THE FORMATION OF HISTAMINE IN HERBY CHEESE DURING RIPENING

The purpose of this study is to observe the formation of histamine throughout the period of ripening in herby cheese. Herby cheese samples were made from raw milk and buried in soil where they mature in 3 months. Samples were taken on the first, seventh, 15th, 30th, 60th and 90th days of ripening. The moistness, content pH, salt and (total aerobic mesophile bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, coliform bacteria and yeasts and mold) changes were observed. The concentration of histamine are 2.19 mg/100 g on the first day of ripening. It gradually increased and reached 4.62 mg/100 g on the 90th day. Consequently, the histamine that was observed in herby cheese during the ripening appears to be not important for public health.     

The effect of mendi (Chaerophyllum sp.) on ripening of vacuum-packed herby cheese

The composition, biochemical and sensory parameters of control cheese (without herbs) and four herby cheeses at 0.5, 1, 2 and 3% herb levels (mendi, Chaerophyllum sp.) ripened at 4 ± 1°C for 90 days were compared. As herb levels increased from 0.5 to 3%, dry matter and pH value decreased significantly. However, dry matter of all cheeses showed similar changes during ripening. The salt content of samples changed from 3.44 to 5.47% during ripening. There was a tendency toward slightly higher titratable acidity in cheeses with more added herbs. Ripening index, trichloroacetic acid-soluble nitrogen/total nitrogen, phosphotungstic acid-soluble nitrogen/total nitrogen, and lipolysis values of the cheese samples were affected by adding herbs and by ripening time. The most acceptable sensory score was obtained with 1% added herbs.