Abstract
One of the traditional fresh cheeses in Ecuador is the artisanal leafcheese, a kind of stretched-curd cheese. The artisanal product is wrapped in achira leaves (Canna indica), while the industrial leafcheese is packed at vacuum in high density polyethylene bags. In this study the microbiological quality of both products was compared. The hygienic-sanitary microbial indicators and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were quantified. The LAB isolated were characterized phenotypically. The samples were obtained from artisanal cheese-making and industrial located in Latacunga city province Cotopaxi. The total aerobic mesophilic count was made based on national regulations (NTE INEN 1529 5); total coliforms, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated using petrifilm methods (AOAC 991.14 – AOAC 2003.07) and to LAB was used PRT-712.02-047. The results show high quantities of total coliforms, E. coli and S. aureus in both products, these data exceed the limits of acceptability established in Ecuadorian regulations, this evidence poor hygienic quality of the processes or incorrect controls of milk as raw material. The lactic acid bacteria count showed statistically significant differences, the industrial cheeses had a reduction of 18,15% of Lactobacillus and 14,27% of Lactococcus compared with artisanal cheeses. A total of 32 strains of lactic acid bacteria were isolated, these showed similar phenotypic characteristics, but these had a different response at the level of pH (4,4;9,4) and NaCl (6,5%). The sensory evaluation will be an important complement in this type of study.
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