Application of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for monitoring short-chain free fatty acids in Swiss cheese

Short-chain free fatty acids (FFA) are important sources of cheese flavor and have been reported to be indicators for assessing quality. The objective of this research was to develop a simple and rapid screening tool for monitoring the short-chain FFA contents in Swiss cheese by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Forty-four Swiss cheese samples were evaluated by using a MIRacle three-reflection diamond attenuated total reflectance (ATR) accessory. Two different sampling techniques were used for FTIR/ATR measurement: direct measurement of Swiss cheese slices (∼0.5 g) and measurement of a water-soluble fraction of cheese. The amounts of FFA (propionic, acetic, and butyric acids) in the water-soluble fraction of samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ion-ization detection as a reference method. Calibration models for both direct measurement and the water-soluble fraction of cheese were developed based on a cross-validated (leave-one-out approach) partial least squares regression by using the regions of 3,000 to 2,800, 1,775 to 1,680, and 1,500 to 900 cm⁻¹ for short-chain FFA in cheese. Promising performance statistics were obtained for the calibration models of both direct measurement and the water-soluble fraction, with improved performance statistics obtained from the water-soluble extract, particularly for propionic acid. Partial least squares models generated from FTIR/ATR spectra by direct measurement of cheeses gave standard errors of cross-validation of 9.7 mg/100 g of cheese for propionic acid, 9.3 mg/100 g of cheese for acetic acid, and 5.5 mg/100 g of cheese for butyric acid, and correlation coefficients >0.9. Standard error of cross-validation values for the water-soluble fraction were 4.4 mg/100 g of cheese for propionic acid, 9.2 mg/100 g of cheese for acetic acid, and 5.2 mg/100 g of cheese for butyric acid with correlation coefficients of 0.98, 0.95, and 0.92, respectively. Infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics accurately and precisely predicted the short-chain FFA content in Swiss cheeses and in the water-soluble fraction of the cheese.     

Quantification of short-chain free fatty acids in "Terrincho" ewe cheese: intravarietal comparison

Headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was employed for the quantification of volatile free fatty acids (FFA) in "Terrincho" ewe cheese. Solid-phase microextraction quantitative analysis was feasible under equilibrium situations as long as the conditions of agitation and the adsorption time were held constant. An excellent linear relationship between the amount of the adsorbed analyte and its initial concentration in the sample matrix was obtained when an adequate amount of sample was chosen. Thus, quantification was possible if biases due to competition or linear range excesses were controlled. Solid-phase microextraction sampling was carried out at 65 degrees C, and a fiber coated with an 85-micro/m polyacrylate film was chosen. After equilibration at 65 degrees C for 40 min, the fiber was exposed to the headspace above the sample for 20 min and then inserted into the gas chromatograph. The evolution of the volatile FFA during Terrincho ewe cheese ripening was analyzed for a 60-d period. An overall increase in FFA contents was verified up to 30 d of ripening. Between 30 and 45 d most FFA did not suffer significant changes. All FFA increased significantly by the 60-d ripening period. The excessive lipolysis observed at 60 d of ripening may result in the presence of off-flavors. Principal component analysis performed for intravarietal comparison of volatile FFA composition of 19 Terrincho cheeses, analyzed at 30 ripening days, enabled discrimination between cheeses produced at five different dairy plants.     

蓝纹干酪成熟期间氨基酸的变化研究

采用HITACHIL—8800型氨基酸自动分析仪测定分析了自制蓝纹干酪成熟过程中的氨基酸组分与含量变化。成熟30～60d期间,所有氨基酸含量都呈现上升趋势,成熟90d时,门冬氨酸、谷氨酸、缬氨酸、蛋氨酸、亮氨酸、苯丙氨酸、精氨酸、脯氨酸几种氨基酸由于转化成其他物质含量有所降低。门冬氨酸降低0.07%,谷氨酸降低0.32%,缬氨酸降低0.09%,蛋氨酸降低0.14%,亮氨酸降低0.22%,苯丙氨酸降低0.02%,精氨酸降低0.07%,脯氨酸降低0.32%。成熟90d时,含量较高的是谷氨酸,亮氨酸,脯氨酸,赖氨酸、酪氨酸。     

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。     

常温与冷藏条件下不同阶段鸡肉呈味核苷酸及游离氨基酸含量的变化

研究鸡肉在常温与冷藏条件下呈味核苷酸及游离氨基酸含量的变化。结果表明:常温条件下,6 h时鸡胸肉和鸡腿肉肌苷酸(IMP)含量达到最高,分别为2.27、1.97 mg/g,然后开始显著下降(p<0.05);宰后随贮藏期延长,测定的17种游离氨基酸含量均有不同程度增加,鸡胸肉和鸡腿肉风味氨基酸占比分别在6 h和12 h时达到最大值,依次为59.3%、61.8%。冷藏条件下,IMP含量随时间延长呈先升后降的规律,鸡胸肉和鸡腿肉分别在48 h和36 h时IMP含量达到最大值,即3.14 mg/g和2.81 mg/g,而后缓慢降低;鸡胸肉和鸡腿肉风味氨基酸占比峰值均出现在宰后低温下48 h时,分别为67.1%、66.4%。因此,低温贮藏可以抑制鸡肉中IMP在贮藏过程中的降解,相对于常温贮藏,冷藏可以促进鸡肉中游离氨基酸的生成,有利于提高鸡肉的食用风味。      

Classification of Swiss cheese starter and adjunct cultures using Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy

The acceptability of Swiss cheese largely depends on the flavor profile, and strain variations of cheese cultures will affect the final quality. Conventional biochemical methods to identify the cultures at the strain level are time-consuming and expensive, and require skilled labor. Our objective was to develop rapid classification methods of starter cultures at the strain level by using a combination of hydrophobic grid membrane filters and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Forty-four pulsed-field gel electrophoresis-verified strains of starter and nonstarter cultures including Streptococcus thermophilus, Propionibacterium freudenreichii, and Lactobacillus spp. were analyzed. The strains were grown on their respective agar media, transferred to broth media, and incubated. Then, cultures were centrifuged and the pellets were resuspended in saline solution (10 μL). Aliquots (2 μL) of the suspended bacterial solution were placed onto a grid of the hydrophobic grid membrane filters, having 6 grids per each strain analyzed. The dried filters were read by FTIR microspectroscopy fitted with an attenuated total reflectance probe. Collected spectra were statistically analyzed by a soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) for pattern recognition. Classification models were developed for Streptococcus thermophilus, Propionibacterium freudenreichii, and Lactobacillus spp. strains. The models showed major discrimination in the spectral region from 1,200 to 900 cm⁻¹ associated with signals from phosphate-containing compounds and various polysaccharides in the cell wall. The developed method allowed for rapid classification of several Swiss cheese starter and nonstarter cultures at the strain level. This information provides a detailed overview of microbiological status, which would enable corrective measures to be taken early in the cheese making process, limiting production of inferior quality cheese and minimizing defects. This method could be an effective tool to identify and monitor activity of cheese and other dairy starter cultures.     

Influence of selected lab cultures on the evolution of free amino acids, free fatty acids and Fiore Sardo cheese microflora during the ripening

Fiore Sardo Protected Denomination of Origin is a traditional Sardinian (Italy) hard cheese produced exclusively from whole raw ovine milk and coagulated with lamb rennet paste. Currently, Fiore Sardo is still produced by shepherds at the farmhouse level without the addition of any starter culture and the cheese-making process is characterized by significant waste. The first objective of the present work was to investigate the autochthonous microflora present in milk and Fiore Sardo cheese in order to select lactic acid bacterial (LAB) cultures with suitable cheese-making attributes and, possibly reduce the production waste. Secondly, the ability of selected cultures to guarantee cheese healthiness and quality was tested in experimental cheese-making trials. In this study, we show that the typical lactic microflora of raw ewe's milk and Fiore Sardo cheese is mostly composed of mesophilic LAB such as Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei. Moreover, strains belonging to the species were selected for cheese-making attributes and used in experimental cheese-making trials carried out in different farms producing Fiore Sardo. The evolution of the cheese microflora, free amino acids and free fatty acids during the ripening showed that the experimental cheeses were characterized by a balanced ratio of the chemical constituents, by a reduced number of spoilage microorganisms and, remarkably, by the absence of production waste that were significant for the control cheeses.     

Ruminal fermentation and amino acid flow in Holstein steers fed whole cottonseed with elevated concentrations of free fatty acids in the oil

The influence of feeding whole cottonseed (WCS) containing elevated concentrations of free fatty acids (FFA) in the oil on ruminal fermentation and amino acid (AA) flow to the abomasum was evaluated in a 4 x 4 Latin square trial. Four ruminally and abomasally cannulated Holstein steers were fed diets containing 12.5% of dry matter as WCS with concentrations of 8.0, 11.3, 14.7, or 18.0% FFA in the oil. Intake, ruminal digestibility, and flow to the abomasum of dry matter, organic matter, and acid detergent fiber were not affected by FFA level of WCS. Intake of neutral detergent fiber and total kilograms of neutral detergent fiber digested in the rumen were similar for all treatments. Ruminal neutral detergent fiber digestibility was lower for 8 and 14.7% FFA, resulting in a cubic effect on flow to the abomasum. Ruminal pH, molar proportions of isobutyrate, and total branched-chain volatile fatty acids (VFA) decreased linearly, whereas molar proportions of acetate and acetate:propionate ratio increased linearly as FFA in WCS increased. Total VFA were lower, and molar proportions of propionate were higher, for 8 and 14.7% FFA, resulting in a cubic effect. Intake of N, total N flow, and nonmicrobial N flow to the abomasum were similar among treatments. Flow of microbial N was lower for the 11.3% FFA treatment, resulting in a quadratic response. Only nonsignificant differences were observed in AA flow to the abomasum. Results of this trial indicate that WCS with FFA up to 18% may result in small changes in rumen fermentation.     

Identification of free fatty acids and some other volatile flavour compounds from Swiss cheese using on-line supercritical fluid extraction-gas chromatography

On-line supercritical CO₂ extraction - gas chromatography was applied to the isolation and identification of free fatty acids and other volatile compounds of young and ripe Swiss cheese (Emmental) produced in Finland. Extractions were carried out using a micro-cartridge at 40 °C temperature and 10 MPa pressure and the volatile fractions were analysed by DB-WAX column (polyethylene glycol phase) with flame ionization detection and mass spectrometry. The total time of analysis was less than 2.5 h. Acetic acid and propionic acid predominated over the C12–C18 acids, the longer chain fatty acids increasing in concentration during the ripening of the cheese. Due to the high proportions of fatty acids, further fractionation is required for analysis of the less abundant aroma compounds such as alcohols, carbonyls and lactones.     

Effect of somatic cell count in goat milk on yield, sensory quality, and fatty acid profile of semisoft cheese

This study investigated the effect of somatic cell count (SCC) in goat milk on yield, free fatty acid (FFA) profile, and sensory quality of semisoft cheese. Sixty Alpine goats without evidence of clinical mastitis were assigned to 3 groups with milk SCC level of <500,000 (low), 500,000 to 1,000,000 (medium), and 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 (high) cells/mL. Thirty kilograms of goat milk with mean SCC levels of 410,000 (low), 770,000 (medium), and 1,250,000 (high) cells/mL was obtained for the manufacture of semisoft cheese for 2 consecutive weeks in 3 lactation stages. The composition of milk was analyzed and cheese yield was recorded on d 1. Cheese samples on d 1, 60, and 120 were analyzed for total sensory scores, flavor, and body and texture by a panel of 3 expert judges and were also analyzed for FFA. Results indicated that milk composition did not change when milk SCC varied from 214,000 to 1,450,000 cells/mL. Milk with higher SCC had a lower standard plate count, whereas coliform count and psychrotrophic bacteria count were not affected. However, milk components (fat, protein, lactose, casein, and total solids) among the 3 groups were similar. As a result, no significant differences in the yield of semisoft goat cheeses were detected. However, total sensory scores and body and texture scores for cheeses made from the high SCC milk were lower than those for cheeses made from the low and medium SCC milks. The difference in milk SCC levels also resulted in diverse changes in cheese texture (hardness, springiness, and so on) and FFA profiles. Individual and total FFA increased significantly during ripening, regardless the SCC levels. It is concluded that SCC in goat milk did not affect the yield of semisoft cheese but did result in inferior sensory quality of aged cheeses.     

不同菌种发酵对豆豉游离脂肪酸构成的影响

熟化黄豆分别接种毛霉（总状毛霉）、细菌（纳豆芽孢杆菌）和曲霉（米曲霉）,经不同发酵工艺形成三种不同类型的豆豉,研究三种不同菌种接种发酵处理对豆豉中游离脂肪酸构成的影响。结果表明熟化黄豆、毛霉型豆豉、细菌型豆豉、曲霉型豆豉分别鉴定出9种、11种、9种、8种游离脂肪酸;四种样品中游离脂肪酸含量从高到低依次是毛霉型豆豉（3 736.3 mg/100 g）＞熟化黄豆（1 911.16 mg/100 g）＞细菌型豆豉（1 421.02 mg/100 g）＞曲霉型豆豉（924.55 mg/100 g）,多不饱和脂肪酸含量分别为毛霉型豆豉（2 087.51 mg/100 g）＞熟化黄豆（1 065.53 mg/100 g）＞细菌型豆豉（731.17 mg/100 g）＞曲霉型豆豉（478.64 mg/100 g）。研究结果表明,经不同菌种发酵的豆豉游离脂肪酸组成和含量有差异。     

基于氨基酸和脂肪酸的藏羊肉质量评价

为探索藏羊肉的评价分级方法,采用氨基酸分析仪和气相脂肪酸甲酯法分析评价了羔羊肉和成年藏羊肉的氨基酸及脂肪酸比例构成。结果表明:成年藏羊肉氨基酸评分（AAS）与化学评分（CS）分值分别为7.65和5.54,风味及功能氨基酸含量较高,质量评价等级优于羔羊肉。n-3PUFAs与n-6PUFAs的比值成年藏羊肉为11.19%,羔羊肉为12.88%,符合FAO/WHO所推荐的日常膳食比值10%²0%。羔羊肉PUFA比例（5.32%）显著高于成年藏羊肉（3.68%）（p<0.05）,多不饱和脂肪酸（PUFA）的种类较成年藏羊肉丰富。氨基酸及脂肪酸含量及比例构成是实现藏羊肉营养质量评定及分级的重要指标。      

超高压处理对牛乳中游离氨基酸影响的研究

采用氨基酸自动分析仪,通过柱后衍生的方法,对超高压杀菌乳中的游离氨基酸进行测定,并且与原乳、巴氏杀菌乳、超高温瞬时杀菌乳进行比较。结果表明:虽然适当的加热处理可以增加游离氨基酸的含量,但是随着加热温度的不断升高,会破坏或损失部分游离氨基酸。但是牛乳经过超高压杀菌处理以后,除丙氨酸和胱氨酸未检出,且超高压杀菌处理以后的天门冬氨酸的含量略低以外,其余游离氨基酸均可检出,而超高压杀菌牛乳中游离氨基酸的含量最高,巴氏杀菌乳中的含量次之,超高温瞬时杀菌乳中的含量最低。     

Standardization of milk using cold ultrafiltration retentates for the manufacture of Swiss cheese: effect of altering coagulation conditions on yield and cheese quality

Fortification of cheesemilk with membrane retentates is often practiced by cheesemakers to increase yield. However, the higher casein (CN) content can alter coagulation characteristics, which may affect cheese yield and quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of using ultrafiltration (UF) retentates that were processed at low temperatures on the properties of Swiss cheese. Because of the faster clotting observed with fortified milks, we also investigated the effects of altering the coagulation conditions by reducing the renneting temperature (from 32.2 to 28.3°C) and allowing a longer renneting time before cutting (i.e., giving an extra 5 min). Milks with elevated total solids (TS; ∼13.4%) were made by blending whole milk retentates (26.5% TS, 7.7% CN, 11.5% fat) obtained by cold (<7°C) UF with part skim milk (11.4% TS, 2.5% CN, 2.6% fat) to obtain milk with CN:fat ratio of approximately 0.87. Control cheeses were made from part-skim milk (11.5% TS, 2.5% CN, 2.8% fat). Three types of UF fortified cheeses were manufactured by altering the renneting temperature and renneting time: high renneting temperature = 32.2°C (UFHT), low renneting temperature = 28.3°C (UFLT), and a low renneting temperature (28.3°C) plus longer cutting time (+5 min compared to UFLT; UFLTL). Cutting times, as selected by a Wisconsin licensed cheesemaker, were approximately 21, 31, 35, and 32 min for UFHT, UFLT, UFLTL, and control milks, respectively. Storage moduli of gels at cutting were lower for the UFHT and UFLT samples compared with UFLTL or control. Yield stress values of gels from the UF-fortified milks were higher than those of control milks, and decreasing the renneting temperature reduced the yield stress values. Increasing the cutting time for the gels made from the UF-fortified milks resulted in an increase in yield stress values. Yield strain values were significantly lower in gels made from control or UFLTL milks compared with gels made from UFHT or UFLT milks. Cheese composition did not differ except for fat content, which was lower in the control compared with the UF-fortified cheeses. No residual lactose or galactose remained in the cheeses after 2 mo of ripening. Fat recoveries were similar in control, UFHT, and UFLTL but lower in UFLT cheeses. Significantly higher N recoveries were obtained in the UF-fortified cheeses compared with control cheese. Because of higher fat and CN contents, cheese yield was significantly higher in UF-fortified cheeses (∼11.0 to 11.2%) compared with control cheese (∼8.5%). A significant reduction was observed in volume of whey produced from cheese made from UF-fortified milk and in these wheys, the protein was a higher proportion of the solids. During ripening, the pH values and 12% trichloroacetic acid-soluble N levels were similar for all cheeses. No differences were observed in the sensory properties of the cheeses. The use of UF retentates improved cheese yield with no significant effect on ripening or sensory quality. The faster coagulation and gel firming can be decreased by altering the renneting conditions.     

The effect of heat treatment and starter culture on colour intensity and sensory properties of Kulek cheese

The effect of the heat treatment on colour intensity and sensory properties of Kulek cheese made from raw milk with (RS) or without starter culture (R) and heated milk with starter culture (HS) was investigated during ripening. Colour L, a and b values of Kulek cheeses were determined for both interior and surface. The values for cheese R were 82.4 and 74.5 for L, ?5.2 and ?5.5 for a, 31.0 and 34.7 for b interior and surface respectively. The equivalents for RS cheese were 82.8 and 75.7 for L, ?4.8 and ?5.0 for a, 31.0 and 34.0 for b. The values for HS cheese were 88.9 and 88.4 for L and ?3.3 and ?3.3 for a, 22.8 and 24.2 for b. L values (lightness) were the highest in cheeses made from heated milk while b and negative a values were the highest in cheeses made from raw milk. Aroma scores of raw and heat‐treated milk cheeses made with starter were not significantly different. The panelists scored cheeses made from raw milk without starter as the best in body and texture.     

Influence of rate of inclusion of microalgae on the sensory characteristics and fatty acid composition of cheese and performance of dairy cows

Modification of milk and cheese fat to contain long-chain n-3 fatty acids (FA) by feeding microalgae (ALG) to dairy cows has the potential to improve human health, but the subsequent effect on the sensory attributes of dairy products is unclear. The objective was to determine the effect of feeding dairy cows different amounts of ALG that was rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on milk and cheese FA profile, cheese sensory attributes, and cow performance. Twenty Holstein dairy cows were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 dietary treatments in a 4 × 4 row and column design, with 4 periods of 28 d, with cheddar cheese production and animal performance measurements undertaken during the final 7 d of each period. Cows were fed a basal diet that was supplemented with ALG (Schizochytrium limancinum) at 4 rates: 0 (control, C), 50 (LA), 100 (MA), or 150 g (HA) of ALG per cow per day. We found that both milk and cheese fat content of DHA increased linearly with ALG feed rate and was 0.29 g/100 g FA higher in milk and cheese from cows fed HA compared with C. Supplementation with ALG linearly reduced the content of saturated FA and the ratio of n-6:n-3 FA in milk and cheese. Supplementation with ALG altered 20 out of the 32 sensory attributes, with a linear increase in cheese air holes, nutty flavor, and dry mouth aftertaste with ALG inclusion. Creaminess of cheese decreased with ALG inclusion rate and was positively correlated with saturated FA content. We also observed a quadratic effect on fruity odor, which was highest in cheese from cows fed HA and lowest in LA, and firmness and crumbliness texture, being highest in MA and lowest in HA. Supplementation with ALG had no effect on the dry matter intake, milk yield, or live weight change of the cows, with mean values of 23.1, 38.5, and 0.34 kg/d respectively, but milk fat content decreased linearly, and energy-corrected milk yield tended to decrease linearly with rate of ALG inclusion (mean values of 39.6, 38.4, 37.1, and 35.9 g/kg, and 41.3, 41.3, 40.5, and 39.4 kg/d for C, LA, MA, and HA, respectively). We conclude that feeding ALG to high-yielding dairy cows improved milk and cheese content of DHA and altered cheese taste but not cow performance, although milk fat content reduced as inclusion rate increased.     

Influence of an autochthonous starter culture and a commercial starter on the characteristics of Tenerife pasteurised goats’ milk cheese

Two batches of Tenerife cheese were produced from pasteurised goats’ milk, one with a commercial starter and another with an autochthonous starter consisting of three selected strains of lactic acid bacteria isolated from artisanal Tenerife cheese. Influence of starter on the characteristics of the cheeses was evaluated. Owing to the composition of the starters, lactobacilli and leuconostocs varied significantly between both cheeses. However, the type of starter did not significantly affect the physicochemical and proteolytic properties of the cheeses. In general, cheeses made with autochthonous starter received higher scores for sensory attributes, especially for aroma, than those made with commercial starter.     

Free amino acid profile during ripening of ewe's milk cheese from the Croatian island Krk

The aim of this study was to determine the content of free amino acids (FAA) and their ratio in ewe's milk cheese from the island Krk during its ripening. FAA content was determined by reversed phase HPLC (RP‐HPLC) of cheese aqueous/ethanol extracts after FAA were transformed into their 6‐aminoquinolyl‐N‐hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate derivatives. Their concentration increased during ripening, reaching the value of 5% in cheese dry matter. The dominant FAA were glutamic acid>leucine>valine>aspartic acid>phenylalanine>serine>proline, and higher content of nonessential vs essential FAA was revealed. Krk cheese has, in relation to other cheeses, higher values for glutamic acid/leucine, glutamic acid/phenylalanine, glutamic acid/proline and smaller values for leucine/aspartic acid, valine/aspartic acid, phenylalanine/aspartic acid ratios, while other ratios are comparable to those of other hard ovine cheeses.     

Milk fatty acid composition and cheese texture and appearance from cows fed hay or different grazing systems on upland pastures

The objective of this work was to compare milk fatty acid (FA) profile and texture and appearance of Cantal cheeses obtained from cows grazing 2 different upland grasslands: a highly diversified pasture (74 species) of area 12.5 ha managed under continuous mode (C), and a weakly diversified pasture (31 species) of area 7.7 ha (an old temporary grassland) managed under rotational mode (R). A control group of cows fed a hay-based diet (indoors, I) was used. Three equivalent groups of 12 Montbéliarde cows underwent the 3 treatments from May to September 2008. The cheeses were manufactured during 3 consecutive days in early June, early July, and late August (27 cheeses in all). The texture, appearance, and chemical composition of the cheeses were determined after 12 wk of ripening. Concentrations of total saturated FA and monounsaturated FA were higher and lower, respectively, in I milks compared with pasture milks. The concentrations of trans-11-C18:1 and cis-9-C18:1, and polyunsaturated FA as well as yellowness decreased during the season in C-derived milk but remained constant in R-derived milk, through a combined effect of grass development stage and the cows’ grazing selection. The I cheeses were, on average, firmer, less creamy, less elastic, and less yellow than the pasture cheeses. Decreasing and increasing trends in texture firmness during the season were observed for C and R cheeses, respectively. The rind of the pasture-fed cow cheese had fewer, less intensely colored, and less prominent spots than did that of I cheeses. This difference was probably due to greater migration of fat to the rind during pressing because of the lower fat melting point of the pasture-fed cow cheeses, which had higher unsaturated FA content. The greater amounts of fat deposited on the rind of the pasture-fed cow cheeses may have partially inhibited the microbial activity responsible for rind appearance. Our trial underlines the importance of the effects of grazing management associated with vegetation type on milk and cheese characteristics.     

Seasonal variations in the free fatty acid composition of Manchego cheese and changes during ripening

 This paper examines the evolution of the free fatty acid concentration in Manchego cheese during ripening (up to 150 days) and in two different cheesemaking seasons (autumn and winter). Factorial analysis of the principal components showed that short-chain fatty acids were the variables that best correlated (81% of the total variance explained) with the samples when distributed according to ripening time. These fatty acids likewise differentiated autumn and winter samples. Received: 30 April 1999 / Revised version: 5 July 1999