Search

Summary: Hybrid foods are made by blending animal‐based and plant‐based ingredients to make food products that are similar to the 100% animal‐based ones. Examples include hybrid meat products such as burgers or minced meat with vegetables or more recently hybrid dairy products such as cheddar cheese with oats. While hybrid meat products have been launched in several countries by both retailers and foodservice outlets, there are very few examples of hybrid meat products still available in the market, such as hybrid nuggets targeting children and hybrid minced meat products. This short viewpoint article covers some of the possible reasons this might be happening, presents examples of successful hybrid food products, discusses the importance of sustainability claims and the potential of hybrid meals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food & Fermentation Industries is the property of Food & Fermentation Industries and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Processed cheese food (PCF) is a dairy product prepared by blending dairy ingredients with nondairy ingredients and heating the blend with agitation to produce a homogeneous product with an extended shelf life. Emulsifying salts (ES), such as disodium phosphate (DSP) and trisodium citrate, have a critical effect on the emulsification characteristics of casein by sequestering the calcium from the calcium-paracaseinate phosphate complex in natural cheese. Lactose-6-phosphate (LP) is an organic compound produced from lactose that has the potential to function as ES. Lactose-6-phosphate is not approved for use as a substitute for ES in the large-scale production of PC. The objective of this study was to produce PCF with LP instead of DSP. Lactose-6-phosphate was prepared by mixing 1 mol of α-lactose with 0.5 mol of sodium cyclo-triphosphate. The pH of recombined solutions was adjusted using sodium hydroxide to get a pH of 12 to obtain 60.74% LP. The solution was stirred for 3 d at room temperature and then concentrated to 52% total solids (TS). The ingredients in the PCF formulations were Cheddar cheese, butter, water, milk permeate powder, and LP (at a ratio of 2.0, 2.4, 2.8, 3.2, 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0%) were formulated to contain 17.0% protein, 25.0% fat, 44.0% moisture, and 2.0% salt. Processed cheese food made with 2.0% DSP was also produced as a control. The PCF was prepared by mixing all ingredients in a Kitchen Aid stand mixer to make a homogeneous paste. A 25-g sample of the mixture was cooked in the rapid visco analyzer (Perten RVA 4500, Macquarie Park, Australia) for 3 min at 95°C at 1,000 rpm for the first 2 min and 160 rpm for the last minute. The PCF was then transferred into molds and refrigerated till further analyses. The PCF was analyzed for moisture, pH, end apparent cooked viscosity, hardness, melted diameter, and melting temperature. The experiment was repeated 3 times using different batches of LP. The moisture of PCF ranged from 42.3% to 44.0% with a pH of 5.6 to 5.8. The end apparent cooked viscosity increased from 818.0 to 2,060.0 cP as the level of LP raised from 0.63% to 1.90%, whereas it was 660.0 cP in control. The hardness of PCF made with LP elevated from 61.9 to 110.1g as the level of LP increased; however, it was 85.6 g in control. The melted diameter decreased from 43 mm in control to 29 mm in 1.90% LP, while the melting temperature of PCF increased from 37.7°C in control to 59.0°C in 1.90% LP. We conclude that LP can be used as a substitute for DSP in PCF manufacture and has more capacity than DSP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing number of food frauds, mainly targeting high quality products, is a rising concern among producers and authorities appointed to food controls. Therefore, the development or implementation of methods to reveal frauds is desired. The genetic traceability of traditional or high-quality dairy products (i.e., products of protected designation of origin, PDO) represents a challenging issue due to the technical problems that arise. The aim of the study was to set up a genetic tool for the origin traceability of dairy products. We investigated the use of Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) to assign milk and cheese to the corresponding producer. Two farms were included in the study, and the blood of the cows, bulk milk, and derived cheese were sampled monthly for one year. Twenty STRs were selected and Polymerase Chain Reactions for each locus were carried out. The results showed that bulk milk and derived cheese express an STR profile composed of a subset of STRs of the lactating animals. A bioinformatics tool was used for the exclusion analysis. The study allowed the identification of a panel of 20 markers useful for the traceability of milk and cheeses, and its effectiveness in the traceability of dairy products obtained from small producers was demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Sciences is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A study was conducted to compare the bio‐functional properties between Cheddar cheese made from milk of indigenous (IMCC) and crossbred cows (CMCC). The IMCC and CMCC were prepared and analyzed for proximate composition (moisture, protein, fat, salt, ash and lactose) was found to be higher in IMCC than CMCC and bio functional properties like Angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition, antioxidant activity by 2,2‐diphenyl 1, picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and Dipeptidyl‐peptidase IV (DPP‐IV) inhibition activities during ripening at 7 ± 2℃. The pattern of proteolysis was found to be higher in IMCC than CMCC confirmed quantitatively by soluble nitrogen content and qualitatively by urea‐PAGE (polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). Water‐soluble extract (WSE) of IMCC showed significantly higher (p <.05) ACE inhibition, DPPH scavenging, and DPP‐IV inhibition activities than the extracts of CMCC during 12 months of ripening. Cheddar cheese prepared from indigenous milk produces better bio‐functional properties compared to cheese prepared from crossbred milk. Practical applications: In recent years, bioactive peptides are a prospective alternative to pharmaceutical drugs as they are being explored in a variety of foods for better health promotion. Consumption of bioactive peptides, derived from developed functional Cheddar cheese can play an important role in the regulation of metabolic disorders. Cheese made from indigenous milk is believed to have greater health potential but no data on cheese prepared from indigenous (Deoni) milk are available. Therefore, it is a novel work as there are hardly any studies on the Cheddar cheese made from indigenous milk and even no studies on DPP‐IV inhibitory peptides, which were derived from Cheddar cheese to control the elevation of the blood glucose level. The outcome of the current study revealed that novel bio‐functional cheese peptides which exert better activity and functionality that give better health benefits to consumers were found to be high in cheese prepared from indigenous milk than crossbred milk. The findings of this study may provide scope to develop functional dairy products from indigenous milk with higher health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"The impacts of milking frequency on nutrient composition and functional characteristics of Cheddar cheese" is the Editor's Choice article for the August 2024 issue of the International Journal of Dairy Technology. The authors, based in Ireland, investigated the effects of once-a-day and twice-a-day milking strategies on Cheddar cheese properties within an Irish pasture-based system. They found that cheese derived from once-a-day milk was more yellow, had higher β-carotene content, and had a higher cheese yield. This research provides valuable insights for those considering milking frequency impacts on Cheddar cheese quality. [Extracted from the article]

Ultrafiltration and microfiltration are 2 types of membrane filtration commonly used by the dairy industry. Filtered milk products are becoming increasingly common, but there is concern that consumers unfamiliar with these processing methods may form negative uninformed perceptions of cheeses made with these milks. There are many studies that address the chemical and physical properties of cheeses made with filtered milk, but, to our knowledge, there are none that address consumer perception of these products. Similarly, ultrapasteurization is becoming more common for US dairy products. Although previous work has characterized consumer liking of ultrapasteurized milks, few have investigated understanding and perception of this process. The objective of this study was to explore consumer understanding of milk processing and constituents, particularly as it relates to milk used as an ingredient in cheese. To achieve this goal, we investigated the following 4 questions: (1) Does the average dairy product consumer understand the basic ingredients and nutrients in fluid milk and cultured dairy products? (2) Does the average dairy product consumer understand the basic processes for fluid milk and cultured dairy products? (3) Do different processes affect consumer perception or purchase intent? (4) Does explaining a process change consumer understanding of, beliefs about, and purchase intent for dairy products? Qualitative interviews (n = 54) and an online survey (n = 1,210) were conducted with dairy product consumers. Survey responses paralleled those from one-on-one interviews. The average dairy product consumer could recall key words related to dairy processing, composition, nutrients, and ingredients, but was largely unfamiliar with these subjects. Highly educated and older consumers were more likely to have a better understanding of dairy composition and nutrition, particularly lactose content of milk and Cheddar cheese and the source of fluid whey and whey protein. Processing-related descriptors (e.g., ultrapasteurized or ultrafiltered) in ingredient statements were likely to be overlooked on labels (especially for familiar products), as just 34% of dairy product consumers read the labels on dairy products often or always before purchase. The majority (>80%) of dairy product consumers were unfamiliar with ultrafiltered or microfiltered milk, but uninformed perceptions were generally positive. Consumers unfamiliar with processing methods were likely to assume those methods increase the price of a dairy product. For the majority of consumers, purchase intent for fluid milk and cultured dairy products was not affected when nonconventional processing terms such as ultrafiltered or microfiltered were included in the ingredients statement. This effect was consistent for fluid milk and Cheddar cheeses but not for cottage cheese, suggesting the possibility of product-specific effects. Providing respondents with a definition of filtration increased consumer understanding of, positive beliefs about, and purchase intent for fluid filtered milk and cheese made with filtered milk. Educating consumers through on-package labeling and other marketing messaging should be investigated for dairy products that incorporate processes such as ultrapasteurization or filtration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ripening is a crucial step to guarantee the high commercial value of cheddar cheese, one of the dairy products the European Union exports the most. Although several methods have lately been proposed to assess its ageing process from a chemical point of view, the majority of them is not particularly time-efficient and implies destructive analytical tests, thus, exhibiting limitations for, e. g., industrial applications. Here, a fast approach based on combining Raman and Mid-InfraRed (MIR) spectroscopy with ANOVA-Simultaneous Component Analysis (ASCA) is proposed in a low-level data fusion framework. This approach allowed to evaluate how storage temperature and time (as well as their interaction) influence cheddar ripening in a relatively cheap, rapid and green fashion. Image 1 • Raman and Mid-InfraRed (MIR) spectroscopic data fusion. • ANOVA-Simultaneous Component Analysis (ASCA) of low-level-fused data. • Study of storage temperature and ripening time influence on cheddar cheese ageing. • Proteo- and lypolisis phenomena highlighted in a rapid and non-destructive fashion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cheese is a fermented dairy product that is made from animal milk and is considered to be a healthy food due to its available nutrients and potential probiotic characteristics. Since the microbes in the cheese matrix directly contribute to the quality and physicochemical properties of cheese, it is important to understand the microbial properties of cheese. In this study, Cheddar cheeses produced on three different dates at the Arbuthnot Dairy Center at Oregon State University were collected to determine the microbial community structure. A total of 773,821 sequencing reads and 271 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were acquired from 108 samples. Streptococcus and Lactococcus were observed as the most abundant ASVs in the cheese, which were used as the starter lactic acid bacteria (SLAB). Escherichia coli was detected in the raw milk; however, it was not detected after inoculating with SLAB. According to an alpha diversity analysis, SLAB inoculation decreased the microbial richness by inhibiting the growth of other bacteria present in the milk. A beta diversity analysis showed that microbial communities before the addition of SLAB clustered together, as did the samples from cheese making and aging. Non-starter lactic acid bacteria (NSLAB) were detected 15 weeks into aging for the June 6th and June 26th produced cheeses, and 17 weeks into aging for the cheese produced on April 26th. These NSLAB were identified as an unidentified group of Lactobacillaceae. This study characterizes the changes in the Cheddar cheese microbiome over the course of production from raw milk to a 6-month-aged final product. Key points: • 271 ASVs were acquired from cheese production from raw milk to 6-month aging. • Addition of SLAB changed the microbial diversity during Cheddar cheese making procedure. • NSLAB were detected more than 15 weeks after aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cheese is a widely consumed product in American diets and an important economic driver of US dairy markets. Given the widespread interest in credence attributes of fluid dairy products, the lack of knowledge of demand for animal welfare, environmental, and other credence attributes in cheeses is surprising. Increasing attention surrounding dairy cattle welfare has been placed on the disbudding or dehorning of dairy cattle, in addition to the longer term debates surrounding pasture access and antibiotic use. This work estimates willingness to pay for these attributes of dairy cattle management systems for Cheddar cheese in a nationally representative sample of 749 US household members. Ninety percent of respondents indicated they or someone in their household consumed cheese in the last year. Higher proportions of respondents with children in the household purchased cheese of any kind. Respondents had positive willingness to pay for Cheddar cheese that had the following attributes: USDA-, retailer-, and industry-verified antibiotic use not permitted, required pasture access, and dehorning with pain relief as well as polled (when compared with dehorning without pain relief). As dairy producers face tighter margins and shifting consumer preferences, increasing attention on consumer preferences for cheese may aid in increasing profitability if demanded attributes can be profitability provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cheese is a dairy-product and obtained from milk by using starter cultures and enzymes to coagulate the milk through a chemical process. Cheese has one of the highest growth rates among dairy products manufactured in many countries. Cheese could be divided into two major categories based on the fat content, including full-fat cheese and reduced or low-fat cheese. The low-fat cheese term differs within cheese varieties, countries, and other factors. Generally, cheese with fat content less than the full-fat version is considered low-fat cheese for consumers. The consumption and marketing of low-fat cheeses have accelerated over the last two decades. Fat is important due to its major contribution to the flavor, body and texture of the cheese. Numerous low-fat cheeses are characterized as mild flavor, weak body and texture, and less functional characteristics. Intensive research on low-fat cheese has developed three basic strategies for addressing fat-related problems, such as modifications of procedures, adjunct cultures, and fat replacers. This work aim is to highlight and review the characteristics of two types of low-fat cheeses, such as low-fat process cheese (LFPC) and low-fat Cheddar cheese (LFCC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the flavor and taste attributes of full-fat Cheddar cheeses with different protein-to-fat ratios (PFR) over aging time using a descriptive sensory analysis panel and a consumer panel, and to correlate these attributes with instrumental parameters obtained by the potentiometric electronic tongue. Three Cheddar cheese formulations (PFR of 0.74, 0.85, and 1.01) were produced in triplicate and composition was verified. Cheese was aged at 7.2°C and evaluated at 2, 5, 8, 10, 11, and 12 mo by a trained panel (n = 10) for 8 flavor and 5 taste attributes and using an electronic tongue for 7 nonvolatile taste attributes. Cheese aged for 12 mo was also evaluated by a consumer sensory panel for liking and intensity attributes. Principal component analysis was performed to discriminate cheese based on aging time and PFR, whereas correlation between sensory and instrumental attributes was assessed using partial least squares regression. Descriptive sensory analysis of flavor and taste attributes differentiated Cheddar cheeses over aging time, but not among PFR formulations. The electronic tongue distinguished changes among cheese samples due to PFR formulation and aging time. The electronic tongue proved successful in characterizing the nonvolatile flavor components in Cheddar cheese and correlated with taste perceptions measured by descriptive sensory analysis. Consumer evaluations showed distinctive attribute profiles for the 3 PFR Cheddar cheese formulations. Overall, higher fat content was associated with increased flavor intensities in Cheddar cheese and drove consumer acceptability and purchase intent ratings. The electronic tongue detected smaller changes in tastes (bitter, metallic, salty, sour, spicy, sweet, and umami) of the 3 PFR formulations over time when compared with the trained panelists, who detected no differences, suggesting that the electronic tongue may be more sensitive to tastants than humans and may have the capability for early detection or identification of problems in a batch of cheese during aging. Results suggest taste quality of cheese may be monitored using the electronic tongue with greater sensitivity than a trained panel, and may be more objective, rapid, and cost effective than human panelists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Desorption isotherm of full sodium Cheddar cheese (FSCC) and low sodium Cheddar cheese (LSCC) was obtained at 5C and 10C using a static gravimetric method. Both cheeses desorption isotherms show Type II of the five general types of sorption isotherms due to the presence of casein as a major constituent and also due to the presence of salts. Desorption curves in both cases indicate that increase in temperature results in decrease in equilibrium moisture content. Several models were tested of which BET and GAB model were best fitted to the experimental data in the water activity range of 0.11-0.98. The porosity of FSCC and LSCC showed general increasing trend with increase in temperature and moisture content. Net isosteric heat of desorption was evaluated by Clausius-Clapeyron equations to provide an understanding of the properties of water and energy requirements associated with the desorption behavior. Practical Applications The results may be utilized for predicting water activity values of low sodium Cheddar cheese (LSCC) at different temperature and moisture content. Properties calculated viz., equilibrium moisture content, monolayer moisture content, and many others may find application in representing the state of water present in LSCC at different temperatures for revealing physico-chemical and microbiological changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Al-Anbar Journal of Veterinary Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A specific, reliable, and fast PCR method to detect Paucilactobacillus wasatchensis , a heterofermentative lactic acid spoilage bacterium, in dairy products, food contact surfaces, and environmental samples from the farm to the processing plant was developed. A primer set was designed specifically targeting the GNAT family N-acetyltransferase (NAT) gene of Plb. wasatchensis. The PCR method developed was specific for Plb. wasatchensis with a detection limit of 2 log cfu mL−1 with ten-fold concentrated milk sample. The method was further validated through tracing the potential source of Plb. wasatchensis from the dairy farm to the cheese processing plant, and the final product; Plb. wasatchensis was detected in the silage, raw silo, defective Cheddar cheese products, raw milk, as well as food contact surfaces after enrichment. This method provides a quick, simple, reliable way to detect Plb. wasatchensis in source materials, dairy farm, production lines, and final aged hard cheese products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of different strategies for feeding supplements to grazing dairy cows on the composition and coagulation properties of milk and the subsequent yield and quality of Cheddar cheese were measured. The experiment used milk from 72 Holstein-Friesian cows, averaging 45 d in milk, fed according to 1 of 3 feeding strategies: (1) cows grazed a restricted allowance of perennial ryegrass pasture [approximately 14 kg of dry matter (DM)/cow per day, to ground level] supplemented with milled wheat grain fed in the milking parlor and alfalfa hay offered in the paddock (control); (2) same pasture and allowance as control, supplemented with a formulated grain mix containing wheat grain, corn grain, and canola meal fed in the parlor and alfalfa hay fed in the paddock (FGM); or (3) same pasture and allowance as control, supplemented with a partial mixed ration comprising the same formulated grain mix but mixed with alfalfa hay and presented on a feed pad after each milking (PMR). For all strategies, supplements provided the same metabolizable energy and grain:forage ratio (78:22, DM basis). Within each feeding strategy, milk was sampled from cows receiving either 8 or 16 kg (DM) of supplement/cow per day. There were 2 replicated groups of 6 cows per supplement amount per dietary strategy; approximately 250 L of milk was sampled from each for analyses of composition and coagulation properties and the manufacture of Cheddar cheese. The experiment had a 14-d adaptation period and a 14-d measurement period. For cows fed according to the control strategy, those fed 16 kg/cow per day produced milk with lower concentrations of milk fat than cows fed 8 kg/cow per day. This effect was not observed for cows fed according to the FGM and PMR strategies. Milk from cows fed 16 kg of DM/cow per day according to the control strategy yielded less Cheddar cheese than milk from cows fed according to the PMR strategy, with cheese yields from FGM cows being intermediate. Amount of supplement offered had minor effects on percentages of some fatty acids. We observed few other effects of feeding strategy on milk composition, types of milk protein, milk coagulation properties, or the composition and quality of the resultant Cheddar cheese. These data show that, compared with the traditional control strategy, feeding PMR or FGM may increase milk fat concentration and the subsequent yield of Cheddar cheese without compromising cheese composition or quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• US and Irish consumers completed an online Front-of-Pack cheese label survey. • Consumers rated expected characteristics and took part in a portion selection task. • Inclusion of Grass-Fed on label did not influence sensory expectations of cheese. • Grass-fed on label increased perceived healthiness and naturalness of cheese. • A Lighter Fat claim negatively affected sensory expectations. Consumer interest in Grass-Fed dairy products is increasing with some consumer groups willing to pay a premium for dairy labelled as Grass-Fed. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the term Grass-Fed on a label in combination with claims on fat content, on consumer perceptions of Cheddar cheese in Irish and US participants. Consumers from Ireland (n = 345) and the United States (n = 432) completed an anonymous online survey and were presented with one of two sets of cheese label images, either Regular-Fat and Regular-Fat-Grass-Fed or Lighter-Fat and Lighter-Fat-Grass-Fed. Participants were asked to rate expected sensory characteristics and perceived healthiness and naturalness, based on each label. Participants then selected a portion of each cheese that they would be likely to consume on a slice of toast for lunch, from 100 portion size images ranging from 1.2 g to 120 g. Inclusion of a Grass-Fed claim on a cheese label did not influence sensory expectations of cheese, but perceived healthiness and naturalness were higher, in both cohorts. The Lighter-Fat claim had a negative influence on sensory expectations, with consumers in both cohorts reporting a lower expected liking and flavour intensity. In the Irish cohort, a Lighter-Fat claim enhanced perceived healthiness. The front-of-pack claim had no impact on portion selection in US consumers. Irish consumers, however, chose a larger portion for the Lighter-Fat cheese compared to the Regular-Fat-Grass-Fed cheese. Inclusion of Grass-Fed on the label alongside information on Regular-Fat or Lighter-Fat may enhance consumers' perceptions of healthiness and naturalness, without compromising sensory expectations. Products with Lighter labels may be chosen in larger portions, with potential implications for consumers who choose them as part of a weight-control strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of milk source on physico-chemical properties of cheddar cheese was studied. Cheddar cheese samples were prepared from milk of buffalo, cow and their combinations in 75:25, 50:50 and 25:75 ratios. These samples were analyzed for moisture, ash, fat, protein, lactose, total solids, solid non-fat, energy contents, pH, titrable acidity and sensory characteristics. The results showed higher moisture content 42.96% in cow milk cheese than 41.65% in buffalo milk cheese and 41.20% in cheese made from 50:50 combination of milk. However, it was comparable to 25:75 and 75:25 combinations. The ash 3.936-4.000% and protein contents 23.39-23.55% were more or less the same for all cheese samples, except 25.44% protein content of 50:50 combination of milk. The buffalo milk cheese had the highest fat content of 30.18%. The pH decreased from 6.05 to 5.62 and titratable acidity increased from 0.018 to 0.056% for all cheese samples during three-days. Analysis of all cheese samples, particularly those with higher content of buffalo milk showed good sensory characteristics. Thus, buffalo milk and different combinations of buffalo and cow milk could be preferred over cow milk alone for making good quality cheddar cheese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food service and retail sectors offer consumers a variety of mixed ingredient salads that contain fresh-cut vegetables and other ingredients such as fruits, nuts, cereals, dairy products, cooked seafood, cooked meat, cured meats, or dairy products obtained from external suppliers. Little is known about the behavior of enteric bacterial pathogens in mixed ingredient salads. A model system was developed to examine the fate of Salmonella enterica (inoculum consisting of S. enterica serovars Agona, Typhimurium, Enteritidis, Brandenberg, and Kentucky) on the surface of romaine lettuce tissues incubated alone and in direct contact with Cheddar cheese or cooked chicken. S. enterica survived but did not grow on lettuce tissues incubated alone or in contact with Cheddar cheese for 6 days at either 6 or 14°C. In contrast, populations increased from 2.01 ± 0.22 to 9.26 ± 0.22 CFU/cm² when lettuce washed in water was incubated in contact with cooked chicken at 14°C. Populations on lettuce leaves were reduced to 1.28 ± 0.14 CFU/cm² by washing with a chlorine solution (70 ppm of free chlorine) but increased to 8.45 ± 0.22 CFU/cm² after 6 days at 14°C. Experimentation with a commercial product in which one third of the fesh-cut romaine lettuce was replaced with inoculated lettuce revealed that S. enterica populations increased by 4 log CFU/g during storage for 3 days at 14°C. These findings indicate that rapid growth of bacterial enteric pathogens may occur in mixed ingredient salads; therefore, strict temperature control during the manufacture, distribution, handling, and storage of these products is critical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This section presents abstracts of articles published within the issue including "Surface Roughness and Packaging Tightness Affect Calcium Lactate Crystallization on Cheddar Cheese," "Fatty Acid and Sensory Profiles of Caciocavallo Cheese as Affected by Management System," and "Effect and Key Factors of Byproducts Valorization: The Case of the Dairy Industry."

Abstract: The effect of two adjunct Lactobacillus casei strains on the lactobacilli population of low-fat Cheddar cheese is described. The adjuncts, added at a low initial number, differed in their ability to utilise components of the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM); these were controlled by addition of butter milk powder or skim milk powder. The most diverse microbial composition was revealed at the start of cheese ripening and became more uniform in the later stages. The microorganisms present at the start influenced the lactobacilli population during ripening, but the adjuncts did not dominate the microflora in the cheese. A higher content of MFGM components in the cheese seemed to influence the lactobacilli population and the composition of free amino acids during ripening. The low initial numbers of lactobacilli resulted in comparatively large distances of separation between these cells in fresh cheese; electron micrographs of ripened cheese showed large clusters of clearly elongated lactobacilli. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Fat replacers can be used to improve the sensory and functional properties of reduced-fat cheeses. The effect of gum tragacanth (GT) on the rheological, functional and sensory properties of half-fat and full-fat Cheddar cheese during ripening was investigated. Four Cheddar-style cheeses were made in triplicate: full-fat control (FFC), half-fat control (HFC), full fat + GT (FFGum) and half fat + GT (HFGum). Cheesemilk for the latter two cheeses was supplemented with GT at a level of 0.05% ( w/ v); all cheeses were ripened at 8 °C for 10 months. Moisture and moisture-to-protein ratio were increased by GT addition. GT addition resulted in decreased pH in both FFGum and HFGum cheeses during ripening, especially the FFGum cheese. GT appeared to affect proteolysis only in the FF cheeses. GT was successful in decreasing hardness and springiness values during ripening. GT increased meltability in the FFGum cheese and to a lesser extent in the HFGum cheese in late ripening. An increase in opaqueness was also observed due to GT addition regardless of fat level. Dynamic small amplitude oscillatory rheology showed a depression in LT and an increase in G′ at 75 °C caused by GT at 7 months of ripening. GT did not appear to have any impact on starter bacteria and NSLAB counts. Results from a consumer ranking preference test showed that the GT was not successful in fully mimicking the sensory properties of the FFC cheese. These results suggest that GT appears more suited to enhancing the textural and functional properties of half-fat Cheddar cheese than its sensory properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the capacity of optical oxygen sensors to nondestructively detect containment packaging failures in commercial vacuum packed cheddar cheese. Unacceptable oxygen levels in packs lead to product deterioration and can significantly reduce shelf life. Vacuum packed cheddar cheese was monitored for oxygen levels over time at 4 °C with optical sensors prefitted to packaging laminates polyethyleneterephthalate/polypropylene. Oxygen levels present in packs immediately after packaging were 3% on average. Further ingress of oxygen into all packs occurred over storage time and levels ranged from 3.6% to 8.2% after 6 days. Information obtained using oxygen sensors led to further assessments and identification of the causes of packaging containment failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Annatto is a yellow/orange colorant that is widely used in the food industry, particularly in the dairy industry. Annatto, consisting of the carotenoids bixin and norbixin, is most commonly added to produce orange cheese, such as Cheddar, to achieve a consistent color over seasonal changes. This colorant is not all retained in the cheese, and thus a percentage remains in the whey, which is highly undesirable. As a result, whey is often bleached. Hydrogen peroxide and benzoyl peroxide are the 2 bleaching agents currently approved for bleaching whey in the United States. Recent studies have highlighted the negative effect of bleaching on whey flavor while concurrently there is a dearth of current studies on bleaching conditions and efficacy. Recent international mandates have placed additional concern on the use of benzoyl peroxide as a bleaching agent. This review discusses the advantages, disadvantages, regulatory concerns, flavor implications, and optimal usage conditions of 2 widely used bleaching agents, hydrogen peroxide and benzoyl peroxide, as well as a few alternative methods including lipoxygenase, peroxidase, and lactoperoxidase systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing use and demand for whey protein as an ingredient requires a bland-tasting, neutral-colored final product. The bleaching of colored Cheddar whey is necessary to achieve this goal. Currently, hydrogen peroxide (HP) and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) are utilized for bleaching liquid whey before spray drying. There is no current information on the effect of the bleaching process on the flavor of spray-dried whey protein concentrate (WPC). The objective of this study was to characterize the effect of bleaching on the flavor of liquid and spray-dried Cheddar whey. Cheddar cheeses colored with water-soluble annatto were manufactured in duplicate. Four bleaching treatments (HP, 250 and 500 mg/kg and BPO, 10 and 20 mg/kg) were applied to liquid whey for 1.5 h at 60°C followed by cooling to 5°C. A control whey with no bleach was also evaluated. Flavor of the liquid wheys was evaluated by sensory and instrumental volatile analysis. One HP treatment and one BPO treatment were subsequently selected and incorporated into liquid whey along with an unbleached control that was processed into spray-dried WPC. These trials were conducted in triplicate. The WPC were evaluated by sensory and instrumental analyses as well as color and proximate analyses. The HP-bleached liquid whey and WPC contained higher concentrations of oxidation reaction products, including the compounds heptanal, hexanal, octanal, and nonanal, compared with unbleached or BPO-bleached liquid whey or WPC. The HP products were higher in overall oxidation products compared with BPO samples. The HP liquid whey and WPC were higher in fatty and cardboard flavors compared with the control or BPO samples. Hunter CIE Lab color values (L*, a*, b*) of WPC powders were distinct on all 3 color scale parameters, with HP-bleached WPC having the highest L* values. Hydrogen peroxide resulted in a whiter WPC and higher off-flavor intensities; however, there was no difference in norbixin recovery between HP and BPO. These results indicate that the bleaching of liquid whey may affect the flavor of WPC and that the type of bleaching agent used may affect WPC flavor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of addition of trisodium citrate (TSC) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) on the textural and rheological properties of Cheddar-style cheese was investigated. Cheese curds were salted (2.5%) with NaCl (control) or NaCl supplemented with either TSC or CaCl2 with a constant ionic strength. Casein-bound calcium phosphate decreased upon addition of TSC and increased upon addition of CaCl2. Addition of CaCl2 resulted in increased hardness. Addition of TSC resulted in reduced hardness but more elastic cheeses at high temperatures. The addition of TSC or CaCl2 at salting had a significant effect on cheese rheology and texture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Dairy Science & Technology (EDP Sciences) is the property of EDP Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In a previous study, ultrafiltration (UF) at 1?2?reduced residual chymosin activity and bitterness in exopolysaccharide (EPS)-positive reduced fat Cheddar cheese. The objective of this research was to study the effect of this level of concentration on the textural and functional characteristics of the reduced fat cheese. Ultrafiltration (1?2?) did not affect the hardness, cohesiveness, adhesiveness, chewiness, and gumminess of EPS-positive cheese. The 6-month old UF cheeses were springier than non-UF cheeses. However, the springiness of the EPS-positive cheese made from UF milk was much lower than that of the EPS-negative cheeses. Texture of the EPS-negative cheese was more affected by UF than that of the EPS-positive cheese. Differences were seen in the extent of flow between UF and non-UF cheeses at 1 and 3-months but not after 6 months ripening. Ultrafiltration increased the elastic modulus in the 6-month old EPS-positive cheeses. Higher body and texture scores were given to EPS-positive cheeses than the EPS-negative ones. Sensory panelists found the body of the UF and non-UF cheeses to be similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: As the protein composition of Cheddar cheese varies substantially from that of milk, it is important to investigate whether the standard dairy nitrogen conversion factor (NCF), 6.38, accurately reflects the protein content of Cheddar cheese. Forty-eight Cheddar cheeses of a wide range of composition were manufactured. Amino acid compositions of measured casein subtypes, peptides and amino acids in the cheeses were used to calculate a nitrogen conversion factor for each cheese. Average NCF values were calculated as 6.394±0.004, for the full dataset, which is slightly higher than the standard dairy nitrogen conversion factor of 6.38. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The microbiological quality of shredded Cheddar cheese packaged in different modified atmospheres with and without oxygen scavengers included in the packaging film was studied with the aim of determining how modified air packaging would affect the mould species present on shredded Cheddar cheese. The film with oxygen scavengers was more effective than the control film against mould growth, whereas the 73% CO2/27% N2 atmosphere resulted in the cheese with the best microbiological qualities. The three modified atmospheres and the packaging film influenced the mycoflora of shredded Cheddar cheese as the mould species isolated initially differed, from those isolated at 16 weeks in the six treatments. This study demonstrated that O2 scavengers were effective in controlling the growth of moulds on shredded Cheddar cheese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Probiotics are a community of nutraceuticals. Their potential in functional foods serves to promote health or to prevent diseases. Ramping up of flavor profile is an ongoing trend in modern dairy, so designer products are at the forefront towards desired health, wellness and sensorial enjoyment of everyday life. In the present work, volatile compounds of a potentially beneficial culture, Leuconostoc paramesenteroides, isolated from cheddar cheese were studied for 21 days. Culture grown in MRS broth was taken out periodically and was extracted in dichloromethane in order to study the formation of volatile compounds over time. The results showed the presence of a large number of short chain fatty acids, namely pentadecanoic acid (12.21 mg %), known to have antiarthritic property; nonadecanoic acid (13.99 mg %), which has anti-inflammatory action; benzoic acid, used as antiseptic (1.26 mg %), which showed a maximum yield after 16 h of incubation at 37 °C in MRS broth; nonacosane, having antibacterial activity (50.62 mg %); hexacosane, known for hair pigmentation (34.4 mg %); and nonacosanol, known to reduce cholesterol (8.62 mg %), which was found to be maximum after 7 days of incubation. All these compounds are known to be therapeutically important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of free fatty acids (FFA) was monitored over 168 d of ripening in Cheddar cheeses manufactured from good quality raw milk (RM), thermized milk (TM; 65°C × 15 s), and pasteurized milk (PM; 72°C × 15 s). Heat treatment of the milk reduced the level and diversity of raw milk microflora and extensively or wholly inactivated lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity. Indigenous milk enzymes or proteases from RM microflora influenced secondary proteolysis in TM and RM cheeses. Differences in FFA in the RM, TM, and PM influenced the levels of FFA in the subsequent cheeses at 1 d, despite significant losses of FFA to the whey during manufacture. Starter esterases appear to be the main contributors of lipolysis in all cheeses, with LPL contributing during production and ripening in RM and, to a lesser extent, in TM cheeses. Indigenous milk microflora and nonstarter lactic acid bacteria appear to have a minor contribution to lipolysis particularly in PM cheeses. Lipolytic activity of starter esterases, LPL, and indigenous raw milk microflora appeared to be limited by substrate accessibility or environmental conditions over ripening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of calcium lactate crystals (CLC) in hard cheeses is a continual expense to the cheese industry, as consumers fail to purchase cheeses with this quality defect. This research investigates the effects of the protein concentration of cheese milk and the pH of cheese on the occurrence of CLC. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used to determine total and soluble calcium concentrations in skim milk (SM1, 8.7% total solids), and skim milk supplemented with nonfat dry milk (CSM1, 13.5% total solids). Calcium, phosphorus, lactic acid, and citrate were determined in cheeses made with skim milk (SM2, 3.14% protein), skim milk supplemented with ultrafiltered milk (CSM2, 6.80% protein), and nonfat dry milk (CSM3, 6.80% protein). Supplementation with nonfat dry milk increased the initial total calcium in CSM1 (210 mg/100 g of milk) by 52%, compared with the total calcium in SM1 (138 mg/ 100 g of milk). At pH 5.4, soluble calcium concentrations in CSM1 were 68% greater than soluble calcium in SM1. In cheeses made from CSM2 and CSM3, total calcium was 26% greater than in cheeses made from SM2. As the pH of cheeses made from SM2 decreased from 5.4 to 5.1, the concentration of soluble calcium increased by 61.6%. In cheeses made from CSM2 and CSM3, the concentrations of soluble calcium increased by 41.4 and 45.5%, respectively. Calcium lactate crystals were observed in cheeses made from SM2 at and below pH 5.1, whereas CLC were observed in cheeses from CSM2 and CSM3 at and below pH 5.3. The increased presence of soluble calcium can potentially cause CLC to occur in cheese manufactured with increased concentrations of milk solids, particularly at and below pH 5.1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Three batches of Cheddar cheeses (Batch 1, with only starter lactococci; Batch 2, with lactococci and Lactobacillus acidophilus 4962, Lb. casei 279, Bifidobacterium longum 1941; Batch 3, with lactococci and Lb. acidophilus LAFTI® L10, Lb. paracasei LAFTI® L26, B. lactis LAFTI®B94) were manufactured in triplicate to study the survival and influence of probiotic bacteria on proteolytic patterns and production of organic acid during ripening period of 6 months at 4°C. All probiotic adjuncts survived manufacturing process and maintained their viability of >7.5log10 cfug−1 at the end of ripening. The number of lactococci decreased by one to two log cycles, but their counts were not significantly different in control and probiotic cheeses. No significant differences were observed in composition (fat, protein, moisture, salt content), but acetic acid concentration was higher in probiotic cheeses. Assessment of proteolysis during ripening showed no significant differences in the level of water-soluble nitrogen (primary proteolysis), but the levels of secondary proteolysis indicated by the concentration of free amino acids were significantly higher in probiotic cheeses. SDS-PAGE results on hydrolysis of α s-CN after 6 months were consistently higher in probiotic cheeses (19.28%, 46.99% and 63.42% in Batch 1, Batch 2 and Batch 3, respectively). Proteolytic activity, however, remained relatively low for all cheeses due to the low temperature of ripening (4°C). Results demonstrated that Cheddar cheeses can be an effective vehicle for delivery of probiotic organisms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Edible gums were evaluated for folic acid encapsulation efficiency as single and mixed polymers. Alginate and pectin yielded the highest encapsulation efficiencies, 216 and 196μg/100g, respectively. Upon being combined and the encapsulation conditions optimized, the alginate–pectin (alg–pect) mixture resulted in 360μg/100g of folic acid being encapsulated. The alg–pect capsules were tested for their stability in a milk system where pH was adjusted from 6.7 to 4.5 over a 4h period. Folic acid retention under the test conditions was retained at 360μg/100g within the alg–pect capsules indicating their ability to remain intact in a milk system. Stress tolerance of the capsules was tested under simulated cheese press pressures for 4h until a force of 0.814N/cm2 was detected. Folic acid retention of up to 288μg/100g was recorded for the alg–pect capsules. Three stages in Cheddar cheese manufacturing namely; addition of capsules in the milk, incorporation of capsules after milling the curd and injection into the pressed block of raw cheese, were studied for capsules distribution. The former had the most even distribution of capsules while the latter two had poor and irregular distribution. Encapsulated folic acid showed more stability (360μg/100g) than the free folic acid (109μg/100g) in Cheddar cheese during the 3 months ripening period. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two sets of Cheddar cheese were made in which the milk protein level (%, wt/wt) was increased from 3.3 (Control A, CA) to 3.6 (set A) or from 3.3 (control B, CB) to 4.0 (set B) by the addition of phosphocasein (PC), milk protein concentrate (MPC), or freshly prepared ultrafiltered milk retentate (UFR). The cheeses were denoted CA, PCA, MPCA, and UFRA from set A, and CB, PCB, MPCB, and UFRB, from set B, respectively. The level of cheese moisture decreased significantly on increasing milk protein level from 3.3 to 3.6 or 4.0% (wt/wt), but was not affected significantly by the method of protein standardization. The percentage milk fat recovered to cheese increased significantly on increasing the level of milk protein from 3.3 to 3.6% (wt/wt/with PC, and from 3.3 to 4.0% (wt/wt) with PC, MPC, and UFR. Increasing milk protein level from 3.3 to 4.0% (wt/wt) with PC significantly increased the percentage of milk protein recovered to cheese. Actual cheese yield increased significantly with milk protein level. The yield of cheese per 100 kg of milk normalized to reference levels of fat (3.4%, wt/wt) and casein (2.53%, wt/ wt) indicated no significant effects of protein content or standardization treatment on yield. However, the moisture-adjusted yield per 100 kg of milk with reference levels of fat and casein increased significantly on increasing the protein content from 3.3 to 3.6% (wt/wt) with MPC and from 3.3 to 4.0% (wt/wt) with PC, MPC, and UFR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cheddar cheese ripening involves the conversion of lactose to glucose and galactose or galactose-6-phosphate by starter and nonstarter lactic acid bacteria. Under ideal conditions (i.e., where bacteria grow under no stress of pH, water activity, and salt), these sugars are mainly converted to lactic acid. However, during ripening of cheese, survival and growth of bacteria occurs under the stressed condition of low pH, low water activity, and high salt content. This forces bacteria to use alternate biochemical pathways resulting in production of other organic acids. The objective of this study was to determine if the level and type of organic acids produced during ripening was influenced by calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P), residual lactose, and salt-to-moisture ratio (S/M) of cheese. Eight cheeses with 2 levels of Ca and P (0.67 and 0.47% vs. 0.53 and 0.39%, respectively), lactose at pressing (2.4 vs. 0.78%), and S/M (6.4 vs. 4.8%) were manufactured. The cheeses were analyzed for organic acids (citric, orotic, pyruvic, lactic, formic, uric, acetic, propanoic, and butyric acids) and residual sugars (lactose, galactose) during 48 wk of ripening using an HPLC-based method. Different factors influenced changes in concentration of residual sugars and organic acids during ripening and are discussed in detail. Our results indicated that the largest decrease in lactose and the largest increase in lactic acid occurred between salting and d 1 of ripening. It was interesting to observe that although the lactose content in cheese was influenced by several factors (Ca and P, residual lactose, and S/M), the concentration of lactic acid was influenced only by S/M. More lactic acid was produced in low S/M treatments compared with high S/M treatments. Although surprising for Cheddar cheese, a substantial amount (0.2 to 0.4%) of galactose was observed throughout ripening in all treatments. Minor changes in the levels of citric, uric, butyric, and propanoic acids were observed during early ripening, whereas during later ripening, a substantial increase was observed. A gradual decrease in orotic acid and a gradual increase in pyruvic acid content of the cheeses were observed during 12 mo of ripening. In contrast, acetic acid did not show a particular trend, indicating its role as an intermediate in a biochemical pathway, rather than a final product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of capsular and ropy exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing strains of Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris on textural and microstructural attributes during ripening of 50%-reduced-fat Cheddar cheese. Cheeses were manufactured with added capsule- or ropy-forming strains individually or in combination. For comparison, reduced-fat cheese with or without lecithin added at 0.2% (wt/ vol) to cheese milk and full-fat cheeses were made using EPS-nonproducing starter, and all cheeses were ripened at 7°C for 6 mo. Exopolysaccharide-producing strains increased cheese moisture retention by 3.6 to 4.8% and cheese yield by 0.28 to 1.19 kg/100 kg compared with control cheese, whereas lecithin-containing cheese retained 1.4% higher moisture and had 0.37 kg/ 100 kg higher yield over the control cheese. Texture profile analyses for 0-d-old cheeses revealed that cheeses with EPS-producing strains had less firm, springy, and cohesive texture but were more brittle than control cheeses. However, these effects became less pronounced after 6 mo of ripening. Using transmission electron microscopy, fresh and aged cheeses with added EPS-producing strains showed a less compact protein matrix through which larger whey pockets were dispersed compared with control cheese. The numerical analysis of transmission electron microscopy images showed that the area in the cheese matrix occupied by protein was smaller in cheeses with added EPS-producing strains than in control cheese. On the other hand, lecithin had little impact on both cheese texture and microstructure; after 6 mo, cheese containing lecithin showed a texture profile very close to that of control reduced-fat cheese. The protein-occupied area in the cheese matrix did not appear to be significantly affected by lecithin addition. Exopolysaccharide-producing strains could contribute to the modification of cheese texture and microstructure and thus modify the functional properties of reduced-fat Cheddar cheese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]