This study investigated component partitioning during cold microfiltration (MF) and diafiltration (DF) of whey protein concentrate (WPC) feed in producing whey protein isolate (WPI). Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in the partitioning of components. Specifically, 60.1, 50.2, 6.32, and 75.7% of total solids, protein, fat, and ash, respectively, were partitioned into the permeate stream. Phospholipids comprised 25 and 41.4% of total fat in WPC feed and DF retentate, respectively. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed MFGM-associated proteins were enriched in the MF retentate. The particle size in MF retentate was significantly larger (P < 0.05) than in the MF and DF permeate streams (450, 7.87, and 3.55 nm, respectively), providing evidence of the retention of aggregated whey proteins in the MF retentate. These findings provide an indepth understanding of component partitioning during cold MF of WPC feed, supporting the development of higher value-added ingredients.

Globally, around six billion people consume bovine milk. As in many other countries dairy plays an important role in the Indian diet. The Food Safety Standards Authority of India is continuously taking efforts to ensure the country's regulatory framework for the dairy sector meets international standards and secure human health and to promote trade. To ensure safe and nutritious milk and milk products, an integrated quality assurance system with a thorough surveillance program is a prerequisite. This paper outlines the risk assessment principles before listing various chemical and microbiological hazards in the dairy supply chain, discusses examples with successful dairy supply chains, suggests analytical approaches for regulatory control, and gives recommendations for an effective surveillance plan. First of its kind, the paper may contribute to the development of an integrated milk quality and safety surveillance system in India, and may also serve as guidance for other developing nations.

The influence of psychrotrophs in raw milk on the characteristics of natural yogurt was evaluated in this study. Product A was made from raw milk containing 7 ± 1 log CFU mL−1 of psychrotrophs, and product B with 3 ± 1 log CFU mL−1. The rate of proteolysis over 35 days was higher in product A, which showed greater syneresis and viscosity from the 14th and 28th days, respectively. At 35 days, product A had greater hardness and gumminess and less cohesiveness than B. Tasters detected differences between the yogurts, and the comments “more acidity” and “more consistency” about product B were associated with lower pH values and greater cohesiveness, respectively. Lactic acid bacteria populations and titratable acidity of the yogurts were not affected. Product A had higher levels of some Free Fatty Acids (FFA). In this way, the characteristics of Product A influence its consumption and purchase, causing economic losses for the industry.

The study objective was to investigate the influence of chitosan-furcellaran films and coatings with bioactive peptides on cheese properties. The films were prepared using the casting method while the coatings by the dip-coating process. The yeast and mold count (YMC) was positive in the control Gouda after the 2nd week of storage. However, only after week 3 were yeast and mold detected in the samples covered with the RW4 film and in the coatings with no peptide or containing LL-37 (3.1–3.8 log cfu g−1). Regarding Mozzarella, a significant increase in YMC was determined after week 2 of storage in samples having coatings with no peptide or with LL-37 (6.2–6.3 log cfu g−1), whereas after the 1st week, YMC was increased in the control (6.6 log cfu g−1). The coatings with no peptide and with LL-37 demonstrated the best influence on microbiological quality, while having no negative impact on Gouda or Mozzarella sensory properties.

The efficacy of salting to ensure the safety of “Bagaces” cheese was assessed. Six producers with different processing practices were visited to develop a standard processing protocol for “Bagaces” cheese making. The effect of two different salting methods (brine or dry direct salting) and two cheese geometries (block or cubes) were assessed on product pH, water activity (Aw) and salt content. Both cheese geometry and salting method significantly influence the salting kinetics (p = 0.0027 and p = 0.0187, respectively), yet based on the physicochemical properties measured and its influence on pathogens growth based on previous studies, salting may not guarantee the safety of the final product as a critical measure of control since the growth of reference pathogens is likely to occur. Therefore, milk pasteurization, refrigeration during cheese storage and distribution, and strict application of good manufacturing practices are required for the safety assurance of this artisanal Mesoamerican cheese.

The study investigated the evolution of the physicochemical and sensory properties of Lben fermented milk inoculated with different starter formulations. The aim was to determine the optimal starter culture formula for Lben production using different combinations of four strains, including three strains of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis with strain codes A, E and F and one strain of Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides with strain code C. While individual strains had previously demonstrated significant technological and organoleptic properties their interaction in mixtures had not been explored. In the study, a response surface methodology (mixture design approach) was applied to evaluate the effects of the interactions between strains on the physicochemical, antioxidant, volatile, and sensory properties of Lben, a fermented milk. In addition, product optimization using ridge analysis was performed to determine the ideal strain mixture formulation based on the sensory properties of Lben. The optimization goal for odor, taste, consistency, and overall preference was set to maximize their values. A high desirability score of 0.832 was achieved with the following percentage distribution: 34.39% for L. lactis E, 42.38% for L. lactis A, 10% for L. lactis F, and 13.23% for Leuc. mesenteroides C.

Biofilms formed by Bacillus licheniformis usually serve as a continuous bacterial contamination in the dairy industry. The purpose of this study was to explore how 1% organic acids (citric acid, phenyllactic acid, malic acid, and butyric acid) and their 1% organic peroxyacids (peroxycitric acid, peroxyphenyllactic acid, peroxymalic acid, and peroxybutyric acid) can inactive the planktonic and biofilm cells of B. licheniformis. Results demonstrated that the number of B. licheniformis planktonic cells was increased from 4 to 6.46 Log CFU mL−1 when treated with water. Organic peroxyacids, especially peroxyphenyllactic acid (PPA), obviously inactivated planktonic cells of B. licheniformis by a range of 3.32–4.14 Log CFU mL−1. Moreover, organic peroxyacids could also decrease the cell surface hydrophobicity of bacteria, and effectively control the Ca2+-mediated biofilm formation by B. licheniformis in 96-well plates (reduction of OD values by 0.14–0.33) and on stainless steel (reduction of cell counts by 1.20–2.49 Log CFU cm−2). The low minimum biofilm eradication concentration of PPA (0.125%) also suggests its strong biofilm inactivation activity, which could serve as a novel and environmentally friendly biofilm control agent in the dairy industry.

Pecorino Bagnolese is a typical Italian cheese made from raw ewe's milk in province of Avellino (southern Italy). The aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological parameters during cheese-making and ripening (30, 90 and 180 d). Results showed that the cheese-making and ripening influenced the pH, water activity, moisture, fat content and levels of Enterobacteriaceae. Changes in the fatty acids profile of ripened cheeses compared to milk were observed, suggesting the influence of ripening on the fatty acids profile. Nutritional indices demonstrated positive health attributes. The concentration of malondialdehyde remained consistently low, while free fatty acids showed an increasing trend during ripening. Coagulase-positive staphylococci complied with the legislative threshold value, but colonies of Staphylococcus aureus were found. Pathogens were not detected. In conclusion, the data collected provided a better characterisation of this traditional cheese and can be used for broadening knowledge of raw ewe's milk cheeses.

This study investigated the synergistic effect of sonication and heat on plasmin, plasminogen-derived and plasminogen activators activity in buffalo milk. Sonication of milk samples at 72 ± 2 °C, 20 kHz, at 140 W from 60 to 150 s, indicated the activity of plasmin-system remained stable on sonication at 75 and 85% amplitude. On the other hand, increasing the exposure of milk to 95% amplitude decreased the enzymatic activities of plasmin, plasminogen-derived and plasminogen activators significantly when compared to heating without sonication. Thus, thermosonication can be applied to inactivate the plasmin-system in milk.

This work investigates the influence of using microbial coagulants, including Rhizomucor miehei (MCR) protease and Cryphonectria parasitica (MCC) protease, on the quality characteristics of low-fat Edam cheese made from ultrafiltered buffalo milk (LFUE). Concurrently, a benchmark with calf rennet (CR) has been also performed. Throughout a 90-day ripening period, the cheeses were assessed for their physicochemical features, proteolysis, texture, free amino acid and free fatty acid content, microstructure, and sensory attributes. The study revealed that both microbial coagulants had no significant impact on the physicochemical composition and firmness of the cheeses while slightly affected the free fatty acids. Cheeses made with microbial coagulants displayed higher proteolysis, with MCR and MCC cheeses exhibiting greater levels of water-soluble nitrogen and 12% trichloroacetic acid-soluble nitrogen than CR cheese. MCR and MCC cheeses exhibited more extensive breakdown of αs- and β-caseins, as indicated by the SDS-PAGE electrophoretogram, compared to CR cheese during ripening. As for the proteolytic activity, the microbial coagulant contributed to shaping the free amino acid content, microstructure, and sensory qualities of the cheeses. Notably, MCC cheese outperformed MCR or CR cheeses in terms of free amino acid levels. MCR and MCC cheeses resulted in smooth microstructures with uniform protein networks as observed by microscopy, while CR cheese displayed rough, granular surfaces. With the highest scores for appearance, body, texture, and flavor, MCC cheese demonstrated superior sensory properties compared with MCR and CR cheeses.