Composition and α-tocopherol content of Njeguski-type cheese made from cow, ewe and goat milk

Abstract

The determination of basic composition and α-tocopherol content during ripening of Njeguski-type cheeses produced from cow, ewe and goat milk was studied. The α-tocopherol content was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique with fluorescent detection. The results showed that although with the same farm practice and production technology applied, cheese composition of three types of milk differed significantly. Therefore, to standardise Njeguski cheese composition, production technology should be modified for each milk type. Additionally, the content of α-tocopherol in goat cheeses was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the α-tocopherol content in cow and ewe cheeses: 1573 μg 100 g−1, 1039 μg 100 g−1, and 1152 μg 100 g−1, respectively, at the end of ripening.