Free oil and rheology of Cheddar cheese containing fat globules stabilized with different proteins

Cheddar cheese was manufactured from recombined milk containing fat globules coated with alpha(s1)-CN (casein), alpha(s2)-CN, beta-CN, kappa-CN, alpha-lactalbumin, or beta-lactoglobulin. The effect of the coating on fat globule structure, free oil formation, and cheese rheology was investigated to determine if globule coating affected the physical structure of cheese. Fat globule size and shape were determined in cheese using confocal laser scanning microscopy, and the rheological properties measured by uniaxial compression after maturation for 35 and 70 d. Fat globules were elongated and clustered in the control cheese coated with native membrane material and in cheese where the globules were coated with alpha(s2)-CN, but were more circular and distinct than all others. Cheese containing globules coated with alpha(s2)-CN fractured at a lower strain and with a lower stress than other experimental cheeses. Free oil decreased in cheese as the stress at fracture of the cheese protein matrix increased. Strain at fracture increased as pH increased from 4.7 to 5.3. There was no correlation between free oil and fat globule circularity. Cheddar cheese aroma was not evident in experimental cheeses.     

Impact of fat reduction on flavor and flavor chemistry of Cheddar cheeses

A current industry goal is to produce a 75 to 80% fat-reduced Cheddar cheese that is tasty and appealing to consumers. Despite previous studies on reduced-fat cheese, information is critically lacking in understanding the flavor and flavor chemistry of reduced-fat and nonfat Cheddar cheeses and how it differs from its full-fat counterpart. The objective of this study was to document and compare flavor development in cheeses with different fat contents so as to quantitatively characterize how flavor and flavor development in Cheddar cheese are altered with fat reduction. Cheddar cheeses with 50% reduced-fat cheese (RFC) and low-fat cheese containing 6% fat (LFC) along with 2 full-fat cheeses (FFC) were manufactured in duplicate. Cheeses were ripened at 8°C and samples were taken following 2 wk and 3, 6, and 9 mo for sensory and instrumental volatile analyses. A trained sensory panel (n = 10 panelists) documented flavor attributes of cheeses. Volatile compounds were extracted by solid-phase microextraction or solvent-assisted flavor evaporation followed by separation and identification using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-olfactometry. Selected compounds were quantified using external standard curves. Sensory properties of cheeses were distinct initially but more differences were documented as cheeses aged. By 9 mo, LFC and RFC displayed distinct burnt/rosy flavors that were not present in FFC. Sulfur flavor was also lower in LFC compared with other cheeses. Forty aroma-active compounds were characterized in the cheeses by headspace or solvent extraction followed by gas chromatography-olfactometry. Compounds were largely not distinct between the cheeses at each time point, but concentration differences were evident. Higher concentrations of furanones (furaneol, homofuraneol, sotolon), phenylethanal, 1-octen-3-one, and free fatty acids, and lower concentrations of lactones were present in LFC compared with FFC after 9 mo of ripening. These results confirm that flavor differences documented between full-fat and reduced-fat cheeses are not due solely to differences in matrix and flavor release but also to distinct differences in ripening biochemistry, which leads to an imbalance of many flavor-contributing compounds.     

Viscoelastic properties of acid milk gel as affected by fat nature at low level

The viscoelastic properties of acid milk gels containing small amounts of different fats were investigated. Skim milk was reconstituted from ultra low-heat skim milk powder and emulsions made with 2% (v/v) sunflower oil, olive oil, groundnut oil, or anhydrous milk fat using a pressure homogenizer. Acidification at 20 °C for 14 h to pH ∼4.6 was achieved by adding glucono-δ-lactone to the emulsion. Stress relaxation testing enabled determination of the firmness and the solid-like properties, i.e., elasticity. Regardless of the physical state of the fat, emulsion gels exhibited higher firmness than fat-free gels, despite the low fat level used. The firmness of the gels containing this small quantity of fat was more sensitive to temperature than was the firmness of fat-free gels. The relaxation time was higher in the presence of fat crystals. Modifications in the rheological properties of gels containing fat were attributed to fat droplets acting as active filler particles.     

Composition and Quality Attributes of Reduced-Fat Cheese as Affected by Lecithin Type

Cheddar cheeses with 33% reduced-fat content were prepared with granular soy lecithin, hydrogenated soy lecithin, or oat. Addition of lecithin increased the wet weight yields and moisture of cheeses (P≤0.05). Reflected color values (L* and h_ab) were increased in cheeses containing granular soy lecithin (P≤0.05). Acid values of cheeses with lecithin were higher than control cheeses (P≤0.05). Concentrations of lecithin at 0.2% (w/w) resulted in visible changes in micro-structure of the cheeses. Granular soy lecithin or oat lecithin added to reduced-fat cheeses resulted in a decrease in flavor quality (P≤0.05). Hydrogenated soy lecithin added to reduced-fat cheeses improved texture quality without negatively affecting flavor quality.     

Rheological Properties of Cheddar Cheese as Influenced by Fat Reduction and Ripening Time

Fat reduction in Cheddar cheese resulted in an increase in viscoelasticity as evidenced by increases in G’and G”. Proteolysis during ripening led to softening of all cheeses and thus decreases in G’and G” for cheeses containing 34, 27, and 20% fat. Cheese with 13% fat showed a decrease in G’upon ripening, but no change in G”. This lack of change in viscous behavior may be important to the texture of reduced-fat Cheddar cheese and overall acceptability. Dynamic rheological testing was helpful in understanding rheological behavior associated with fat reduction in cheese.     

Cheddar Cheese from Ultrafiltered Whole Milk Retentates in Industrial Cheese Making

Transporting whole milk retentates of ultrafiltration to a distant large industrial Cheddar cheese making site resulted in 16 lots of Cheddar cheese from vats containing 2,546 to 16,360 kg of cheese milk. Whole milk retentates concentrated by ultrafiltration to 4.5:1 were added to cheese milks to give mixtures concentrated 1.2:1 and 1.3:1 with approximately 20 and 30% more protein and fat, respectively, than in unsupplemented control whole milks or unsupplemented commercial reference milks.Gross composition of Cheddar cheese made from commercial reference, control, and retentate-supplemented milk generally showed no major differences. Yield increased in cheese made from retentate-supplemented milk. Yield efficiency per kilogram total solids rose in retentate cheese over controls but not among commercial reference, control, and retentate lots based on per kilogram fat or total protein. Milk components were higher in wheys from retentate cheeses, but loss of components per kilogram cheese obtained generally showed lower values in whey from retentate cheese.General quality of retentate Cheddar cheese was equal to that of reference unsupplemented commercial cheese and higher than unsupplemented control Cheddar cheeses. It appears technically feasible to ultrafilter milk at one site, such as the farm, collecting station, or specialized center, and transport it to an industrial site for Cheddar cheese making.     

Application of encapsulated enzymes to accelerate cheese ripening

The suitability of gellan, κ-carrageenan and a high-melting-fat-fraction of milk fat (HMFF) to encapsulate protease enzymes (Flavourzyme) and impact in accelerating Cheddar cheese ripening were studied. The rates of enzyme entrapment were 48.2%, 55.6%, and 38.9% for gellan, κ-carrageenan and HMFF, respectively. The enzyme capsules were incorporated into milk during cheese manufacture. The moisture content of cheeses with added gum capsules was higher than control cheeses. Casein (β) degradation was monitored by High-Performance Capillary Electrophoresis. All cheeses treated with encapsulated enzyme showed higher rates of proteolysis than the control cheese throughout the ripening period. The rate of proteolysis was greater with cheeses made incorporating κ-carrageenan capsules containing protease. Cheese texture and sensory quality were not significantly influenced by the type of encapsulating material (gum or milk fat). Differences in textural and sensory quality between treated and control cheeses were consistent with release of protease enzymes from capsules.     

Reduced fat process cheese made from young reduced fat Cheddar cheese manufactured with exopolysaccharide-producing cultures

In a previous study, exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing cultures improved textural and functional properties of reduced fat Cheddar cheese. Because base cheese has an impact on the characteristics of process cheese, we hypothesized that the use of EPS-producing cultures in making base reduced fat Cheddar cheese (BRFCC) would allow utilization of more young cheeses in making reduced fat process cheese. The objective of this study was to evaluate characteristics of reduced fat process cheese made from young BRFCC containing EPS as compared with those in cheese made from a 50/50 blend of young and aged EPS-negative cheeses. Reduced fat process cheeses were manufactured using young (2 d) or 1-mo-old EPS-positive or negative BRFCC. Moisture and fat of reduced fat process cheese were standardized to 49 and 21%, respectively. Enzyme modified cheese was incorporated to provide flavor of aged cheese. Exopolysaccharide-positive reduced fat process cheese was softer, less chewy and gummy, and exhibited lower viscoelastic moduli than the EPS-negative cheeses. The hardness, chewiness, and viscoelastic moduli were lower in reduced fat process cheeses made from 1-mo-old BRFCC than in the corresponding cheeses made from 2-d-old BRFCC. This could be because of more extensive proteolysis and lower pH in the former cheeses. Sensory scores for texture of EPS-positive reduced fat process cheeses were higher than those of the EPS-negative cheeses. Panelists did not detect differences in flavor between cheeses made with enzyme modified cheese and aged cheese. No correlations were found between the physical and melting properties of base cheese and process cheese.     

Reduced-fat cheddar cheese manufactured using a novel fat removal process

Normally, reduced-fat Cheddar cheese is made by removal of fat from milk prior to cheese making. Typical aged flavor may not develop when 50% reduced-fat Cheddar cheese is produced by this approach. Moreover, the texture of the reduced-fat cheeses produced by the current method may often be hard and rubbery. Previous researchers have demonstrated that aged Cheddar cheese flavor intensity resides in the water-soluble fraction. Therefore, we investigated the feasibility of fat removal after the aging of Cheddar cheese. We hypothesized the typical aged cheese flavor would remain with the cheese following fat removal. A physical process for the removal of fat from full-fat aged Cheddar cheese was developed. The efficiency of fat removal at various temperatures, gravitational forces, and for various durations of applied forces was determined. Temperature had the greatest effect on the removal of fat. Gravitational force and the duration of applied force were less important at higher temperatures. A positive linear relationship between temperature and fat removal was observed from 20 to 33 degrees C. Conditions of 30 degrees C and 23,500 x g for 5 min removed 50% of the fat. The removed fat had some aroma but little or no taste. The fatty acid composition, triglyceride molecular weight distribution, and melting profile of the fat retained in the reduced-fat cheeses were all consistent with a slight increase in the proportion of saturated fat relative to the full-fat cheeses. The process of fat removal decreased the grams of saturated fat per serving of cheese from 6.30 to 3.11 g. The flavor intensity of the reduced-fat cheeses were at least as intense as the full-fat cheeses.     

Flavouring reduced fat high fibre cheese products with enzyme modified cheeses (EMCs)

Medium (13%) and low (2%) fat imitation cheeses (pH 6 or 5.5) were flavoured with 5% w/w EMC containing 16%, 28% or 47% total free fatty acids (low to high levels of hydrolysis, respectively) and were examined by a sensory panel. Aroma active short-chain free fatty acids were monitored using gas chromatographic techniques. Regardless of cheese pH or EMC composition, panellists ranked all medium-fat cheeses similarly. Low-fat cheeses flavoured (pH 6 or 5.5) with low or medium lipolysis EMC were described as ‘well-balanced’ and ‘cheesy’ and were significantly more preferred to cheeses containing high hydrolysis EMCs. Low-fat cheeses were least preferred of all cheeses because of ‘very intense’ bursts of off-flavours. Lower pH cheeses were softer and less melting. Higher fat levels in imitation cheese modulated a greater retention of fat-based flavour compounds and improved their release during consumption more than did lower fat levels.     

Cheese fortification using saturated monoglyceride self‐assembly structures as carrier of omega‐3 fatty acids

The purpose of this research was to study the capacity of emulsions containing saturated monoglyceride self‐assembly structures to deliver omega‐3 fatty acids in fresh soft cheese. To this aim, fortified emulsions containing different ratios of milk, saturated monoglycerides (MGs) and cod liver oil were added to milk before cheese‐making. These emulsions were characterised by distinct microstructural features observed by polarised light microscopy and apparent viscosity values. The omega‐3 delivery performance of MG emulsions highlighted that this strategy allowed a good retention of the omega‐3‐rich oil in the curd (up to 75%). The fortified cheeses showed yield value and fat content higher than those of control samples. The enriched cheese showed hardness and cohesiveness obtained by texture profile analysis similar to those of the unfortified product. Only a slight decrease in gumminess was detected in fortified cheese.     

Influence of calcium and phosphorus, lactose, and salt-to-moisture ratio on Cheddar cheese quality: manufacture and composition

Eight Cheddar cheeses with 2 levels of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P), residual lactose, and salt-to-moisture ratio (S/M) were manufactured. All cheeses were made using a stirred-curd procedure and were replicated 3 times. Treatments with a high level of Ca and P were produced by setting the milk and drawing the whey at a higher pH (6.6 and 6.3, respectively) compared with the treatments with a low level of Ca and P (pH of 6.2 and 5.7, respectively). The lactose content in the cheeses was varied by adding lactose (2.5% by weight of milk) to the milk for high lactose cheeses, and washing the curd for low lactose cheeses. The difference in S/M was obtained by dividing the curds into halves, weighing each half, and salting at 3.5 and 2.25% of the weight of the curd for high and low S/M, respectively. All cheeses were salted at a pH of 5.4. Modifications in cheese-making protocols produced cheeses with desired differences in Ca and P, residual lactose, and S/M. Average Ca and P in the high Ca and P cheeses was 0.68 and 0.48%, respectively, vs. 0.53 and 0.41% for the low Ca and P cheeses. Average lactose content of the high lactose treatments at d 1 was 1.48% compared with 0.30% for the low lactose treatments. The S/M for the high and low S/M cheeses was 6.68 and 4.77%, respectively. Mean moisture, fat, and protein content of the cheeses ranged from 32.07 to 37.57%, 33.32 to 35.93%, and 24.46 to 26.40%, respectively. The moisture content differed among the treatments, whereas fat and protein content on dry basis was similar.     

Ultrafiltered milk reduces bitterness in reduced-fat Cheddar cheese made with an exopolysaccharide-producing culture

The objectives were to reduce bitterness in reduced-fat Cheddar cheese made with an exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing culture and study relationships among ultra-filtration (UF), residual chymosin activity (RCA), and cheese bitterness. In previous studies, EPS-producing cultures improved the textural, melting, and viscoelastic properties of reduced-fat Cheddar cheese. However, the EPS-positive cheese developed bitterness after 2 to 3 mo of ripening due to increased RCA. We hypothesized that the reduced amount of chymosin needed to coagulate UF milk might result in reduced RCA and bitterness in cheese. Reduced-fat Cheddar cheeses were manufactured with EPS-producing and nonproducing cultures using skim milk or UF milk (1.2×) adjusted to a casein:fat ratio of 1.35. The EPS-producing culture increased moisture and RCA in reduced-fat Cheddar cheese. Lower RCA was found in cheese made from UF milk compared with that in cheese made from control milk. Ultrafiltration at a low concentration rate (1.2×) produced EPS-positive, reduced-fat cheese with similar RCA to that in the EPS-negative cheese. Slower proteolysis was observed in UF cheeses compared with non-UF cheeses. Panelists reported that UF EPS-positive cheese was less bitter than EPS-positive cheese made from control milk. This study showed that UF at a low concentration factor (1.2×) could successfully reduce bitterness in cheese containing a high moisture level. Because this technology reduced the RCA level (per g of protein) to a level similar to that in the control cheeses, the contribution of chymosin to cheese proteolysis would be similar in both cheeses.     

Lecithin Improves Texture of Reduced Fat Cheeses

Cheddar-type cheeses with 33% fat reduction were made with 0.2 or 0.5% (w/w) lecithin. Reduced fat cheeses with no lecithin and full fat cheeses were prepared as controls. Cheeses were aged 3 mo prior to instrumental and sensory evaluation. Reduced fat cheese with lecithin received higher overall texture scores from dairy judges than reduced fat control cheeses (P ≤ 0.05). Texture scores from dairy judges for cheeses with lecithin were not different from full fat cheeses. Reduced fat cheeses with lecithin were softer than reduced fat control cheeses as measured instrumentally and according to specific attribute panelists (P ≤ 0.05). Cheese wet weight yields were greater with addition of lecithin (P ≤ 0.05) which resulted in a softer more desirable texture in reduced fat cheeses.     

Arnott Test Correlates with Dynamic Rheological Properties for Determining Cheddar Cheese Meltability

Cheddar cheese with six different fat levels (34.3, 31.5, 26.8, 20.5, 12.6 and <1%) were manufactured and allowed to ripen 4 mo at 7°C. Melting characteristics of the cheeses were studied by the Arnott test and dynamic rheological testing. Meltability of Cheddar cheese was significantly influenced by its fat content as determined by the Arnott test. A significant correlation (r =–0.80) occurred between the minimum complex modulus G′ and meltability of Cheddar cheese. Minimum complex modulus G′ may be a useful predictor of cheese meltability.     

Process optimization and stability of d-limonene nanoemulsions prepared by catastrophic phase inversion method

The aim of this study was to optimize the process and stability of d-limonene nanoemulsions. The nanoemulsions were prepared by catastrophic phase inversion method using Tween 80 as surfactant. According to the results, the SOR value would considerably affect the turbidity and the mean particle diameter of emulsions. At a high concentration of surfactant (S/O = 1.5), d-limonene nanoemulsions could be obtained. In addition, the formation of nanoemulsions may be primarily related to the viscosity of oil phase. When the oil phase contained less than 15% (w/w) olive oil, the nanoemulsions could be prepared. The turbidities and the mean particle diameters of d-limonene nanoemulsions with adding the same concentration of different plant oils were similar. Furthermore, it can be found that adding olive oil could enhance the stability of d-limonene nanoemulsion system and decrease Ostwald ripening rate, and the Ostwald ripening rate of d-limonene nanoemulsion at 4 °C was higher than that at 28 °C.     

Ferric Ions Reduce the Antioxidant Activity of the Phenolic Fraction of Virgin Olive Oil

ABSTRACT: The antioxidant activity of relatively polar extracts from virgin olive oil was investigated in sunflower oil stripped of tocopherols and in tocopherol-stripped sunflower oil-in-water emulsions. The extracts were found to be effective as antioxidants in both media in the absence of added metal ions. However, the antioxidant activity was markedly reduced by the presence of added ferric chloride. In sunflower oil-in-water emulsions (pH 5.4) containing ferric chloride, all concentrations of olive oil polyphenols exhibited pro-oxidant effects. It appears that the reducing action of olive oil polyphenols accelerates oxidation of oil and especially of emulsions containing Fe (III) by reducing ferric ions to ferrous ions, which are effective pro-oxidants during storage.