Effect of supplementation of brine with calcium on the Feta cheese ripening

Feta blocks ripened in plain or calcium‐supplemented brine were analysed with respect to biochemical characteristics, proteolysis and inorganic fractions; moreover, the inorganic and N content of the respective brines was estimated. The acidification of Feta in supplemented brine was faster, the moisture content was lower, secondary proteolysis was more extended, and the organoleptic scores were higher compared to control Feta ripened in plain brine. The TCASN fraction of cheeses contributed more than that of WSN to the N enrichment of brine. It was concluded that calcium supplementation of the brine retarded the diffusion of cheese N and Ca into the brine.     

Effect of carbon dioxide under high pressure on the survival of cheese starter cultures

A new processing method that rapidly forms curds and whey from milk has the potential to improve cheesemaking procedures if cheese starter cultures can tolerate the processing conditions. The survival of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis, or Streptococcus thermophilus through this new process was evaluated. Inoculated milk containing 0, 1, or 3.25% fat or Lactobacillus MRS broth or tryptone yeast lactose broth (depending on microorganism used) was sparged with CO2 to a pressure of 5.52 MPa and held for 5 min at 38 degrees C. Broth contained 7.93 to 8.78 log CFU/ ml before processing and 7.84 to 8.66 log CFU/ml afterward. Before processing, milk inoculated with L bulgaricus, L. lactis, or S. thermophilus contained 6.81, 7.35, or 6.75 log CFU/ml, respectively. After processing, the curds contained 5.68, 7.32, or 6.50 log CFU/g, and the whey had 5.05, 6.43, or 6.14 log CFU/ml, respectively. After processing, the pHs of control samples were lower by 0.41 units in broth, 0.53 units in whey, and 0.89 units in curd. The pH of the processed inoculated samples decreased by 0.3 to 0.53 units in broth, 0.32 to 0.37 units in whey, and 0.93 to 0.98 units in the curd. Storing curds containing L. lactis at 30 degrees C or control curds and curds with L. bulgaricus or S. thermophilus at 37 degrees C for an additional 48 h resulted in pHs of 5.22, 5.41, 4.53, or 4.99, respectively. This study showed that milk inoculated with cheese starter cultures and treated with CO2 under high pressure to precipitate casein-produced curds that contained sufficient numbers of viable starter culture to produce lactic acid, thereby decreasing the pH.     

Effect of high pressure treatment on starter bacteria and spoilage yeasts in fresh lactic curd cheese of bovine milk

The effect of high pressure treatment on the inactivation of starter bacteria and spoilage yeasts in a commercially manufactured fresh lactic curd cheese was investigated. Fresh cheeses made from pasteurised bovine milk using a commercial Lactococcus starter preparation were vacuum-packaged and subjected to high pressure treatment within the range of 200 to 600 MPa for 5 min at ambient temperature (≤ 22 °C), and subsequently stored at 4 °C for up to 8 weeks. The number of viable starter bacteria and spoilage yeasts were enumerated immediately after treatment and at time intervals of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 weeks during refrigerated storage. The viable count of Lactococcus in the cheeses treated at 200, 300, 400, and 600 MPa, showed approximate reductions of 2, 5, 6, and 7 log units under aerobic incubation conditions; and 3, 5, 6, and 7 log units under anaerobic incubation conditions. Treatment at 200 MPa did not significantly prevent the growth of yeasts, but in samples subjected to pressures ≥ 300 MPa, the growth of yeasts was effectively controlled for 6 to 8 weeks.Industrial relevanceAustralian specialty cheese manufacturers are interested in extending the shelf-life of selected products to extend domestic distribution and to take advantage of export opportunities. The potential domestic and export market of fresh lactic curd cheese can be hampered by relatively short shelf-life. High pressure processing (HPP), under optimised conditions, can be utilised as an effective tool to extend shelf-life while maintaining the quality attributes of this product.     

热激处理菌种对奶酪品质的影响

为研究热激处理（63 ℃、20 min）发酵剂菌种（唾液链球菌嗜热亚种和保加利亚乳杆菌德氏亚种混合菌种）对奶酪成熟过程中品质特性的影响,对两种不同菌种所制作奶酪基本组成及成熟过程中的质构、感官、蛋白降解、风味物质等指标进行了测定。结果表明,热激处理菌种对奶酪基本组成影响不大,但热激处理菌种有利于奶酪成熟过程中蛋白质的降解,进而使奶酪的硬度和咀嚼性显著降低,也促使奶酪在成熟120 d时形成了更多的醛类、酮类、酯类等主要挥发性风味物质,同时奶酪的风味和组织状态的感官评价也较好。     

Effects of high pressure treatment on volatile profile during ripening of ewe milk cheese

The effect of high-pressure treatment on the volatile profile of ewe milk cheeses was investigated. Cheeses were submitted to 200, 300, 400 and 500 MPa at 2 stages of ripening (after 1 and 15 d of manufacturing) and volatile compounds were assayed at 15 and 60 d of ripening. High-pressure treatment altered the balance of volatile profile of cheeses, limiting the formation of acids, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, and sulfur compounds and enhancing the formation of 2,3-butanedione. In general, cheeses pressurized at 15 d of ripening were more similar to untreated cheeses than those treated at 1 d. Cheeses treated at 300 MPa after 1 d of manufacturing were characterized by higher levels of free amino acids, ethanol, ethyl esters, and branched-chain aldehydes, whereas cheeses treated at 500 MPa after 1 d of manufacturing had lower microbial populations, showed the highest abundance of 2,3-butanedione, pyruvaldehyde, and methyl ketones, and the lowest abundance of alcohols.     

Assessment of high hydrostatic pressure and starter culture on the quality properties of low-acid fermented sausages

The addition of starter culture and high pressure processing after ripening improved the microbial quality of low-acid fermented sausages (fuet and chorizo). The use of Lactobacillus sakei CTC6626 and Staphylococcus xylosus CTC6013 as starter culture significantly reduced Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcus levels in the finished sausages. Moreover, the addition of starter culture produced sausages of similar quality to traditional low-acid fermented sausages. Slightly lower pH values and higher cohesiveness were obtained for both fuet and chorizo with starter culture. Sensory analysis showed no differences between lots of chorizo whereas starter fuet was more acid and gummy. High pressure induced an additional reduction of Enterobacteriaceae in non-starter sausages. An increase of textural properties was observed after pressurization. No other differences were observed between non-treated and pressurized sausages.     

Effects of starter culture combinations using isolates from traditional cheese on the quality of Turkish white cheese

Four types of Turkish white cheese with good curd and acid formation properties were produced, one by using commercial starter culture and the other three by using different combinations of isolates from traditional cheese with no starters added. The effects of using these combinations on quality were determined. Starter culture combinations did not influence the chemical properties of cheese significantly. However, one cheese type produced from combinations of isolates of rural cheese was found to be comparable to the samples produced from commercial starter cultures in terms of sensory and microbial quality. This combination could have promise for white cheese production.     

High pressure treatment: applications in cheese manufacture and ripening

High pressure (HP) treatment has emerged as a food processing technology primarily due to increasing interest in novel methods for preservation of foods. Applying HP to food products modifies interactions between individual components, influences rates of enzymatic reactions and can inactivate microorganisms. This paper reviews studies of HP induced changes in milk relevant to cheesemaking, including the effects of HP on rennet coagulation time, rate of curd formation and cheese yield. Published studies on the effects of direct HP treatment of cheese and specifically the effects of HP on cheese ripening characteristics, functionality and microbiology, are also reviewed.     

Effect of high pressure homogenisation of milk on cheese yield and microbiology, lipolysis and proteolysis during ripening of Caciotta cheese

The principal aim of this work was to compare Caciotta cheeses obtained from cow milk previously subjected to high pressure homogenisation (HPH) at 100 MPa with those produced from raw (R) or heat-treated (P) cow milk. HPH had both direct and indirect effects on cheese characteristics and their evolution during ripening. In particular, HPH treatment of milk induced a significant increase of the cheese yield; moreover, it affected the microbial ecology of both curd and cheese. Compared with the thermal treatment, the HPH treatment resulted in a decrease of about one log cfu/g of yeast and lactobacilli cell loads of the curd. The initial milk treatment also affected the evolution over time and the levels attained at the end of ripening of all the microbial groups studied. In fact, lactobacilli, microstaphylococci and yeast cell loads remained at lower levels in the cheeses obtained from HPH milk with respect to the other cheese types over the whole ripening period. Moreover, HPH of milk induced marked and extensive lipolysis. Cheeses from HPH milk showed the presence of high amounts of free fatty acids immediately after brining. The electrophoretic patterns of the different cheese types showed that Caciotta made from HPH-treated milk was characterized by a more extensive and faster proteolysis as well as a significant modification of its volatile molecule profile. The results obtained and the sensory analysis indicated that HPH treatment of milk was able to differentiate Caciotta cheese or to modify its ripening patterns.     

The effects of using a starter culture,lipase, and protease enzymes on ripening of Mihalic cheese

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of fungal lipase from Mucor miehei and a bacterial neutral protease from Bacillus subtilis alone and combined with a starter culture on ripening properties of traditional Turkish Mihalic cheese. The use of protease with lipase (Cult + Prot + Lip) resulted in better flavour and texture with accelerated ripening. The obtained results pointed out that the gross compositions of the cheeses were changed by the type of enzymes and ripening time (P < 0.01). The acid degree value (ADV) of all cheeses showed a linear increase with ripening. The highest lipolysis rate was noted in lipase‐added cheese batch (as 5.56 ADV) with highest γ‐CN ratio and β‐CN degradation. At the end of ripening time, it was observed that αs‐CN ratios decreased in starter‐added (Cult), starter + protease–added (Cult + Prot), and protease‐added (Prot) cheese batches. The use of protease with lipase (Cult + Prot + Lip) resulted in better flavour and texture with accelerated ripening. Protease‐added cheeses, which were characterized by bitterness and crumbly textural properties owing to the intense breakdown of β‐casein, scored lower than lipase‐added cheeses. It was determined that the use of mesophilic aromatic starter culture with lipase and protease could be used to accelerate ripening of Mihalic cheese made from pasteurised milk.     

Effect of soy protein supplementation on the quality of ripening Cheddar-type cheese

The impact of soy protein isolate on the proteolysis and organoleptic properties of Cheddar-type cheese during ripening was studied. Cheese was prepared from cow's milk (control) and cow's milk plus soy protein isolate by using a starter culture of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp . bulgaricus, and then ripened at 12  ±  1°C for 3 and 5 months. The molecular weight range and peptide fraction in the cheeses were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Sensory evaluation was used to compare the flavour, body, texture and appearance of the cheeses. The results show that the molecular weight range (9924–9966  Da) in the control cheese was larger than that (6954–6957   Da) in the soy protein-treated cheese and the microstructure in the latter was less compact than in the control cheese. In the sensory evaluation, higher scores were given for some experimental cheese than the control cheese. After 5 months of ripening, the organoleptic properties of the cheese had markedly improved and no bitter off-flavour was detected in the treated cheeses. It was concluded that soy protein could be used to improve the quality of cheese and the addition of 5% soy protein isolate could be recommended for improving the flavour and texture of Cheddar-type soy supplemented cheese.     

发酵剂对熏马肠成熟过程中蛋白质降解的影响

对熏马肠发酵成熟过程中蛋白质的降解变化进行了研究。结果表明,非蛋白氮含量在加工过程中持续增加,并且发酵剂组的非蛋白氮值上升较快;通过SDS-PAGE图谱分析,肌浆蛋白和肌原纤维蛋白均发生了降解,发酵剂组的蛋白降解程度明显高于空白组,尤其是肌浆蛋白,分子质量在14.4 ku、27～35 ku、66～90 ku附近的蛋白条带均降解消失;通过对组织蛋白酶B和L活力测定,得出空白组的酶活力高于发酵剂组。     

发酵剂对牦牛乳硬质干酪成熟过程中生物胺的影响

乳酸菌产生物胺的能力具有菌株特异性,因此,为了探究不同种类发酵剂对牦牛乳硬质干酪中生物胺形成的影响,该试验利用高效液相色谱对3种不同发酵剂制作的硬质干酪成熟过程中生物胺进行了测定和分析。结果表明,嗜热和嗜温发酵剂牦牛乳硬质干酪中检测出2-苯乙胺、腐胺、尸胺、组胺和酪胺,混合发酵剂干酪中检测出腐胺、2-苯乙胺、尸胺和酪胺。各生物胺之间呈现正相关性。3种不同发酵剂干酪在1～6个月成熟过程中,其各生物胺整体呈现增加趋势,嗜热、嗜温和混合发酵剂干酪中总生物胺最高含量分别为(448.3±9.6)、(456.8±58.4)、(293±24.5)mg/kg。组胺和酪胺是2种毒性相对高的生物胺,嗜热发酵剂干酪中组胺和嗜温发酵剂干酪中酪胺最高,其最高含量分别为(20.8±7.9)、(92.9±6.7)mg/kg,混合发酵干酪中未检测出组胺,酪胺含量次之,3种不同发酵剂干酪中组胺、酪胺含量均低于推荐安全剂量50 mg/kg和100 mg/kg。这为合理选择发酵剂和控制干酪中生物胺形成提供了依据。     

Preliminary observations on proteolysis in Manchego cheese made with a defined-strain starter culture and adjunct starter (Lactobacillus plantarum) or a commercial starter

Different authors have demonstrated the potential of adding lactobacilli as adjunct cultures to pasteurized milk used in cheese manufacture. The aim of this work was to observe the effect of the use of a defined-strain starter culture and the addition of an adjunct culture (Lactobacillus plantarum) to cheesemilk in order to determine their effect on the ripening of Manchego cheese. Manchego cheeses were manufactured using one of the following starter culture systems: a defined starter consisting of Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis and Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. dextranicum; a defined starter, as described above, and Lb. plantarum, which were isolated from a good quality Manchego cheese made from raw milk, or a commercial starter comprised of two strains of Lc. lactis. The cheeses were sampled at 15, 45, 90 and 150 d of ripening. Principal component analysis of peak heights of reversed-phase HPLC chromatograms of 70% (v/v) ethanol-insoluble and -soluble fractions distributed the samples according to the starter used in their manufacture. Quantitative differences in several peptides were evident between the three cheeses. Cheeses made with the defined-strain starters received higher scores for the flavour quality and intensity and for overall impression than the cheeses made with the commercial starter.     

Influence of starter and nonstarter on the formation of biogenic amine in goat cheese during ripening

Two commercial starters were investigated for their potential ability to decarboxylate amino acids during goat cheese ripening. Two batches of goat cheese were produced with identical pasteurized milk but different starter cultures. One of them contained Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis and Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris and the other Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis. The amine contents, microbial counts, proteolysis-related parameters, pH, total solids and salt content were studied in raw materials and cheeses. In raw materials, polyamines were the prevailing amines, whereas the main amines in cheeses were putrescine, tryptamine and, in particular, tyramine (94.59 mg/kg). Aerobic mesophilic microorganisms and Lactococcus counts increased throughout ripening, while Enterobacteriaceae were no longer detectable in cheese after 30 days of ripening. Amine concentration rose during cheese ripening in both batches. Moreover, the decarboxylase activity of microorganisms isolated from samples during cheese ripening was assayed and discussed.     

Effect of high pressure on fresh cheese shelf-life

The effect of high pressure (HP; 300 and 400 MPa for 5 min at 6 °C) on physico-chemical, microbial, color, texture and sensorial characteristics of starter-free fresh cheeses stored at 4 and 8 °C was studied. Physico-chemical parameters considered were total solids, fat, total protein, pH, whey loss and water activity. The microbiological quality was studied, on cheeses stored at 4 and 8 °C, by enumerating aerobic mesophilic bacteria, lactococci, psychrotrophic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, molds and yeasts. Cheeses treated at 300 and 400 MPa, stored at 4 °C, presented a shelf-life of 14 and 21 days, respectively, compared to untreated control cheese, which presented a shelf life of 7 days. On the other hand, HP treatments modified the texture (more firm) and color (more yellow) compared to control cheeses. These changes were detected by instrumental and sensory analysis.     

Use of high pressure treatment to attenuate starter bacteria for use as adjuncts for Cheddar cheese manufacture

Attenuated starter bacteria cannot produce acid during cheese manufacture, but contain enzymes that contribute to cheese ripening. The aim of this study was to investigate attenuation of starter bacteria using high pressure treatment, for use in combination with a primary starter for Cheddar cheese manufacture, and to determine the effect of such adjunct cultures on secondary proteolysis during ripening. Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris HP and L. lactis ssp. cremoris 303 were attenuated by pressure treatment at 200 MPa for 20 min at 20 °C. Cheddar cheese was manufactured using untreated cultures of both these starter strains, either alone or in combination with their high pressure-treated equivalents. High pressure-treated starters did not produce acid during cheese manufacture and starter counts in cheeses manufactured using high pressure-treated starter did not differ from those of the controls. Higher levels of cell lysis were apparent in cheese manufactured using high pressure-treated strains than in the controls after 26 d of ripening. Small differences were observed in the peptide profiles of cheeses, analysed by reversed-phase HPLC; cheeses manufactured using high pressure-treated starters also had slightly higher levels of amino acids than the relevant controls. Overall, addition of high pressure-treated starter bacteria as a secondary starter culture accelerated secondary proteolysis in Cheddar cheese.

Industrial relevance

Attenuated starters provide extra pool of enzymes, which can influence cheese ripening, without affecting the cheese making schedule. This paper presents an alternative method for attenuation of starter bacteria using high pressure treatment and their subsequent use to accelerate secondary proteolysis in Cheddar cheese during ripening.     

Fate of Escherichia coli strains inoculated in model cheese elaborated with or without starter and treated by high hydrostatic pressure

The aim of this research was to study high hydrostatic pressure inactivation of two strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli O59:H21 [CECT 405] and E. coli O157:H7 [CECT 5947]) inoculated in washed-curd model cheese elaborated with and without starter and the ability of these strains for survival, recovery, and growth. Samples were treated at 300, 400, and 500 MPa for 10 min at 20 degrees C and analyzed after the treatment and after 1, 7, and 15 days of storage at 8 degrees C to study the behavior of Escherichia populations. Cheeses elaborated with starter showed the maximum lethality at 400 and 500 MPa, and no significant differences in the baroresistant behavior of either strains were detected, except for E. coli O157:H7 at 400 MPa in cell counts obtained with thin agar layer method medium, where the decrease value was significantly lower. In cheese elaborated without starter, the highest decrease value was observed at 500 MPa, except for E. coli O59:H21 in cell counts obtained with selective culture medium, where the highest decrease value was also found at 400 MPa. The ability to repair and grow was not observed in model cheese elaborated with starter, as cell counts of treated samples decreased after 15 days of storage at 8 degrees C. By contrast, in cheese elaborated without starter, all pressurized samples showed the trend to repair and grow during the storage period in both strains. These results suggest that the presence of starter and low pH values are the main factors that control the ability of Escherichia strains inoculated in this type of cheese and treated by high hydrostatic pressure to recover and grow.     

温度对大豆奶酪成熟特性的研究

分别研究了大豆奶酪在不同的温度条件下的成熟特性.氨基酸态氮分析、质构分析以及风味品尝的结果均表明采用变温培养,即先在30℃成熟2d后再15℃成熟54d的大豆奶酪成熟度最好,其氨基酸态氮含量最高、硬度最低,品尝口感最好.