The effect of using different starter culture combinations on organic and fatty acid compositions of Mihaliç cheese

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the influence of three different starter culture combinations and two scalding temperatures on the organic and fatty acid compositions of pasteurized Mihaliç cheeses. For this purpose, starter culture combinations consisting of Propionibacterium freudenreichii, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus helveticus, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. cremoris were used. Two scalding temperatures, 40 °C or 45 °C, were used for cheeses with the same culture combination. Samples were evaluated in terms of organic and fatty acid compositions during 90 days of ripening. Eye formation, which is a characteristic feature of Mihaliç cheese, was seen in all cheese samples. Propionic and lactic acids were the most abundant organic acids detected in the cheeses. The most abundant saturated fatty acid was palmitic acid, followed by myristic and stearic acids. Oleic acid content was the highest among total unsaturated fatty acids. The control cheese had lower levels of short-chain fatty acids, which contribute directly to the cheese flavour.