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The effects of different storage conditions on the coagulating properties of extracts of Withania coagulans berries were investigated in terms of coagulation time, pH and quality attributes of cheese prepared from buffalo milk. The extracts were stored under different conditions, viz. room temperature (27 ± 3 °C), refrigerated storage (4 °C), frozen storage (−20 °C) and lyophilisation. The milk‐coagulating activity of the plant extracts was measured on a fortnightly basis for a period of 5 months. There was a nonsignificant change in pH and the milk coagulating properties of the lyophilised extract. Physiochemical analysis revealed that cheese prepared with lyophilised extract retained the highest content of ash (2.3%), fat (23.8%), total solids (48.7%) and crude protein (22.7%), and resulted in the highest cheese yield (17.6%) compared to other tested treatments. Thus, it is concluded that lyophilisation has good potential for storage of vegetable extract coagulants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of the homogenisation pressure of cheese milk (0, 25, 100 MPa) and high‐shear mixing of cheese curd at different speeds (750, 1500, and 3000 r.p.m.) and times (2 and 4 min) in improving the texture of medium‐fat cream cheese was investigated independently. Homogenisation resulted in small fat globules and firmer texture, while increasing speed and mixing times resulted in a decrease in curd particle size and an increase in the spreadability of the cheese. All curd samples from both the trials exhibited shear‐thinning behaviour. Unhomogenised milk and high‐shear mixing of the curd showed a low coefficient of friction (better lubrication property). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milk composition varies with season owing to stage of lactation and variation in diet and weather. Variation in the concentration of milk protein is conducive to inconsistency in cheese yield, composition and quality especially where standard operating procedures are not objectively standardised with reference to casein content. Milk protein standardisation (e.g. to 4.5%) by low‐concentration factor ultrafiltration (LCFUF) or microfiltration (LCFMF) provides an effective means of obtaining more consistent cheese manufacture. Consequently, LCFUF is now widely practised. The benefits of LCFUF and LCFMF and the effect of key processing parameters on the quality of cheese from protein‐standardised milk are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The texture and microstructure of Kradi cheese, an indigenous fresh unripened cheese of Jammu and Kashmir, India, were studied. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) for hardness, adhesiveness, springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness and resilience between samples from four different market areas. The optimised products made in the laboratory from cultures NCDC‐167 and NCDC‐144 showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in the textural and mechanical properties of tensile strength. The microstructure of the market samples was distinguished by the greater size of the voids present in three‐dimensional casein network. The optimised laboratory product had a more compact and fibrous structure compared to the market samples, which was attributed to its higher protein content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of ripening time on the microstructural, physicochemical and rheological characteristics of traditional Kope cheese ripened in clay pots was investigated. The moisture content, pH and total nitrogen (TN)/dry matter (DM) of the cheese decreased, and DM, fat in DM and water‐soluble nitrogen/TN increased during this period. Storage and loss moduli increased, while loss tangent decreased; as a result, the elasticity characteristics were greater than the viscous characteristics of the samples. Microstructure images showed that the size of pores and casein network density increased significantly during ripening and, after 90 days, the structure of many pores became very similar to each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milk processing conditions can exert a large influence on the quality of acid‐coagulated cheeses. Herein, we evaluated the influence of milk fat content and coagulant type on Ricotta yield and physical, chemical and sensory properties. Fat‐free Ricotta was hard and whiter than reduced‐fat or full‐fat Ricotta. Ricotta produced from low‐fat and whole milk showed no differences in acceptability, indicating that fat content could be substantially reduced without impairing quality. Milk coagulation by citric acid decreased Ricotta moisture, firmness and yield, whereas calcium chloride produced a white Ricotta with desired firmness and high consumer acceptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB‐12 and the prebiotic inulin in a Mascarpone‐type cheese on its physicochemical parameters during storage, as well as the protective effects of the matrix on the viability of the probiotics and their survival after exposure to simulated gastrointestinal conditions. The incorporation of the probiotic and inulin into the Mascarpone‐type cheese affected specific physicochemical and textural properties. Viable cell counts remained above 6 log cfu/g throughout the whole storage period and after the simulated gastrointestinal conditions, indicating the protective effect of the matrix of the Mascarpone‐type cheese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper imparts better organoleptic properties to cheese, while cheese acts as a vehicle for probiotic cultures. These studies revealed that copper stress changed key probiotic properties like acid and bile salt tolerance of a model organism Lactobacillus helveticus CD6. After growing the culture in copper stress, the acid tolerance at pH 2 was lost along with a decrease in bile salt tolerance by 15%, while other desiring properties like auto‐aggregation, cell surface hydrophobicity and antibacterial activity were improved. This study suggests that copper tolerant culture with retained probiotic properties could be used to deliver through cheese to the consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physicochemical, textural and sensory properties of white soft cheeses made from three different buffalo and cow milk mixtures (100:0, 70:30 and 30:70) during 3-month storage were studied. The increase in buffalo milk concentration resulted in increasing total cheese yield, dry matter (DM) and fat retention and fat in DM content. However, it caused reductions in moisture content, salt intake, hardness, chewiness, elasticity, sensory hardness and sensory cohesiveness of the samples. The percentage of water-soluble nitrogen to total nitrogen increased during storage resulting in decreased fracturability, hardness (textural and sensory), cohesiveness (textural and sensory), springiness, chewiness and elasticity. The panellists evaluated the white soft cheese made with buffalo milk as the most acceptable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pico cheese is a traditional variety manufactured on the eponymous Azorean Island (Portugal). In total, 153 cheeses were analysed. The average total solids (TS) content by the end of maturation was 63.3 ± 0.3 g/100 g, Aw 0.943-0.966, salt-in-moisture 2.12-4.17 g/100 g and pH 4.89-5.11 ± 0.02. Proteolysis was similar to that of other Iberian raw milk cheeses, but the free fatty acid content was generally higher. Lactococci were the predominant bacteria. Coagulase-positive staphylococci constituted the most severe hygiene problem. Positive correlations were found between maturation time and TS, titratable acidity, Aw, proteolysis indices and Enterobacteriaceae and coagulase-positive staphylococcus viable numbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of 0.02% gum tragacanth, sodium caseinate or milk protein concentrate ( MPC70) on the physiochemical, microstructural and textural properties of Lighvan cheese produced from bovine milk was investigated. The microstructure of cheese samples was studied by scanning electron microscopy ( SEM), and the SEM micrographs were analysed using 3 D images, surface plots and binarised SEM images. The texture parameters of bovine Lighvan cheese containing sodium caseinate were similar to those of ovine Lighvan cheese, and the microstructure of the MPC-containing bovine Lighvan cheese was closest to that of ovine Lighvan cheese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, four different fresh Kashar cheese samples were ripened for 90 days. The physicochemical properties, texture attributes, fatty acid composition and volatile compound profiles of the samples were measured every 30 days of ripening. The texture properties of the cheese samples were significantly affected by the duration of the ripening period. The results of this study highlighted that texture parameters as a function of ripening period should be considered for both fresh and aged Kashar cheeses to determine the ripening period as they are very important for consumer acceptability and consumption of the end product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixty samples of milk, Halloumi cheese and local grazing plants (i.e. shrubs) were collected over a year from dairy farms located on three different locations of Cyprus. Major and trace elements were quantified using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy ( ICP- AES). Milk and Halloumi cheese produced in different geographical locations presented significant differences in the concentration of some of the elements analysed. Principal component analysis showed grouping of samples according to the region of production for both milk and cheese samples. These findings show that the assay of elements can provide useful fingerprints for the characterisation of dairy products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

São João cheeses with varying curd dry salting treatments were made with decreasing levels of salt (sodium chloride): 4 (control), 3, 2 and 1% (w/w), along with the salt-free version. The cheeses were ripened at 11 ° C over a 40-day period, and the effect of lowering salt on the physicochemical, microbiological and sensory properties of the cheese was studied. Reduced salt resulted in a concomitant moisture decrease with protein increase, ash and sodium reduction among experimental cheeses at the same ripening day, but there were no significant differences in p H, acidity and fat, or in the microbiological quality. Triangle tests indicated perceptible differences between test and control cheeses at the level of 2% Na Cl (w/w) or less, but not with the cheese salted with 3 g Na Cl/100 g. Considering the sensory, the physicochemical and the microbiological results, the cheese formulated at 3% Na Cl (w/w) (presenting a reduction of 25% in salt) is feasible on an industrial scale, being indistinguishable by the regular consumer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of rennet and container types was evaluated on proteolysis of traditional Kurdish cheese during 60 days ripening. The enzymes involved were commercial chymosin and traditional rennet from lamb abomasum. Goat skin (traditional container) and plastic containers were used as storage containers. The trend of proteolysis was determined by measuring the content of nitrogen ( N) in compounds soluble in water, 12% trichloroacetic acid and 5% phosphotungstic acid along with the urea-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis method. The results showed that the nitrogen in compounds soluble in water, 12% trichloroacetic acid and 5% phosphotungstic acid was higher in ripened cheeses into plastic containers; however, the containers had no significant effect on the breakdown of α- and β-caseins ( P < 0.05). Using commercial rennet caused the breakdown of α- and β-caseins and the level of nitrogen in compounds soluble in water to increase. Finally, however, the amount of α- and β-caseins breakdown was trivial, and α-casein was decreased more than β-casein in all samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reduced-fat fresh cow's milk cheese with inulin (3%) was compared with both full-fat and reduced-fat cheeses without the prebiotic. The p H and microbiological quality of cheeses were not affected by the presence of inulin. Cheeses produced with inulin were less hard, springy, cohesive and chewy than reduced-fat cheeses, and more similar to cheeses made from whole milk. Cheeses produced with inulin had the lowest lightness and the highest yellowness values, although these colour differences were not detected by the panellists. The sensory panel described the reduced-fat cheese with inulin as more acceptable than its counterpart without inulin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of calcium lactate (CL) on both the sensory and microbiological quality of Fiordilatte cheese was evaluated. The novelty of this work is the addition of the salt to the product brine, prior to packaging, instead of adding calcium during process. Cheese quality was monitored for 8 days by evaluating the spoilage and the development of the main sensory attributes. Results demonstrated a modest inhibition effect of CL on the microbial proliferation, whereas from a sensory point of view, a somewhat improvement in the odour and texture was recorded, thus suggesting CL as a valid alternative to calcium chloride. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seventeen Leuconostoc mesenteroides and 33 Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei from tradi-tional Pecorino di Filiano cheese were tested for their potential use as adjunct starters, and a study of their genetic variability was carried out. Forty one per cent (41%) of Leu. mesenteroides and 46% of Lb. paracasei subsp. paracasei showed medium-high proteolytic activity, while high lipolytic activity was detected in 18% of Lb. paracasei subsp. paracasei. The aminopeptidase activity of Lb. paracasei subsp. paracasei was higher than that of Leu. mesenteroides. Strain diversity by RAPD analysis showed a high degree of heterogeneity. This study identified strains with unusual properties that could be good candidates as adjuncts in a starter to manufacture PF cheese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 dur-ing 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 nonessen-tial 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty-three samples of cheeses belonging to different Protected Designation of Origin (PDOs) located in Northern Spain were analysed with the aim of studying the influence of processing conditions on the minerals and trace elements content in cheeses. The use of sheep milk, animal rennet, salting by immersion in a brine bath and ripening in cheeses reported, in general, the highest levels of trace elements. Moreover, pattern recognition analysis of multi-elemental data, based on mineral and trace element content, was used to determine geographical traceability and to detect possible imitations with a correct classification in 98.5% of cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]