Vitamin D3 fortification, quantification, and long-term stability in Cheddar and low-fat cheeses

Considering the widespread insufficiency of vitamin D, the fortification of additional foods with vitamin D is warranted. The objective of this research was to assess the feasibility of vitamin D3 fortification in natural hard cheeses. We examined the recovery, distribution, long-term retention, and heat stability of the vitamin in industrially made fortified Cheddar and low-fat cheeses. The results indicated that the vitamin D3 did not degrade during processing, over 1 year of ripening (3-8 degrees C), or after thermal treatment at 232 degrees C for 5 min. Vitamin D3 recovery in the fortified Cheddar and low-fat cheeses were, respectively, 91 and 55% of the vitamin D3 added to the milk used to make each cheese. The remaining vitamin D3 was entrained in the whey. The vitamin D3 was uniformly distributed throughout the blocks of cheese. The fortification process did not alter the yield, chemical composition, or flavor of the Cheddar cheese. We conclude that industrially manufactured Cheddar and low-fat cheeses are suitable for vitamin D3 fortification.     

Rheological and proteolytic properties of Monterey Jack goat's milk cheese during aging

To enhance the understanding of the quality traits of goat's milk cheeses, rheological and proteolytic properties of Monterey Jack goat's milk cheese were evaluated during 26 weeks of 4 degrees C storage. As expected with aging, beta-casein levels decreased with concomitant increases in peptide levels and were correlated with changes in rheological properties of the cheese. Hydrolysis of the protein matrix resulted in more flexible (increased viscoelastic properties) and softer (decreased hardness, shear stress, and shear rigidity) cheeses. During the first 4-8 weeks of storage, cheese texture changed significantly (P < 0.05) and then stabilized. Characterization of rheological and proteolytic properties of the goat's milk semihard cheese during aging provided insight into the changes occurring in the protein matrix, the relationship to structure, and a shift in cheese quality.     

产脂肪酶乳酸菌对新疆传统奶酪脂肪酸及风味的影响

为了改善奶酪品质,奶酪生产过程中通常会添加脂肪酶或者产脂肪酶乳酸菌来提升产品品质。该研究以前期筛选的4株高产脂肪酶乳酸菌为发酵剂,分别随机选取3株乳酸菌复配制作酸凝奶酪。试验组：A组T1-5和T1-3属融合魏斯氏菌（Weissella confusa）、H1-6属瑞士乳杆菌（Lactobacillus helveticus）,B组H1-6、T1-5、B2-5属植物乳杆菌（Lactobacillus plantarum）,C组H1-6、T1-3、B2-5,D组T1-3、T1-5、B2-5,对照组（E组）（添加商业发酵剂）,分析发酵剂对传统奶酪pH值、滴定酸度和脂肪氧化情况的影响,并利用气相色谱法（Gas Chromatography,GC）检测奶酪中脂肪酸变化、利用气相色谱-离子迁移谱（Gas Chromatography-Ion Mobility Chromatography,GC-IMS）分析奶酪中风味物质的变化。结果表明：A,B,C,D组4组奶酪的pH值、过氧化值（Peroxide value,POV值）明显低于E组（对照组）（P < 0.05）,A,B组奶酪滴定酸度比对照E组高（P < 0.05）;A,B,C,D组奶酪中饱和脂肪酸（Saturated Fatty Acids,SFA）含量、单不饱和脂肪酸（Monounsaturated Fatty Acids,MUFA）含量和多不饱和脂肪酸（Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids,PUFA）含量均显著高于E组（P < 0.05）;4个试验组样品中亚油酸（C18∶2n6c）含量明显高于对照组（E组）（P < 0.05）。GC-IMS及主成分分析结果显示,A、B组奶酪挥发性风味物质种类多,且相似度较高,其中2-庚酮、丁醛、乙酸丁酯是主要呈味物质;C、E两组奶酪中风味物质比较相似,风味物质主要以乙酸乙酯、乙酸丙酯、己酸乙酯等酯类为主;D组与其他4组有所差异,主要挥发性风味物质为乙酸丁酯、3-辛酮、庚醛等。结合感官评定,A、B两组奶酪整体风味和口感较好,评分较高。筛选得到的产脂肪酶乳酸菌可以作为发酵剂用于提升新疆传统奶酪品质。     

Prediction of dry matter, fat, pH, vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, total antioxidant capacity, and color in fresh and freeze-dried cheeses by visible-near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy

Visible-near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy was used to predict dry matter, fat, pH, retinol, alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, xanthophylls, sodium chloride, calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, total antioxidant capacity, brightness, redness, and yellowness in both fresh and freeze-dried cheeses. A total of 445 cheeses of four cheese varieties were investigated. Composition of samples was analyzed by reference methods. Samples were scanned (400-2500 nm) and predictive equations were developed using modified partial least-squares with both cross-validation and external validation. Coefficient of determination (R(2)) and residual predictive deviation (RPD) in external validation were satisfactory for dry matter (0.97; 5.99), fat (0.90; 3.22), beta-carotene (0.92; 3.43), sodium chloride (0.89; 2.94), calcium (0.95; 4.62), Zinc (0.93; 3.75), brightness (0.96; 4.88), redness (0.96; 5.23), and yellowness (0.93; 3.73) in fresh cheeses. Poor predictions were obtained for pH, retinol, alpha-tocopherol, xanthophylls, potassium, magnesium, and total antioxidant capacity (R(2) < 0.81; RPD < 3).     

The addition of Propionibacterium freudenreichii to Raclette cheese induces biochemical changes and enhances flavor development

Two mixtures of Propionibacterium freudenreichii commercial strains were tested as adjunct cultures in pasteurized milk Raclette cheese to investigate the ability of propionibacteria (PAB) to enhance flavor development. Cheese flavor was assessed by a trained sensory panel, and levels of free amino acids, free fatty acids, and volatile compounds were determined. The PAB level showed a 1.4 log increase within the ripening period (12 weeks at 11 degrees C). Eye formation, which was not desired, was not observed in PAB cheeses. PAB fermented lactate to acetate and propionate and produced fatty acids by lipolysis, branched chain volatile compounds derived from isoleucine and leucine catabolism and some esters. One of the experimental cheeses received the highest scores for odor and flavor intensity and was characterized by higher frequencies of detection for some minor notes ("propionic"and "whey" odor, "sweet" taste). PAB can therefore be considered as potential adjunct cultures to enhance or modify cheese flavor development.     

Time course and specificity of lipolysis in Swiss cheese

Controlling lipolysis in cheese is necessary to ensure the formation of desirable flavor. To get a better understanding of the mechanism of lipolysis in Swiss cheese, cheeses were manufactured with and without (control) the addition of Propionibacterium freudenreichii. Products of lipolysis were quantified throughout ripening. Half of the free fatty acids (FFA) released in milk (3.66 mg/g fat), in particular the short-chain FFA, were lost in the whey during curd drainage, whereas diglycerides and monoglycerides were retained within the curd. P. freudenreichii was responsible for the release of most FFA during ripening (10.84 and 0.39 mg/g fat in propionibacteria-containing and control cheeses, respectively). Indices of lipolysis displayed low specificity. All types of FFA were released, but butyric and palmitic acids more significantly, which could be due to a low sn-1,3 regioselectivity. All glycerides were hydrolyzed in the following order: monoglycerides>diglycerides>triglycerides. The results of this study show the quantitative and qualitative contributions of the different lipolytic agents to Swiss cheese lipolysis.     

Effect of different membrane separation technologies (Ultrafiltration and microfiltration) on the texture and microstructure of semihard low-fat cheeses

Semihard low-fat cheeses made from ultrafiltered (UF) or microfiltered (MF) milk were compared. The use of MF membranes and milder pasteurization of the milk reduced the retention of whey proteins in the retentate to 35%, compared with approximately 100% retained in the UF process. Microbiological development, physicochemical composition, and cheese ripening were not altered by the concentration processes. The lower retention of whey protein in MF cheeses accounted for their higher hardness, which correlated with higher firmness values in the textural analysis. Microstructure showed a protein matrix with open spaces through the protein network, although micrographs of UF cheeses showed the presence of spongy structures linked to the casein, which did not appear in MF cheeses and which correspond to the denatured whey protein bound to the casein. Firmness was scored better in MF cheeses, although when MF membranes were used, the optimum yields achieved using UF membranes were not attained.     

Evaluation of APHA and AOAC methods for phosphatase in cheese

Varieties of market cheese were analyzed for alkaline phosphatase by the modified rapid colorimetric method of the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the official AOAC method, 16.304-16.306. In the APHA method, 5 g cheese (pH less than 7.0) is macerated with 2 mL 1:1 carbonate buffer, or 2 mL water (for cheese with pH greater than 7.0). Addition of 0.1 mL magnesium acetate (1 mg magnesium) to test portions of cheese extracts yielded reproducible and quantitative recovery of added phosphatase. In the AOAC method, macerating 0.5 g cheese with 1 mL borate buffer before adding milk phosphatase improved recovery among cheeses. Addition of magnesium ion increased phosphatase activity in some cheeses. Phosphatases in blue mold-ripened and Swiss cheeses were inactivated by heat faster than was milk phosphatase, yet milk phosphatase added to various soft cheeses was completely inactivated at 60 degrees C for 10 min. The lability of phosphatase was due to the heat-denaturing effect of NaCl present in finished cheeses. Some Mexican style soft cheeses contained both heat-labile and heat-stable phosphatases. These data suggest that the phosphatase test to differentiate milk and microbial phosphatases on the basis of repasteurization and analysis of cheese is no longer valid.     

Transmission electron microscopy of mozzarella cheeses made from microfluidized milk.

The nanostructure of Mozzarella cheeses prepared from microfluidized milk was compared with that of control cheeses made from untreated milk. Milk heated to 10 or 54 degrees C and containing 1.0 or 3.2% fat was homogenized by microfluidization at 34 or 172 MPa prior to cheesemaking. The effects on the casein particles and fat globules in the cheese were determined by transmission electron microscopy after 1 day and 6 weeks of storage at 4 degrees C. The micrographs showed that electron-dense regions theorized to be casein submicelles rearranged from a homogeneous configuration to a pattern of clusters during the storage period. The nanostructure of the cheeses made from milk processed under the mildest conditions resembled the controls, but otherwise the fat droplets decreased in size and increased in number as the pressure and temperature were increased. The results indicate that both homogenization temperature and pressure affect the nanostructure of Mozzarella cheese.     

The viscoelastic properties of processed cheeses depend on their thermal history and fat polymorphism

Both the composition and the thermal kinetics that are applied to processed cheeses can affect their texture. This study investigated the effect of the storage conditions and thermal history on the viscoelastic properties of processed cheese and the physical properties of the fat phase. The microstructure of processed cheese has been characterized. Using a combination of physical techniques such as rheometry, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction, the partial crystallization of fat and the polymorphism of triacylglycerols (TG; main constituents of milk fat) were related to changes in the elastic modulus and tan δ as a function of temperature. In the small emulsion droplets (<1 μm) dispersed in processed cheeses, the solid fat phase was studied at a molecular level and showed differences as a function of the thermal history. Storage of processed cheese at 4 °C and its equilibration at 25 °C lead to partial crystallization of the fat phase, with the formation of a β' 2 L (40.9 ?) structure; on cooling at 2 °C min(-1), the formation of an α 3 L (65.8 ?) structure was characterized. The cooling of processed cheese from 60 to -10 °C leads to the formation of a single type of crystal: α 3 L (72 ?). Structural reorganizations of the solid fat phase characterized on heating allowed the interpretation of the elastic modulus evolution of processed cheese. This study evidenced polymorphism of TG in a complex food product such as processed cheese and allowed a better understanding of the viscoelastic properties as a function of the thermal history.     

Mozzarella干酪加工过程中主要理化指标变化及其产率计算

该文目的在于为干酪功能特性、含水率和产率的控制提供理论依据,使用标准化原料乳经低温巴氏杀菌,采用无盐渍新工艺生产Mozzarella干酪,从添加发酵剂开始,到制成新鲜干酪,测定各阶段干酪凝块的温度、水分含量、pH值和滴定酸度及各阶段乳清和凝块的蛋白和脂肪含量,计算Mozzarella干酪的效能和产率。试验结果表明：在排乳清和粉碎加盐阶段,干酪凝块中的水分含量变化幅度最大,排出乳清中的蛋白和脂肪数量明显增加;干酪的脂肪回收率达到92.22%,实际测得的乳清中脂肪的损失率为7.62%;乳蛋白的回收率达到83.60%,仅有16.72%的蛋白质损失于乳清中;在堆酿阶段pH值有一个从6.3(干酪凝块5.5)至5.25的快速下降过程。Mozzarella干酪的实际产率达到12.38%,达到了同类型干酪的产率要求。Mozzarella干酪的理化指标达到了美国全脂Mozzarella干酪的标准。     

Factors affecting the retention of rennet in cheese curd

The coagulant retained in cheese curd is a major contributor to proteolysis during ripening. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of several milk-related factors and parameters during cheese manufacture on the retention of coagulant in cheese curd. The amount of coagulant retained in curd was determined by its activity on a synthetic heptapeptide (Pro-Thr-Glu-Phe-[NO2-Phe]-Arg-Leu) using reversed-phase HPLC. The retention of chymosin in cheese curd increased significantly when the pH of milk was reduced at rennet addition below pH 6.1, the pH at whey drainage below pH 5.7, or the average casein micelle size in milk and when the ionic strength of milk was increased. The casein content of milk and the quantity of chymosin added to milk had no significant effect on the retention of chymosin in curd; the quantity of coagulant bound per gram of casein remained unchanged.     

Production of hard-type cheese using free or immobilized freeze-dried kefir cells as a starter culture

This study provides a contribution to hard-type cheese starter culture production through the use of a freeze-dried culture in the ripening of hard-type cheeses. The effect of initial cell concentration, ripening temperature, and cell immobilization of kefir on the degree of openness, mold spoilage, microbial associations, physicochemical characteristics, and aroma-related compounds was studied. Use of kefir starter cultures resulted in cheese with an increased shelf life and resistance to spoilage as compared to control cheeses without kefir inoculants. Furthermore, the freeze-dried kefir culture improved aroma, taste, and texture characteristics while increasing the degree of openness in comparison to traditional hard-type cheese products. The kefir culture resulted in an increase in counts of total aerobic bacteria, yeasts and molds, lactococci, and lactobacilli until the 15th day of ripening. From then on, only lactobacilli counts increased, reaching levels up to 9.17 log CFU/g in cheeses ripened at 5 degrees C using freeze-dried kefir cells immobilized on casein. SPME-GC/MS analysis revealed major differences in volatile composition, especially with regard to alcohols (up to 75%), carbonyl compounds (up to 75%), and esters (up to 64%) between cheeses made with kefir cells and cheeses made without kefir inoculants.     

Current knowledge of soft cheeses flavor and related compounds

Cheese aroma is the result of the perception of a large number of molecules belonging to different chemical classes. The volatile compounds involved in the soft cheese flavor have received a great deal of attention. However, there has been less work concerning the volatile compounds in the soft smear-ripened cheeses than in the mold-ripened cheeses. This paper reviews the components that contribute to the characteristic flavor in the soft cheeses such as surface-ripened, Camembert-type, and Blue cheeses. The sensory properties and quantities of the molecules in the different cheeses are discussed.     

Characterization of aroma compounds responsible for the rosy/floral flavor in Cheddar cheese

The aroma-active compounds that contribute to the rosy/floral flavor in Cheddar cheese were characterized using both instrumental and sensory techniques. Two cheeses (>12 months old) with rosy/floral flavor and two Cheddar cheeses of similar ages without rosy/floral flavors were selected. After direct solvent extraction/solvent-assisted flavor evaporation and separation into neutral/basic and acidic fractions, samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-olfactometry with aroma extract dilution analysis. Selected compounds were quantified using internal standard methodology. Some of the intense aroma-active compounds in the neutral basic fraction of the rosy/floral cheeses included 2-phenethanol (rosy), phenylethyl acetate (rosy), and phenylacetaldehyde (rosy/floral). Quantification, threshold analysis, and sensory analysis of model cheeses confirmed that increased concentrations of phenylacetaldehyde and phenylacetic acid caused rosy/floral flavor when spiked into Cheddar cheese.     

Influence of a probiotic adjunct culture of Enterococcus faecium on the quality of cheddar cheese

Cheddar cheese has previously been shown to be an effective vehicle for delivery of viable cells of a probiotic Enterococcus faecium strain to the gastrointestinal tract. The particular strain, E. faecium PR88, has proven efficacy in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, and in this study it was evaluated for suitability as a starter adjunct for Cheddar cheese manufacture. When added to cheesemilk at an inoculum of 2 x 10(7) cfu/mL, the enterococcal adjunct maintained viability in Cheddar cheese at levels of up to 3 x 10(8) cfu/g during 9 months of ripening. Increased proteolysis and higher levels of some odor-active volatile compounds were observed in Cheddar cheeses containing the PR88 adjunct compared with the control throughout the ripening period. In addition, the enterococcal adjunct strain did not affect cheese composition. Although sensory evaluation showed no significant difference in flavor/aroma and body/texture scores between control and experimental cheeses, repeated comments by the commercial grader consistently described the cheeses containing PR88 as 'more advanced than the control' and as having 'better flavor'. These findings indicate that the presence of the PR88 adjunct strain in Cheddar cheese at levels of >/=10(8) cfu/g may positively influence Cheddar flavor.     

Mozzarella干酪成熟中蛋白水解与功能特性的变化

为控制干酪的质量,对Mozzarella干酪成熟过程中蛋白质的水解(测定SDS凝胶电泳和可溶性氮)和未融化干酪的质构变化以及融化干酪功能特性变化进行了研究,干酪成熟过程中由于凝乳酶和乳酸菌酶的作用使蛋白水解,从而使pH 4.6可溶性氮(SN)和12% TCA SN逐渐增加;凝乳酶主要影响酪蛋白的水解范围,乳酸菌及其酶,不但影响酪蛋白的水解范围,而且主要影响酪蛋白的水解深度。干酪中的残留凝乳酶和乳酸菌酶使酪蛋白水解为大分子量的肽段,而乳酸菌酶还可将大分子量的肽段进一步降解为小分子量的肽段和游离氨基酸。由于酪蛋白的水解,使干酪的硬度和弹性下降,融化性和油脂析出性增加,随着小分子量肽和游离氨基酸的增加,干酪的褐变性提高。     

Flavor enhancement of reduced fat cheddar cheese using an integrated culturing system

Mild cheese flavor in reduced fat Cheddar cheese was enhanced by using an integrated starter culture system. Three cultures, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris SK11, L. lactis subsp. lactis biovar. diacetylactis JVI, and Lactobacillus casei 7A, were carefully selected to obtain a nonbitter, mildly acid, buttery flavored cheese. Cheeses were produced from all possible combinations of these cultures with the constraint that L. lactis subsp. cremoris SK11 was used as the primary acid-producing culture. Cheeses made with SK11 were compared to cheeses produced using an L. lactis subsp. cremoris commercial starter culture. Cheeses were ripened for 150 days and periodically sampled for chemical, microbiological, and sensory analysis. Cheeses produced with L. lactis subsp. cremorisSK11 had substantially lower bitterness intensity than the cheeses produced with commercial starter culture. L. lactis subsp. lactis biovar. diacetylactis JVI significantly increased diacetylacetoin and acetate concentrations. Sensory results indicate that these cheeses had increased buttery (diacetyl) flavor.     

Heat-induced aggregation of whey proteins: comparison of cheese WPC with acid WPC and relevance of mineral composition

Heat-induced aggregation of whey proteins in solutions made from two commercial whey protein concentrates (WPCs), one derived from mineral acid whey (acid WPC) and the other from cheese whey (cheese WPC), was studied using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Heat treatment (75 degrees C) of acid WPC solutions (12.0%, w/w, pH 6.9) resulted in formation of relatively small "soluble" aggregates that were predominantly disulfide-linked. By contrast, heat treatment of the cheese WPC solutions (under the same conditions) caused formation of relatively large aggregates, containing high proportions of aggregates linked by noncovalent associations. The rate of aggregation of both beta-lactoglobulin and alpha-lactalbumin at 75 degrees C, measured as the loss of native proteins by PAGE, was higher in the cheese WPC solution than in the acid WPC solution. Cross dialysis of the two WPC solutions resulted in alteration of the mineral composition of each WPC solution and reversing their heat-induced aggregation behavior. The results demonstrated that the mineral composition is very important in controlling the aggregation behavior of WPC products.     

Binding between bixin and whey protein at pH 7.4 studied by spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry

Bixin is the major coloring component of annatto used in manufacturing colored cheeses, but its presence in liquid whey causes undesirable quality of the recovered whey protein ingredients. The objective of this work was to study molecular binding between bixin and three major whey proteins (β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, and bovine serum albumin) at pH 7.4 using UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry, and circular dichroism. These complementary techniques illustrated that the binding is a spontaneous complexation process mainly driven by hydrophobic interactions. The complexation is favored at a lower temperature and a higher ionic strength. At a lower temperature, the binding is entropy-driven, while it changes to an enthalpy-driven process at higher temperatures. The binding also increases the percentage of unordered secondary structures of proteins. Findings from this work can be used to develop whey protein recovery processes for minimizing residual annatto content in whey protein ingredients.