Cheese Weight Research Articles

Yield and calo of the “Marija Zvijezda” Trappist cheese during ripening

This paper presents the results of research on yield and calo during ripening of the Trappist cheese. The cheese has been produced for more than 140 years by the monks of the Marija Zvijezda Monastery (Mariastern Abbey) in Banja Luka. In 2008 cheese production has been restored and the cheese has been presented to the market in cooperation with the “Livač” Cooperative. The Trappist cheese is made in the form of a wheel weighing 1.6-2.0 kg and it has a natural rind that is yellowish, thin, and smooth. The conditions and the way in which it ripens are specific and give a special flavour to the cheese. The duration of the ripening is a minimum of 90 days and it happens under specific conditions of humidity and temperature. The cheese ripens on wooden boards and it is rotated and cleaned manually. Its consistency is soft, elastic, mild, and it is easily cut. The cut is smooth without or with very little holes. It is characterized by a clean scent of milk, slightly salty, and it melts easily. The cheese yield calculated for the Trappist cheese is 12.81 %. The actual cheese yield obtained after 90 days of cheese ripening is 10.74 %. Cheese weight changes with ripening time and weight loss at the end of the production cycle is 0.322 kg or 15.85 %. The amount of whole milk needed for one kilogram of the final cheese product is about 9.35 kg.

Organoleptic and Chemical Analysis Characteristics of Sulguni Stored in Beeswax

In the paper showed organoleptic and chemical analysis of sulguni that is made of traditional technology and sulguni in beeswax has been carried out to study the effects of bee wax layer on the organoleptic and chemical parameters of sulguni. Some main factors are obstacle those make influence on sulguni, such as: cheese weight loss, fat oxidation and enzymatic breakdown. On the base of analysis the use of beeswax layer improves the physical stability of sulguni, at the same time the visual and tactile characteristics of the surface are improved as well. Moreover, it prevents the existence of mucus and mold on the surface, as well as protects the cheese from moisture loss and sulguni also retains its taste properties. Vacuum packaging cheese production in beeswax layer can be considered as the new, ecologically clean and safe alternative.

Effects of microbial transglutaminase levels on donkey cheese production.

Microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) is an enzyme widely used in the dairy sector to improve the functional properties of protein-based products via the formation of a network between protein molecules. The aim of this study involving cheese from the milk of donkeys was to evaluate the effects of treatment with MTGase at the concentrations of 0 (control), 5, 8 and 10 U/g milk protein on the cheese-making process parameters, as well as the physical and chemical characteristics of the resulting cheese. MTGase influenced the time of gel formation from rennet addition (P < 0.05), with a delay at the two highest concentrations, accompanied by a lower (P < 0.01) pH of cheese and the lowest (P < 0.01) loss in cheese weight at 24 h of storage. The highest gel viscosity (P < 0.01) was observed at the highest concentration of the enzyme, reaching the value of 70 mPa⋅sec after 60 min. The chemical composition and color of the cheeses were not significantly affected by the inclusion of MTGase, regardless of the enzyme concentration. These findings may be of relevance in adapting the cheese-making process and might help in the design of new dairy products from donkey's milk.

Effect of In Vitro Digestion on the Antioxidant and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Potential of Buffalo Milk Processed Cheddar Cheese.

The purpose of this study was to develop an in-vitro digestion protocol to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the peptides found in processed cheddar cheese using digestion enzymes. We first studied antioxidant and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition and antioxidant activities of processed cheddar cheese with the addition of spices e.g., cumin, clove, and black pepper made from buffalo milk and ripened for 9 months. Then we conducted an in vitro digestion of processed cheddar cheese by gastric and duodenal enzymes. Freeze-dried water (WSE) and ethanol-soluble fractions (ESE) of processed cheddar cheese were also monitored for their ACE inhibition activity and antioxidant activities. In our preliminary experiments, different levels of spices (cumin, clove, and black pepper) were tested into a cheese matrix and only one level 0.2 g/100 g (0.2%) based on cheese weight was considered good after sensory evaluation. Findings of the present study revealed that ACE-inhibitory potential was the highest in processed cheese made from buffalo milk with the addition of 0.2% cumin, clove, and black pepper. A significant increase in ACE-inhibition (%) of processed cheddar cheese, as well as its WSE and ESE, was obtained. Lower IC50 values were found after duodenal phase digestion compared to oral phase digestion.

Modeling weight loss of cheese during ripening and the influence of dairy system, parity, stage of lactation, and composition of processed milk

The yield, flavor, and texture of ripened cheese result from numerous interrelated microbiological, biochemical, and physical reactions that take place during ripening. The aims of the present study were to propose a 2-compartment first-order kinetic model of cheese weight loss over the ripening period; to test the variation in new informative phenotypes describing this process; and to assess the effects on these traits of dairy farming system, individual farms within dairy system, animal factors, and milk composition. A total of 1,211 model cheeses were produced in the laboratory using individual 1.5-L milk samples from Brown Swiss cows reared on 83 farms located in Trento Province. During ripening (60 d; temperature 15°C, relative humidity 85%), the weight of all model cheeses was measured, and cheese yield (cheese weight/processed milk weight, %CY) was calculated at 7 intervals from cheese-making (0, 1, 7, 14, 28, 42, and 60 d). Using these measures, a 2-compartment first-order kinetic model (3-parameter equation) was developed for modeling %CY during the ripening period, as follows: [Formula: see text] , where %CYt is the %CY at ripening time t; %CYi and %CYf are the modeled %CY traits at time 0 d (%CYi = initial %CY) and at the end of a ripening period sufficient to reach a constant wheel weight (%CYf = final %CY after 60 d ripening in the case of small model cheeses); kCY is the instant rate constant for cheese weight loss (%/d). Cheese weight and protein and fat losses were calculated as the % difference between the model cheeses at 0 and after 60 d of ripening. The variation in cheese pH was calculated as the % difference between pH at 0 and after 60 d. Dairy system, individual herd within dairy system, and the cow's parity and lactation stage (tested with a linear mixed model) strongly affected almost all the traits collected during model cheese ripening. Milk fat, protein, lactose, pH, and somatic cell score also greatly affected almost all the traits, although kCY was affected only by milk protein. After including milk composition in the linear mixed model, the importance of all the herd and animal sources of variation was greatly reduced for all traits. The proposed model and novel traits could be tested, first, with the aim of establishing new monitoring procedures enabling the dairy industry to improve milk quality-based payment systems at the herd level and, second, with a view to exploring possible genetic improvements to dairy cow populations.

Effects of Fat Reduction on the Stability, Microstructure, Rheological and Color Characteristics of White-Brined Cheese Emulsion with Different Emulsifying Salt Amounts.

Cheese emulsion is an intermediate product for the production of cheese powder and needs to be stable, homogeneous and pumpable characteristics to convey to the spray drier. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of fat reduction and emulsifying salt (ES) amount in cheese emulsion systems on the physicochemical characteristics. Reduced-fat (RF) and full-fat (FF) white-brined cheese emulsions were produced with different dry matters (DM; 15%–25% excluding ES) and ES concentrations (0%–3% based on cheese weight). Stable cheese emulsion was obtained at lower DM in RF cheese emulsion than that of FF cheese emulsion. Reduction in the amount of ES resulted in instability of both emulsions. Apparent viscosity with pseudoplastic flow behavior significantly increased with the decrease of fat content in stable cheese emulsions. Microstructure of emulsions appeared to be related to the fat content, stability and degree of emulsification. Reduction of fat content caused to get less lightness and more greenness in color, whereas yellowness was significantly decreased by increase in the amount of ES. In conclusion, fat reduction resulted in higher viscosities of cheese emulsion due to inducing the increment of protein, and the addition amount of ES considered as very important factor to produce stable cheese emulsion without protein precipitation or cream separation. Therefore, for preparation of RF cheese emulsion using a variety of white-brined cheese, lower amounts of DM would be suggested in this study to obtain homogenous droplets in the atomizing process of spray drying.

Influence of different by-products addition on sensory and physicochemical aspects of Primosale cheese.

Food industry produces considerable amounts of by-products that represent a severe problem from both economic and pollution points of view. The bioactive compounds still present in food by-products offer the possibility to re-use them to develop added value products. In the current work some by-products were incorporated into curd during production of Primosale cheese. Specifically, two concentrations (i.e., 50 and 100gKg-1) of flours from different by-products (i.e., red and white wine grape pomace; tomato peel, broccoli and artichokes by-products), as source of dietary fibres and bioactive compounds were tested. The swelling and water retention capacity of flours, in addition to physicochemical characteristics of cheese (cheese weight loss, dry substance in the whey, cheese moisture content and pH), bioactive compounds (total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity) and sensory profile were evaluated. Results highlighted that addition of by-products to Primosale cheese improved the nutritional properties and some sensory attributes such as friability and adhesiveness. Among the tested by-products, the most attractive result was obtained for Primosale cheese with artichoke by-products.

From cow to cheese: Novel phenotypes related to the sensory profile of model cheeses from individual cows

Milk samples were taken once from a total of 1,224 Brown Swiss cows from 83 herds, and 1,500 mL of raw full-fat milk from each cow was processed according to a laboratory-scale model-cheese-making procedure. A sensory panel was assembled and the members trained to evaluate the sensory profile of individual model cheeses. The protocol scorecard was composed of 7 main sensory descriptors related to smell intensity, flavor intensity, taste (salt and sour), and texture (elasticity, firmness, and moisture), and 40 sensory attributes describing smell and flavor profiles. Sensory data were analyzed using a mixed model that included random effects of herd, animal, and panelist, as well as fixed effects of dairy system, days in milk, parity, and order of cheese presentation, and covariates for cheese weight and fat:protein ratio. The sensory profile was not much affected by the dairy farming systems included in the trial, but it was affected by farm within dairy system: cheeses from traditional dairy farms had a greater wood/humus attribute of both smell and flavor than those from modern farm. Of the modern farms, cheeses from those using total mixed rations including silages had a more intense smell of sour milk and a firmer, less moist texture than those using total mixed rations without silages. Moreover, for all the sensory traits, we found less variance related to herd and animals than that related to the panelists and the residuals. Stage of lactation was found to be the most important, whereas parity was not relevant. In particular, cheese smell intensity (and some related attributes) exhibited a quadratic trend with lower values in mid-lactation, whereas flavor and salt descriptors were more intense in the last period of lactation.

Real-time evaluation of individual cow milk for higher cheese-milk quality with increased cheese yield

Cheese was produced in a series of experiments from milk separated in real time during milking by using the Afilab MCS milk classification service (Afikim, Israel), which is installed on the milk line in every stall and sorts milk in real time into 2 target tanks: the A tank for cheese production (CM) and the B tank for fluid milk products (FM). The cheese milk was prepared in varying ratios ranging from ~10:90 to ~90:10 CM:FM by using this system. Cheese was made with corrected protein-to-fat ratio and without it, as well as from milk stored at 4°C for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8d before production. Cheese weight at 24h increased along the separation cutoff level with no difference in moisture, and dry matter increased. The data compiled allowed a theoretical calculation of cheese yield and comparing it to the original van Slyke equation. Whenever the value of Afi-Cf, which is the optical measure of curd firmness obtained by the Afilab instrument, was used, a better predicted level of cheese yield was obtained. In addition, 27 bulk milk tanks with milk separated at a 50:50 CM:FM ratio resulted in cheese with a significantly higher fat and protein, dry matter, and weight at 24h. Moreover, solids incorporated from the milk into the cheese were significantly higher in cheeses made of milk from A tanks. The influence of storage of milk up to 8d before cheese making was tested. Gross milk composition did not change and no differences were found in cheese moisture, but dry matter and protein incorporated in the cheese dropped significantly along the storage time. These findings confirm that milk stored for several days before processing is prone to physico-chemical deterioration processes, which result in loss of milk constituents to the whey and therefore reduced product yield. The study demonstrates that introducing the unknown parameters for calculating the predicted cheese yield, such as the empiric measured Afi-Cf properties, are more accurate and the increase in cheese yield is more than increasing just the protein level, the value that is being tested by the dairies, or even casein.

A microbiological and physical-chemical based evaluation of artisanal Minas cheese production in Rio Paranaíba city, Minas Gerais, Brazil

The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiological and physical-chemical features of the water and milk used in the preparation of artisanal cheese produced in seven dairies, located in Rio Paranaíba, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in order to ascertain the conformity of these parameters with the current legislation. Physical-chemical analyzes of water (alkalinity, acidity, residual chlorine, chlorine and pH), milk (fat, protein, total solids, nonfat dry extract, acidity, cryoscopy and density) and cheese (moisture content, presence of starch and alkaline phosphatase) were performed. Also, it was determined the most probable number of coliform at 30 °C, at 45 °C and mesophilic count in the samples of water, milk and cheese. Cheese weight, diameter and height were also determined to verify the patterning of the physical format of cheeses. The water used by dairies showed satisfactory microbiological characteristics. However, the water in properties 2 and 7 showed mean values of alkalinity approximately 2 times higher and lower than the recommended range (10 to 50 mg CaCO3.L-1), respectively. Considering the confidence intervals, no water sample showed satisfactory results for alkalinity and residual chlorine determinations. With regards to raw milk samples, three samples showed mesophilic bacteria count greater than 1 x 105 CFU/mL (property 1, 5 and 7), whereas four and two samples showed number of coliforms at 30 °C and at 45 °C higher than 1100 NMP/mL, respectively. The milk produced in the property 2 showed confidence interval values for density (1.033 to 1.035), above the recommended limit. In addition, the confidence interval for the freezing point of milk in all properties were out of recommended values (-0.550 to -0.530 °H). Seventy-five percent of the cheeses had coliform counts at 30 °C greater than 1 x 103 MPN/g and 100% of the samples had humidity valueabove 45.9% (maximum allowed after maturation). The weight of cheeses from the properties 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 also exceeded the recommended limit (1-1.2 kg). The artisanal cheese-making process requires some adjustments to meet the standards of current legislation, aiming to bring added value and greater product safety.

Treatment of Canastra cheese rind with resin and its effects during the cheese ripening and in the cheese quality as a means of improving the visual aspect and add value to the product

The main objective of this work was to evaluate an alternative to improve the visual aspect of presentation and the quality of the artisanal Minas Canastra cheese of without changing its unique characteristics. Thus, we evaluate the artisanal Minas Canastra cheeses during ripening with application of food grade resin in relation to those without resin application in relation to the physical-chemical, microbiological and sensory properties, during the four seasons. In preliminary experiments were defined the way of the resin application (by hands) and the amount (5g of pure resin per unit of cheese, without adding potassium sorbate). During the ripening period (2, 15, 30 and 45 days) we did not observe significant difference between the cheeses with and without resin application in relation to physico-chemical properties such as pH, water activity, moisture content, fat in dry matter, extension and depth of proteolysis. At 15 and 30 days of the cheese ripening, the sensorial Modified Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (MQDA) indicated no difference between the treatments with and without resin application in relation to the sensory attributes evaluated, except for the overall appearance after 15 days of ripening. The cheeses with the application of resin had a score relating to overall appearance higher than those without application, after 15 days of ripening, due to lower growth of yeast and molds during this period. In the acceptance test by the 9 point hedonic scale, also there was no significant difference between cheeses with and without resin application during the four seasons. However, we found significant differences in the cheeses throughout the year, in relation to physico-chemical properties such pH, fat content in dry matter and depth of proteolysis, and even in relation to the sensory attributes such to overall appearance, color, texture, consistency and flavor. The microbiological counts of the cheeses with and without resin application, after 15 days of ripening, the difference in microbial counts between the four seasons were less than a logarithmic cycle, except for mesophilic aerobic and Staphylococcus aureus . The coefficients of variation related to microbiological counts of the cheeses with 15 days of ripening, compared to the four seasons, were relativelylow, except for Staphylococcus aureus counts in cheeses with and without resin application and total coliforms count in cheeses without resin application. After 15 days of cheese ripening, there was no Listeria sp. and Salmonella sp. in the cheese with and without resin application, in the four seasons evaluated. For cheeses with application of resin there was less growth of yeasts and molds during ripening (45 days) compared to those without resin application, which minimize the cheese weight losses with scratching the cheese rind to clean and to improve the visual aspect during this period.

Influence of brine concentration and temperature on composition, microstructure, and yield of feta cheese

The protein matrix of cheese undergoes changes immediately following cheesemaking in response to salting and cooling. Normally, such changes are limited by the amount of water entrapped in the cheese at the time of block formation but for brined cheeses such as feta cheese brine acts as a reservoir of additional water. Our objective was to determine the extent to which the protein matrix of cheese expands or contracts as a function of salt concentration and temperature, and whether such changes are reversible. Blocks of feta cheese made with overnight fermentation at 20 and 31°C yielded cheese of pH 4.92 and pH 4.83 with 50.8 and 48.9g/100g of moisture, respectively. These cheeses were then cut into 100-g pieces and placed in plastic bags containing 100g of whey brine solutions of 6.5, 8.0, and 9.5% salt, and stored at 3, 6, 10, and 22°C for 10 d. After brining, cheese and whey were reweighed, whey volume measured, and cheese salt, moisture, and pH determined. A second set of cheeses were similarly placed in brine (n=9) and stored for 10 d at 3°C, followed by 10 d at 22°C, followed by 10 d at 3°C, or the complementary treatments starting at 22°C. Cheese weight and whey volume (n=3) were measured at 10, 20, and 30 d of brining. Cheese structure was examined using laser scanning confocal microscopy. Brining temperature had the greatest influence on cheese composition (except for salt content), cheese weight, and cheese volume. Salt-in-moisture content of the cheeses approached expected levels based on brine concentration and ratio of brine to cheese (i.e., 4.6, 5.7 and 6.7%). Brining at 3°C increased cheese moisture, especially for cheese with an initial pH of 4.92, producing cheese with moisture up to 58g/100g. Cheese weight increased after brining at 3, 6, or 10°C. Cold storage also prevented further fermentation and the pH remained constant, whereas at 22°C the pH dropped as low as pH 4.1. At 3°C, the cheese matrix expanded (20 to 30%), whereas at 22°C there was a contraction and a 13 to 18g/100g loss in weight. Expansion of the protein matrix at 3°C was reversed by changing to 22°C. However, contraction of the protein matrix was not reversed by changing to 3°C, and the cheese volume remained less than what it was initially.

Model for changes in weight and dry matter during the ripening of a smear soft cheese under controlled temperature and relative humidity

A model predicting the weight loss and the dry matter increase in the core and in the rind of a French smear soft cheese (Munster type) has been developed. Experimental data were collected from experiments carried out in an aseptic pilot scale ripening chamber under nine different combinations of temperature (8, 12 and 16 °C) and of relative humidity (85%, 93% and 99%) according to a complete experimental design. For each run 16 samples were analysed at various ripening stages. The model took into account the water loss by evaporation, the water transfer from the core to the surface and the mass loss due to the CO 2 release. The cheese weight loss was more influenced by the relative humidity than by the temperature. The model was able to account for the experimental weight loss as well as the rind and the core dry matter, with accuracy acceptable for practical use.

Effect of period of milk production and ripening on quality traits of Asiago cheese

After 6 and 12 months of ripening, samples of Asiago d’Allevo were analyzed for quality traits. Cheeses were produced during 3 periods using milk from cows fed a total mixed ration (TMR, May) or grazing on alpine pasture (AG) in early (July) and late (Sept.) summer. Data were submitted to ANOVA considering ripening, milk production period and farm as main effects, and whole cheese weight as covariate. During ripening, pH of AG-cheese was significantly lower than that of TMR-cheese; crude fat and protein significantly increased. According to period, July-samples showed the significantly lowest value of dry matter (DM), maybe due to a lower crude fat con-tent; however, variability in skimming method could have altered proximate composition. No texture differences were found, although increasing weight of whole cheese significantly reduced max shear force as result of a lower DM content. Lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) significantly decreased during ripening. AG feeding system caused a lower L* and higher b* than TMR one, probably as a consequence of a different amount of milk pigments. Cheese varied also within AG season: Sept.-samples showed the lowest L* value and the highest b*.

Relationship between proteolysis and angiotensin-I-converting enzyme inhibition in different cheeses

The inhibition of angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) by the ethanol (70%)-soluble fraction (ESF) from different cheeses was analysed with an extract from rabbit lung acetone powder as enzyme source and 2-furanacryloyl-1-phenylalanylglycylglycine (FAPGG) as substrate. Proteolysis was assessed by a spectroscopic o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) assay of the pH 4.6-soluble fraction and ESF. Peptides in the ESF were separated by reverse phase-HPLC. The traditional Norwegian cheese Gamalost had per unit cheese weight higher ACE inhibition potential than Brie, Roquefort and Gouda-type cheese, likely due to the combination of highest protein content and most extensive proteolysis providing a high content of ACE inhibitory peptides. However, ACE-inhibition expressed as IC 50 per unit peptide concentration from ESF assessed by the OPA-assay was highest for Kesam, a Quark-type cheese with a low degree of proteolysis.

Effect of pH on the Chemical Composition and Structure-Function Relationships of Cheddar Cheese

The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of pH on chemical, structural, and functional properties of Cheddar cheese, and to relate changes in structure to changes in cheese functionality. Cheddar cheese was obtained from a cheese-production facility and stored at 4°C. Ten days after manufacture, the cheese was cut into blocks that were vacuum-packaged and stored for 4 d at 4°C. Cheese blocks were then high-pressure injected one, three, or five times with a 20% (wt/wt) glucono-δ-lactone solution. Successive injections were performed 24h apart. Cheese blocks were then analyzed after 40 d of storage at 4°C. Acidulant injection decreased cheese pH from 5.3 in the uninjected cheese to 4.7 after five injections. Decreased pH increased the content of soluble calcium and slightly decreased the total calcium content of cheese. At the highest level, injection of acidulant promoted syneresis. Thus, after five injections, the moisture content of cheese decreased from 34 to 31%, which resulted in decreased cheese weight. Lowered cheese pH, 4.7 compared with 5.3, also resulted in contraction of the protein matrix. Acidulant injection decreased cheese hardness and cohesiveness, and the cheese became more crumbly. The initial rate of cheese flow increased when pH decreased from 5.3 to 5.0, but it decreased when cheese pH was further lowered to 4.7. The final extent of cheese flow also decreased at pH 4.7. In conclusion, lowering the pH of Cheddar cheese alters protein interactions, which then affects cheese functionality. At pH greater than 5.0, calcium solubilization decreases protein-to-protein interactions. In contrast, at pH lower than 5.0, the acid precipitation of proteins overcomes the opposing effect caused by increased calcium solubilization and decreased calcium content of cheese, and protein-to-protein interactions increase.

Effect of Calcium and Water Injection on Structure-Function Relationships of Cheese

Our objectives were to determine the effect of calcium and water injection on cheese structure and to relate changes in structure to changes in functional properties of cheese. Cheese with fat and moisture content similar to that of low-moisture part-skim Mozzarella was made according to a direct-acid, stirred/pressed-curd procedure. The cheese was then cut into blocks that were high-pressure-injected from one to five times, with either water or a 40% calcium chloride solution. Successive injections were performed 24h apart. After 42 d of refrigerated storage, cheese microstructure and functionality were analyzed. When injected three or more times, water tended to increase cheese weight. The control, uninjected cheese, had the typical structure of a stirred/pressed-curd cheese: protein matrix interspersed with areas that originally contained fat and/or serum. Injecting water increased the area of cheese matrix occupied by protein, but it did not affect textural properties or melting of cheese. In contrast, when calcium was injected, a decrease in cheese weight was observed that was manifested through syneresis. The moisture content and pH of the cheese decreased as well. Calcium injection also decreased the area of cheese matrix occupied by protein. Cheese hardness increased, and cohesiveness and melting of cheese decreased upon calcium injection. We concluded that adding calcium to cheese alters how the proteins interact, which is manifested as changes in cheese microstructure. Such changes in cheese structure provide an understanding of changes in functional attributes of the cheese.

Migration of mineral hydrocarbons into foods. 3. Cheese coatings and temporary casings for skinless sausages.

Levels of mineral hydrocarbons which have migrated from wax coatings into cheese have been determined for 20 retail samples using a gas chromatographic procedure. Contamination was limited to the outermost 2 mm of cheese in direct contact with the wax where levels of hydrocarbons were found to range from 10 to 150 mg/kg. On a whole cheese weight basis these amounted to < 1 to 27 mg/kg (< 0.2 to 3 mg/dm2 contact area). Components attributed to hydrocarbons in cheese samples remote from the waxed surface (background levels) were typically 3-5 mg/kg. Background levels were subtracted from the results for surface samples to obtain migration values. There was evidence that the surface contamination of cheese with mineral hydrocarbons occurred by a combination of diffusion into the cheese and adhesion of wax components onto its surface. Mineral hydrocarbons are used in the manufacture of the temporary casings used to mould skinless sausages. Of 33 retail products examined, including skinless sausages, hot-dog sausages and frankfurters, 25 (75%) contained levels of mineral hydrocarbons from 10 to 105 mg/kg. These hydrocarbons were shown to be present principally at the surface of the food and so could be attributed to migration. Nine other minced meat products were examined for comparison, including minced beef, pâté, sausage meat and sausages with skins. Levels of mineral oil in these products were insignificant by comparison, typically below the limit of detection of ca 4 mg/kg, indicating insignificant adventitious contamination from routes other than migration.

The use of soybean milk in soft cheese making

SummaryA method for making Domiati cheese (soft cheese) from a mixture of soybean milk and whole milk has been reconstructed. The results obtained showed some important differences in cheese characteristics as the result of using soybean milk, particularly in the higher moisture, soluble nitrogen and acidity contents. The main organoleptic property affected by the soymilk was the flavour. This improved on ripening.A number of changes were observed during ripening. The presence of soymilk resulted in (1) less loss of cheese moisture and consequently cheese weight, (2) increase in the development of titratable acidity and (3) increase in protein breakdown.It is suggested that the soybean milk activates the lactic acid, producing bacteria and the proteolytic enzymes present in cheese.