 2 d after manufacture. Lactic acid bacteria, psychrotrophic bacteria, and yeast and mold counts were carried out after 3, 9, 16, 32, and 51 d of storage. Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and coagulase-positive Staphylococcus counts were carried out after 3, 32, and 51 d of storage. A 2 × 5 factorial design with 4 replications was performed. Sensory evaluation of the cheeses from low- and high-SCC milks was carried out for overall acceptance by using a 9-point hedonic scale after 8, 22, 35, 50, and 63 d of storage. The somatic cell levels used did not affect the total protein and salt:moisture contents of the cheeses. The pH and moisture content were higher and the clotting time was longer for cheeses from high-SCC milk. Both cheeses presented the absence of Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes, and the coagulase-positive Staphylococcus count was below 1 × 10² cfu/g throughout the storage time. The lactic acid bacteria count decreased significantly during the storage time for the cheeses from both low- and high-SCC milks, but at a faster rate for the cheese from high-SCC milk. Cheeses from high-SCC milk presented lower psychrotrophic bacteria counts and higher yeast and mold counts than cheeses from low-SCC milk. Cheeses from low-SCC milk showed better overall acceptance by the consumers. The lower overall acceptance of the cheeses from high-SCC milk may be associated with texture and flavor defects, probably caused by the higher proteolysis of these cheeses.     

Ultrafiltration of cheese milk: Effect on plasmin activity and proteolysis during cheese ripening

Havarti 45+ cheese was manufactured from milk concentrated 1.8–4.6-fold by ultrafiltration (UF) and from normal milk, and the effect of concentration factor on plasmin activity and subsequent proteolysis in cheese during ripening was examined. There was decreased plasmin activity and a reduced rate of proteolysis of α_S2-casein and β-casein in the UF-cheeses, compared with the corresponding controls, independent of concentration factor. The decreased plasmin activity and slower breakdown of α_S2-casein and β-casein in UF-cheeses compared with traditional cheeses can be partly explained by the inclusion of an increased amount of plasmin inhibitors into the UF-cheeses. However, it is suggested that the differences in plasmin activity and proteolysis arise mainly as a result of inactivation of the plasminogen activation system during UF-concentration, due to a combination of time, temperature and the presence of air in the UF-equipment. The effect of milk treatment on the plasminogen activation system should be further investigated.     

Chemometrical analysis of proteolytic profiles during cheese ripening

This research note gives a presentation of chemometrical analysis of proteolytic profiles obtained by electrophoresis and chromatography. An explanation of how the proteolytic profiles can be transformed to a multivariate data set and some basic information about multivariate statistical techniques as principal component analysis and discriminant analysis are provided. Some of the recent and most relevant research is presented to illustrate how this technique can be used in research on proteolysis during cheese ripening.     

混合型大豆干酪成熟特性的研究

对混合型大豆干酪的成熟特性进行了研究。检测了混合型大豆干酪成熟过程中游离脂肪酸和氨基酸含量的变化,在扫描电镜下观察了不同成熟条件下干酪的微观结构。结果表明,成熟温度对游离脂肪酸含量影响不显著,对游离氨基酸含量影响显著;随着成熟时间的延长,饱和脂肪酸与不饱和脂肪酸含量之比下降,游离氨基酸含量变化较为显著;成熟对混合型大豆干酪的微观结构影响很大,使得干酪质地越来越致密均匀。     

Proteolysis and texture of hard ewes' milk cheese during ripening as affected by somatic cell counts

Ewes' milk samples with low (<500,000 ml(-1)), medium (1,000,000-1,500,000 ml(-1)) and high (> 2,500,000 ml(-1)) somatic cell counts (SCC) were used to manufacture hard ewes' cheese using the Zamorano cheese manufacturing protocol. Cheeses that had been ripened for 1, 2 and 3 months were used to obtain isoelectric ovine casein that was analysed by capillary electrophoresis. The texture of the cheeses during ripening was determined instrumentally using the Warner-Bratzler maximum shear force and assessed for sensory qualities by consumers using hedonic tests. The study revealed that the pH value and the lactose content of the milk were affected by high SCC and that the coagulation properties were dependent on the somatic cell content. The protein and moisture contents of the cheeses were unaffected by SCC but a significant increase of pH with ripening time were observed in high-SCC cheeses. The results also pointed to a significant increase in proteolysis related to SCC levels, showing that intact casein, both alphas1 and beta-casein, decreased as the SCC of milk increased, and that the proteolytic fragments, mainly I-alphas1, increased with SCC levels. Significant differences in texture were found among the samples, the cheeses made with high levels of SCC being significantly less compact at each ripening time. The differences in texture were detected by the consumers, who reported defects in cheeses made with high levels of SCC. Indeed, high SCC cheeses were significantly less well accepted.     

Formation of biogenic amines by proteolytic enterococci during cheese ripening

Six strains of Enterococcus faecalis and three strains of E faecium were investigated for their proteolytic activity and ability to decarboxylate the amino acids lysine, histidine, tyrosine, ornithine and phenylalanine. All strains tested displayed cell wall‐associated proteolytic activities, and three E faecalis strains displayed additionally extracellular proteolysis. None of the strains tested was able to form putrescine, histamine or cadaverine. Eight strains decarboxylated tyrosine, and two strains of E faecalis and one strain of E faecium formed phenylethylamine. Gouda cheese was produced from milk supplemented with two strains of E faecalis (10⁷ cfu ml⁻¹). Both strains were proteolytic and potent tyramine formers. Final viable counts of 10⁹ cfu g⁻¹ and tyramine concentrations of 477 mg kg⁻¹ were detected after a 12 week ripening period. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

N-Acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase activity and somatic cells in goat milk

N-Acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase activity, somatic cell count, and udder infection status were determined in milk of nine Saanen goats. Plasma enzyme activity was also measured. Individual half udder milk samples were taken for 12 d over a 3-wk period and animals were bled weekly. Three of the 18 udder halves were infected with coagulase-negative staphylococci over all 12 sampling d. The N-acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase and somatic cells in milk were significantly elevated in samples where minor pathogens were isolated. Plasma enzyme was variable among goats but not within goats or across weeks. Greater daily variation was seen in somatic cell count as compared to milk enzyme activity. Correlation between milk N-acetyl-B-D-glucosaminidase and somatic cell count was .54.     

Use of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to evaluate the proteolytic activity of Yarrowia lipolytica and its contribution to cheese ripening

The interaction between tyrosine-decarboxylase and proteolytic activities of a Lactobacillus curvatus and Staphylococcus xylosus, respectively, on biogenic amine production during the ripening and the storage of dry fermented sausages was investigated. Water content, pH, proteolysis parameters, microbial counts, and biogenic amine contents were monitored in spontaneously and starter fermented sausages. The use of proteolytic staphylococci as starter resulted in a higher content of non-protein nitrogen and total free amino acids. Tyramine was the main amine produced in all batches. However, tyrosine-decarboxylase activity of the L. curvatus starter strain was weak and yielded lower amounts of tyramine than those produced by the wild mioroflora in the control batch. Association between tyramine production and proteolysis could only be established in a defectively dried batch. Putrescine and cadaverine accumulation was efficiently reduced in the starter-mediated fermentation, in agreement with the lower development of enterobacteria. Phenylethylamine and tryptamine were only detected in the spontaneously fermented sausages, while histamine, spermine and spermidine did not vary during the ripening. Biogenic amine levels and related parameters showed significant changes during the storage of dry sausages depending on the temperature and the batch. As a general rule, changes in the pH, proteolysis, microbial counts, and biogenic amine contents were stronger at 19 degrees C than at 4 degrees C. The results suggest that refrigeration would be advisable for preventing further accumulation of biogenic amines during the storage of dry fermented sausages.     

Effect of β-casein concentration in cheese milk on rennet coagulation properties,cheese composition and cheese ripening

Effects of the use of a β-casein powder to enrich cheese milk on rennet coagulation properties of milk, cheese composition and cheese ripening were investigated. Casein content of control milk was 2.5%, whereas that for the three enriched milks was adjusted with β-casein powder at 2.7%, 2.9% and 3.1%. The β-casein to α-casein ratio of these cheese milks was, respectively, 0.70, 0.79, 0.89 and 0.99. Rennet coagulation properties were related not only to casein concentration but also to the proportion of β-casein and α_s-casein presents in milks. Milk with higher concentration of β-casein had poorer coagulation properties. Cheeses could be produced by using a miniature cheese making process. Moisture, ash and calcium contents decreased, while protein content and β-casein increased in cheese as casein and β-casein concentration increased in milk. As a result, hardness was higher in enriched cheeses than in control cheese. During cheese ripening, α-casein was hydrolyzed, but the rate of degradation of α-casein decreased as protein and β-casein concentration increased in cheese. β-Casein seemed to be not hydrolyzed. The rate of decrease of hardness was also slower for enriched cheeses.     

Effects of high pressure on proteolytic enzymes in cheese: relationship with the proteolysis of ewe milk cheese

Ewe milk cheeses were submitted to 200, 300, 400, and 500 MPa (2P to 5P) at 2 stages of ripening (after 1 and 15 d of manufacturing; P1 and P15). The high-pressure-treated cheeses showed a more important hydrolysis of β-casein than control and 2P1 cheeses. Degradation of α_s1-casein was more important in 3P1, 4P1, and P15 cheeses than control and 2P1 cheeses. The 5P1 cheeses exhibited the lowest degradation of α_s-caseins, probably as a consequence of the inactivation of residual chymosin. Treatment at 300 MPa applied on the first day of ripening increased the peptidolytic activity, accelerating the secondary proteolysis of cheeses. The 3P1 cheeses had extensive peptide degradation and the highest content of free amino acids. Treatments at 500 MPa, however, decelerated the proteolysis of cheeses due to a reduction of microbial population and inactivation of enzymes.     

乳体细胞数对干酪生产的影响

论述了原料乳中体细胞数对干酪加工、成熟和产量的影响,以期为干酪生产提供理论参考.     

Amino acids evolution during ripening of goats' milk cheese manufactured with different coagulants

Powdered plant coagulant obtained from the cardoon flowers ( Cynara cardunculus ) was compared with calf rennet for the manufacture of traditional raw goats' milk cheese, by determining differences in the profiles of the amino acids throughout the ripening period. Derivatisation with o -phtaldialdehyde and a C₁₈ column were used for chromatographic separations. In order to establish the relationships between the different variables and to detect the most important causes of variability, principal component analysis was applied to the free amino acids data, which reduced to two dimensions where cheese samples from 2 to 60 days and cheeses from 90 to 120 days were distributed dependently of ripening time and coagulant used. Leu, Val, Lys, Gly, Tyr and Asp were correlated with PC1, which separated the samples according to their ripening time. Arg, His, Trp, Ser and Thr were correlated with PC2, which separated the samples according to the coagulant used.     

The effect of plasmin activity and cold storage of cheese milk on the composition, ripening and functionality of mozzarella-type cheese

The effects of casein hydrolysis by plasmin on composition, ripening and functionality in mozzarella-type cheese were studied. Milk was stored at 4°C for 0, 24 and 48 h, with and without added plasmin, before batch pasteurization and the manufacturing of mozzarella-type cheese. In parallel experiments, the effects of incubation of milk with added plasmin for 2 h at 37°C prior to cheese manufacture and of an increase in the level of rennet added during cheesemaking were studied. Plasmin addition adversely affected the rennet coagulation properties of the milk and led to increased (two- to three-fold) plasmin activity in cheese and greater plasmin-associated hydrolysis of β-casein to γ-caseins during ripening. Melted cheese flow rate and stretchability increased over ripening and melting time decreased, but functional properties were not affected by either plasmin activity or cold storage. Overall, neither plasmin activity (at the levels studied) nor cold storage greatly affected the composition or functionality of mozzarella-type cheese.     

Functional goat milk cheese with feruloyl esterase activity

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the effect of the intake of goat milk cheese manufactured with Lactobacillus fermentum CRL1446 on intestinal feruloyl esterase (FE) activity and oxidative status in Swiss albino mice. This strain was used as single-strain culture (CRL cheese) and in combination with starter culture (Mix cheese). In both cheeses, L. fermentum reached 8–9 log cfu/g and FE activity increased during ripening. Highest activity level was observed in Mix cheese. In vivo studies showed that total intestinal FE activity in mice fed with CRL and Mix cheeses increased 1.5 and 2-fold compared to non-treated mice, respectively. Administration of Mix cheese produced a 2-fold increase in FE activity in small and large intestine mucosa. Mice receiving this cheese also showed an approx. 2-fold decrease in plasmatic thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) levels and an approx. 3-fold increase in glutathione reductase (GR) activity.Goat milk cheese elaborated with FE-producing strain L. fermentum CRL1446 could represent a novel functional food with FE activity, responsible for increasing intestinal FE activity and consequently the bioavailability of antioxidant ferulic acid in the gut, thus enhancing the oxidative status and providing protection against oxidative stress-related disorders.     

Odour-active compound profiles in Cantal-type cheese: Effect of cow diet, milk pasteurization and cheese ripening

Cantal cheese was made with either raw or pasteurized milk from cows fed either pasture or a hay and concentrate diet, and was analyzed after 3- and 6-month aging. The cheese aroma was rather mild for pasteurized-milk cheese and rather strong for raw-milk cheese, and was little affected by the cows’ feeding patterns. Gas chromatography of the volatile compounds coupled with a new 8-way olfactometry device revealed 42 odorous peaks. The major odour-active compounds were butanoic acid, 2,3-butanedione, 3-methylthio-propanal, hexanal, acetic acid, isobutanoic acid, and 1-octen-3-ol. The intensity of butanoic acid was much stronger in raw-milk than pasteurized-milk cheese. The intensities of isobutanoic acid, pentanal, E-2-hexenal, cyclohexanone, tetramethylpyrazine and γ-heptalactone were lower in the 6-month-aged than the 3-month-aged cheeses, and only ethylbenzene intensity was higher. Isopentanoic acid odour was weaker when the milk had been obtained from cows fed a pasture diet.     

Chemical changes during the ripening of Domiati cheese made from dried milk

The ripening of Domiati cheese made from fresh and dried milk was investigated. Nitrogen fractions were determined, the proteinaceous fraction of cheese was analysed on Sephadex G-100 and the free fatty acids were determined by gas-liquid chromatography. The nitrogen fractions from fresh milk cheese had higher nitrogen concentrations than those from cheese made from dried milk. The elution pattern of the proteinaceous fractions and the pattern of free fatty acids of fresh and dried milk cheese were similar. However, the small molecular weight N fractions and the concentration of free fatty acids were higher in the former cheese than the latter.     

成熟温度对牦牛乳硬质干酪中乳酸菌自溶及氨肽酶活性的影响

通过动态监测5、10、15℃成熟牦牛乳硬质干酪在1~6个月成熟过程中乳酸菌总数、乳酸脱氢酶和氨肽酶活性等变化,探究提高成熟温度对其乳酸菌自溶和氨肽酶活性的影响。研究结果表明:成熟温度对p H值影响显著(P0.05)。干酪中乳酸菌在1~6个月成熟过程中其数量呈现降低趋势。p H值与乳酸菌总数之间存在负相关性。5、10、15℃成熟干酪中乳酸脱氢酶活力依次呈现增加趋势,15、10℃成熟干酪中氨肽酶活性高于5℃成熟干酪中氨肽酶活性。因此,15℃成熟干酪中乳酸菌自溶程度最强,其次为10℃成熟干酪,5℃成熟干酪中乳酸菌自溶程度最弱。15℃成熟干酪中广谱性氨肽酶(broad-specificity aminopeptidase,Pep N)和脯氨酸氨肽酶(X-prolyl-dipeptidlylaminopeptidase,Pep X)活性分别是10℃成熟干酪中Pep N和Pep X活性的2.19和2.64倍。5℃成熟干酪中Pep N、Pep X活性较低,分别没有超过0.29 U/g和0.4 U/g。     

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...