Abstract
Cheese has important nutritional properties as a result of their protein, lipid and essential minerals content. This study analyzed the bioavailability of Ca, Mg and Zn in Brazilian cheeses, using the in vitro INFOGEST digestion method coupled with assays in Caco-2 cells. Furosine content (marker of the early Maillard reaction) was also evaluated. Two self-produced fresh cheeses, cow and goat Minas frescal; and two commercial matured goat cheeses, Blue and Pyramid, were analyzed. Mineral bioaccessibility after in vitro digestion was in the range of 44.4–74.7 %, 54.8–66.1 % and 18.2–38.7 % for Ca, Mg and Zn, respectively. Bioaccessibilty was significantly affected by the mineral and fat content level. The digested fresh cheeses (Minas frescal) showed the highest values of soluble Ca and Mg; and the Pyramid goat cheese presented the greatest Ca and Zn transport efficacy across Caco-2 cell monolayers. Furosine could be a useful indicator to evaluate cheese ripeness and its indirect effect on the mineral availability.
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