Fatty Acid Composition Of Cheese Research Articles

Geographical Variation in Pasturelands and Their Impact on the Physicochemical Characterization and Fatty Acid Composition of Cheese in Caraș-Severin County, Romania

In Caraș-Severin County, Romania, the integration of sustainable agricultural practices with organic dairy production represents a unique opportunity to promote agro-tourism farms and guesthouses. This study examines the synergy between the chemical composition of pastures from three farms in different alleys and the impact on the chemical composition of dairy products produced on those farms. Thus, the comparative analysis of two types of traditional cow’s cheeses (soft and mature) from three different areas of Caraș-Severin County was pursued, as well as of the feed given to the animals from which the raw material for obtaining the cheeses originated. Initially, the physicochemical profile of the pastures (fresh grass and grass hay) was analyzed in terms of proximate composition (moisture, lipids, proteins, ash and carbohydrates), and the content of bioactive compounds (total polyphenols, antioxidant activity using the DPPH method). The proximate composition of the cheese samples, including moisture, lipids, proteins, ash and carbohydrates was analysed, and the content of fatty acids. A correlation was also made between the content of bioactive compounds in feed samples and fatty acid profile of the cheese samples. Our findings demonstrate that the geographical area and the chemical composition of the pasture have a considerable influence on the physicochemical characterization and fatty acid composition of the cheese. The cheese from the mountain area had a higher fat, protein and polyunsaturated fatty acid content compared to the samples from the hill and plain areas.

Impact of changes in the fat phase on the peculiarities of the formation of quality indicators of semi-hard and hard cheeses

Cheesemaking is a complex process that involves lactose metabolism, proteolysis and lipolysis. The flavor bouquet of ripening cheeses is formed as a result of changes in all the components of milk. The conditions of keeping and feeding a ruminant, its type, breed, as well as the technological features of cheese production influence this process. Milk fat contributes to the formation of the flavor bouquet of cheese, which undergoes separate changes in the stage of milk processing for cheese. We studied semi-hard cheeses — Dutch and Vityaz and hard cheese — Italiko, made from the same raw milk using the microflora characteristic of these cheeses. The temperature of the second heating ranged from 39°C to 54°C, depending on the type of cheese. To assess the quality of cheeses, their physical and chemical composition and degree of maturity, organoleptic indicators and the content of volatile flavoring compounds, acid number, Reichert-Meissl number and fatty acid composition of the fatty phase of cheeses were determined. In comparative studies of cheeses, the features of the formation of their quality indicators, due to the composition and manufacturing technology, were revealed. They manifested themselves in the flavor bouquet and texture of the product, as well as in the fatty acid composition of cheeses, confirming the importance of the fat phase in the quality formation of the studied cheeses during their production, ripening and storage. It has been proven that even a slight increase in the acid number of fat during the production of all cheeses contributes to the further transformation of the resulting free fatty acids into volatile flavoring compounds that take part in the formation of the taste and aroma of the finished product.

Inclusion of Barley Fodder in Alfalfa/Grass-Based Diets on Milk Production in Goats and Milking Sheep

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Barley Sprout Fodder (BSF) on milk production and milk composition of Saanen goats and Friesian ewes. Twenty Saanen does (1-year-old) and twenty East Friesian ewes (1 to 5 years old), were selected for this experiment, where each species was divided into four treatment groups. Goat treatments consisted of 0 (CRTL), 758 (BSF1), 1498 (BSF2) and 2270 (BSF3) g wet BSF/d added to an alfalfa/grass hay mix provided in random order. Sheep treatments were similar, but 0, 454, 908, and 1362 g wet BSF/d. The dry matter content of the fodder was 10.7%. A grain mix was fed to the goats (798 DM g/d) and sheep (400 DM g/d) during morning and evening milking. Treatment periods were fifteen days. Feed consumed was measured and milk yield and samples were collected on days 13 and 14. Milk samples were analyzed for milk fat, protein, and lactose. The cheese was made from day 14 milk and milk and cheese were analyzed for fatty acid composition. Total DM intake was between 2.7 and 2.9 kg/d for does and was different (P<0.05) between BSF treatments, 2.6 to 3.0 kg/d for ewes. Milk yield was not affected by BSF treatment. Goat milk yield averaged 2681 g/d across the treatments, while sheep was 1021 g/d. Milk fat content increased numerically from 77 to 82 g/d for goats and 50 to 58 g/d for sheep. BSF did not affect goat milk protein g/d, but sheep milk protein increased from 46 to 53 g/d. Goat milk lactose was not changed with BSF inclusion, while sheep milk lactose increased from 47 to 54 g/d. Total solids were not different from BSF in the diet for goats but was for sheep increasing from 143 to 164 g/d. There were no differences in cheese fatty acid composition for either species. The CRTL diet cost $0.82/day for goats and $0.72/d for sheep, while the high level of BSF inclusion cost $1.06/d for goats and $0.91/d for sheep. Based on the parameters of this study, the inclusion of BSF had relatively no effect on goat milk parameters but did improve milk solids in sheep milk, with no increase in milk yield.

The determination of fatty acids in cheeses of variable composition (cow, ewe's, and goat) by means of near infrared spectroscopy

The fat composition is one of the factors which has the greatest influence on cheese. The fatty acids present in the same influence sensory parameters such as color, texture, and flavor (rancid and pungent). They likewise influence the nutritional composition of cheese as different fatty acids have beneficial or harmful effects on human health. On the other hand, the determination of the fatty acids present in cheese has been put forward as a useful tool for distinguishing the various cheeses according to the milk used in their production. Finding a tool which allows the determination of the fatty acids present in cheese in a rapid and non destructive manner is of great interest to the cheese industry. In this study we examine the use of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) technology in the determination of 19 fatty acids in cheese from C8:0 to C20:0 including ∑SFA and ∑UFA. Cheeses were made with known and varying percentages of cow, ewe's, and goat milk (112 samples) and ripening controls were carried out for 6 months. Two ways of recording the spectra are compared, one using a remote reflectance fiber-optic probe on a slice of cheese and another using the fatty extracts obtained from the same cheeses and recorded with cam-lock cells. The regression method used is MPLS. The results obtained reveal that it is possible to predict the fatty acid composition of cheese by means of the use of NIRS, irrespective of the method used to record it. Furthermore, the results obtained in the validation of the method used indicate that the equations obtained allow their application to unknown cheese samples.

Influence of the maturation process on the sheep's milk of Camembert cheese fatty acid profile change

The aim of this research was to study the fatty acid composition of Camembert cheese fat phase. The object of the research was the sheep’s milk Camembert soft cheese. The Camembert soft cheese was made from sheep’s milk pasteurized at 63∘C for 30 minutes before production, using cultures Penicillium camemberti, Geotrichum candidum, as well as Lactococcus lactis, Lactococcus cremoris, Lactococcus diacetylactis, Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. cremoris. The study of the cheese fatty acid composition during maturation was carried out using the gas chromatography method in accordance with the state industry standard of the Russian Federation 32915-2014 ”Milk and dairy products. The determination of fatty acid composition of the fat phase by gas chromatography”. The fatty acids profile in the process of cheese maturation changed significantly. There was an increase in the short chain fatty acids concentration: oil (C4:0) kapron (C6:0), capryl (C8:0). A change in the lauric acid content (C12: 0) and myristic acid (C14: 0) showed a similar trend but with less dynamics. On the 14th day of maturation, the concentration of lauric acid (C12:0) increased by 30%, myristic acid (C14:0) – by 13%. At the beginning of the maturation period, the C18:1n9t isomer consisted about 70% of the total fatty acid trans-isomers. During maturation, the concentration of C18:1n9t decreased by 98%. It was found that, regardless of the maturation period, fatty acids C10: 0, C14: 0, C16: 0, C18: 0, C18: 1 t11 and C18: 1c9 consisted about 73% of the total fatty acids. There was a decrease in the concentration of w-6-polyunsaturated fatty acids with a simultaneous increase in the concentration of w-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The results can serve as a basis for comparative analysis development tools and strategies aimed at improving the nutritional characteristics of sheep’s milk cheese.

Chemical-Sensory Traits of Fresh Cheese Made by Enzymatic Coagulation of Donkey Milk.

Making cheese from donkey milk is considered unfeasible, due to difficulties in coagulation and curd forming. Two recent studies have reported the protocols for making fresh cheese by using camel chymosin or calf rennet, but the chemical and sensory characteristics of the products were not thoroughly investigated. The present paper aims to give a further contribution to the field, by investigating cheesemaking with microbial rennet and evaluating the chemical composition, total fatty acid, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and sensory profile of the resultant product. Six trials were undertaken at laboratory scale on donkey milk from a Martina Franca ass, by applying the technological scheme as reported for calf rennet, with some modifications. Bulk cow milk was used as a control. Donkey milk coagulated rapidly, but the curd remained soft, and was only suitable for making fresh cheese; differently, cow milk coagulated almost instantaneously under these strong technological conditions, giving rise to a semi-hard curd in very short time. The moisture level of donkey cheese was almost the same as reported in the literature, whereas the yield was higher, probably due to the high protein content of the milk used. The total fatty acid composition of cheese presented some differences with respect to milk, mostly consisting in a higher presence of saturated compounds. A connection with a better retention of the large sized fat globules into the curd was hypothesised and discussed. The VOC analyses, performed by solid-phase micro extraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, allowed the identification of 11 compounds in milk and 18 in cheese. The sensory characteristics of donkey cheese were strongly different with respect to the control, and revealed unique and pleasant flavours.

Influence of rate of inclusion of microalgae on the sensory characteristics and fatty acid composition of cheese and performance of dairy cows

Modification of milk and cheese fat to contain long-chain n-3 fatty acids (FA) by feeding microalgae (ALG) to dairy cows has the potential to improve human health, but the subsequent effect on the sensory attributes of dairy products is unclear. The objective was to determine the effect of feeding dairy cows different amounts of ALG that was rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on milk and cheese FA profile, cheese sensory attributes, and cow performance. Twenty Holstein dairy cows were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 dietary treatments in a 4 × 4 row and column design, with 4 periods of 28 d, with cheddar cheese production and animal performance measurements undertaken during the final 7 d of each period. Cows were fed a basal diet that was supplemented with ALG (Schizochytrium limancinum) at 4 rates: 0 (control, C), 50 (LA), 100 (MA), or 150 g (HA) of ALG per cow per day. We found that both milk and cheese fat content of DHA increased linearly with ALG feed rate and was 0.29 g/100 g FA higher in milk and cheese from cows fed HA compared with C. Supplementation with ALG linearly reduced the content of saturated FA and the ratio of n-6:n-3 FA in milk and cheese. Supplementation with ALG altered 20 out of the 32 sensory attributes, with a linear increase in cheese air holes, nutty flavor, and dry mouth aftertaste with ALG inclusion. Creaminess of cheese decreased with ALG inclusion rate and was positively correlated with saturated FA content. We also observed a quadratic effect on fruity odor, which was highest in cheese from cows fed HA and lowest in LA, and firmness and crumbliness texture, being highest in MA and lowest in HA. Supplementation with ALG had no effect on the dry matter intake, milk yield, or live weight change of the cows, with mean values of 23.1, 38.5, and 0.34 kg/d respectively, but milk fat content decreased linearly, and energy-corrected milk yield tended to decrease linearly with rate of ALG inclusion (mean values of 39.6, 38.4, 37.1, and 35.9 g/kg, and 41.3, 41.3, 40.5, and 39.4 kg/d for C, LA, MA, and HA, respectively). We conclude that feeding ALG to high-yielding dairy cows improved milk and cheese content of DHA and altered cheese taste but not cow performance, although milk fat content reduced as inclusion rate increased.

Milk and Montasio‐type cheese fatty acid composition from cows grazing on timothy and reed canarygrass pasture or fed indoor

AbstractThe objective of this study was to compare the fatty acid (FA) profile of cheese and milk produced from cows grazing on timothy and reed canarygrass pasture or fed indoor. Twenty multiparous dairy cows were selected from a single farm in Pyeongchang (South Korea) and assigned to two experimental groups (TMR and PAST). TMR was kept indoor and fed with a total mixed ration, while PAST was maintained on timothy and reed canarygrass (70%–30%) pasture for 5 months (beginning of June–end of October). At approximately 6‐day interval during this period, Montasio‐type cheeses were produced for each experimental group, and at the same day, bulk milk for each group was collected. Chemical composition and FA profile of cheeses and milk and the texture of cheeses were carried out. The diet affected milk fat content, which was higher in PAST than in TMR (p &lt; 0.05). The pasture feeding increased C18:0 (p &lt; 0.01), C18:1n‐9cis (p &lt; 0.01), C18:3n‐3 (p &lt; 0.05), monounsaturated FA (p &lt; 0.05) and n‐3 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA, p &lt; 0.05), and reduced C12:0 (p &lt; 0.01), C16:0 (p &lt; 0.01), C18:2n‐6cis (p &lt; 0.05), C20:3n‐6 (p &lt; 0.05), saturated FA (p &lt; 0.05) and n‐6:n‐3 PUFA ratio (p &lt; 0.01) of both milk and cheese compared with those of TMR. From FA composition point of view, pasture‐based feeding system increased the healthiness of dairy products.

Influence of milling pH and storage on quality characteristics, mineral and fatty acid profile of buffalo Mozzarella cheese

BackgroundCurrently, cheese fat is a major component of human diet due to change in eating habits. It contains a number of health destroying as well as health promoting fatty acids. Bovine milk cheese fatty acid composition is regulating by many factors. These may be breed of animal, animal health condition like mastitis and stage of lactation. It also differs with feed and dietary fat intake and seasons. Many studies demonstrated physicochemical, textural and sensory characteristics of Mozzarella cheese with variation in technological process but no literature found about the fatty acid profile and potential influence of milling pH on the fatty acid composition of buffalo Mozzarella cheese.MethodsBuffalo Mozzarella cheeses were manufactured at 5.2, 5.1, 5.0, 4.9 and 4.8 milling pH, vacuum packaged and stored at 4 °C and analyzed for quality characteristics, mineral composition and fatty acid profile on days 1, 45, and 90. Results were analyzed by ANOVA according to complete randomized design.ResultsThis study evaluated the effect of milling pH on chemical composition, mineral and fatty acid profile of buffalo Mozzarella cheese. Experimentally induced milling pH differences persisted and significantly affected chemical composition during first day of manufacturing but have no effect on fatty acid profile of cheese. However, storage effects significantly on chemical composition and fatty acid profile of cheese. Decreasing milling pH from 5.2–4.9 resulted in decrease in moisture content of cheese. As a result of changes in milling pH, all the cheeses experienced a significant loss in protein content. In contrast to protein content, fat content of cheese increases with decreasing milling pH. Ash contents of cheese decreased with decreasing milling pH. The level of calcium decreases from 77.82 mg/g to 69.1 mg/g with decreasing milling pH while there is no clear trend observed for potassium and sodium during change in milling pH. Saturated fatty acids presented higher concentrations reaching values of about 71.38 g/100 g throughout storage while monounsaturated fatty acids decreases with storage from 26.72 to 22.06 g/100 g. On the other hand, total polyunsaturated fatty acids exhibited lower concentrations than total monounsaturated fatty acids reaching values of 3.2 g/100 g and its value also decreased with ripening and reached to 1.6 g/100 g. Concentration of C18:1 t10–11 was observed 1.89% in freshly prepared cheese. Milling pH did not influence C18:1 t10–11 concentration but storage days significantly (p < 0.05) decreased its concentration.ConclusionIn modern era, Mozzarella cheese is major source of dietary fatty acids. The study demonstrated that Mozzarella cheese is a rich source of saturated fatty acids that has detrimental effect on health but it is also observed that it is also a major source of essential fatty acids that has beneficial impact on health. It is concluded that technological conditions like milling pH minimally influence cheese fatty acid profile but after manufacturing treatments and conditions like packaging and storage greatly influence fatty acid profile of cheese. It was concluded that cheese may get oxidized if it is packed in inappropriate packaging material that have reduced air barrier resistance. Moreover, cheese storage under light may also become oxidized which is also harmful for health.

Seasonal differences in fatty acid content of white brine cheese offered at the Bulgarian market

The present study provides scientific information for fatty acid composition of white brine cheese from cow milk, produced from all regions of Bulgaria, across seasons for the period 2012–2016. A total of 670 samples produced from different manufacturers and collected from supermarkets by Official control of Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) were examined. Fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography. The milk fat purity of 18 samples was established through gas chromatographic analysis of triglycerides. Seasonal variations were observed in fatty acid composition of white brine cheese. The seasonal changes in the concentration of lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic and α-linolenic acids have largely contributed to the variation of fatty acid composition of cheese. Saturated fatty acids (SFAs) were in the range 68.39–71.53% of total FAs and the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) was 28.44–31.61% of total FAs. Fourty-five out of examined samples have exhibited different fatty acid profile than that established in the present study for cow milk cheese. The determined SFAs were 44.7–57.5% and UFA varied from 42.5% to 55.3%. The fatty acids with short chain (C4:0 ÷ C10:0) were not detected or in traces, lauric and myristic acids were in small amounts, while palmitic and oleic acids predominated in the fatty acid composition of cheese analogues.

Effect of Only Pasture on Fatty Acid Composition of Cow Milk and Ciminà Caciocavallo Cheese

To investigate the effect of only pasture or hay and concentrate feedings on milk and cheese fatty acid composition, 20 lactating Italian Red Pied cows were randomly allocated into two groups. Group E was grazed without integration; Group I was fed with hay &lt;em&gt;ad libitum&lt;/em&gt; and concentrate mixture. A traditional cheese-making technique was used to make Caciocavallo cheese. Milk from only pasture fed cows showed higher percentages of total PUFA, C18:3 n-3, cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid and trans-11 C18:1, and a reduced percentage of C16:0 and C18:2 n-6, in some cases more markedly than extensive systems that provide integrations. The fatty acid profile of cheeses largely reflected that of the corresponding raw milk from which cheeses were made. In conclusion, the fatty acid profile of milk and cheese obtained from extensive system confirms the health benefits of dairy products from cows reared at pasture.

Effects of ewes grazing sulla or ryegrass pasture for different daily durations on forage intake, milk production and fatty acid composition of cheese

Sulla (Sulla coronarium L.) forage is valued for its positive impact on ruminant production, in part due to its moderate content of condensed tannin (CT). The duration of daily grazing is a factor affecting the feed intake and milk production of ewes. In this study, the effects of grazing sulla pasture compared with annual ryegrass, and the extension of grazing from 8 to 22 h/day, were evaluated with regard to ewe forage intake and milk production, as well as the physicochemical properties and fatty acid (FA) composition of cheese. During 42 days in the spring, 28 ewes of the Comisana breed were divided into four groups (S8, S22, R8 and R22) that grazed sulla (S) or ryegrass (R) for 8 (0800 to 1600 h) or 22 h/day, and received no feeding supplement. In six cheese-making sessions, cheeses were manufactured from the 48 h bulk milk of each group. Compared with ewes grazing ryegrass, those grazing sulla had higher dry matter (DM) intake, intake rate and milk yield, and produced milk that was lower in fat and higher in casein. Ewes grazing for 22 h spent more time eating, which reduced the intake rate, increased DM and nutrient intake and milk yield, and reduced milk fat. Due to the ability of CT to inhibit the complete ruminal biohydrogenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), the FA composition of sulla cheese was more beneficial for consumer health compared with ryegrass cheese, having lower levels of saturated fatty acids and higher levels of PUFA and n-3 FA. The FA profile of S8 cheese was better than that of S22 cheese, as it was higher in branched-chain FA, monounsaturated FA, PUFA, rumenic acid (c9,t11-C18:2), and had a greater health-promoting index. The effect of short grazing time on sulla was attributed to major inhibition of PUFA biohydrogenating ruminal bacteria, presumably stimulated by the higher accumulation of sulla CT in the rumen, which is related to a higher intake rate over a shorter eating time. Thus, grazing sulla improved the performance of ewes, thereby increasing, especially with short grazing time, the nutritional properties of cheese fat.

Chemical and fatty acid composition of cow and sheep milk cheeses in a lamb skin sack

In this study, the basic chemical and fatty acid compositions of autochthonous Croatian cow and sheep cheeses in a lamb skin sack (local name: “sir iz mišine”) were determined. Also, the influences of ripening period and different starter cultures on chemical and fatty acid composition of these cheeses were investigated. Samples of cow (n=20) and sheep (n=20) milk cheeses were produced in three different ways: from raw milk without the addition of a starter culture, from pasteurized milk with commercial starter cultures and with previously isolated autochthonous starter cultures (Lactococcus lactis S1 or Lactobacillus plantarum B or a mixture of both). Samples were taken during a 45-day ripening period (on days 0, 15, 30 and 45). The ripening time significantly affected all basic chemical parameters, while different starter cultures significantly (p<0.05) influenced protein, fat and ash content. Ripening time had no significant effect on the representation of the investigated fatty acid groups (p>0.05), but a significant difference was found depending on the starter cultures used and the type of cheese analysed, in terms of statistically higher proportion (p<0.05) of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the finished sheep's milk cheese (2.58–2.97%) in comparison to the cow's milk cheese (1.93–2.14%). Fatty acids most represented in the analysed cheeses were palmitic, oleic and stearic acid.

Cheese and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Review of the Evidence and Discussion of Possible Mechanisms

Currently, the effect of dairy products on cardiovascular risk is a topic much debated and with conflicting results. The purpose of this review is to give an overview of the existing literature regarding the effect of cheese intake and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Studies included reporting the intake of cheese and risk of CVD or risk markers of CVD represent four human intervention studies, nine prospective studies, one prospective case-cohort study, one prospective nested case-control study, five case-control studies, five cross-sectional studies and three correlation studies. The possible mechanisms that may be of importance include calcium, protein, fermentation and the fatty acid composition of cheese. Results from four prospective studies reported no association between cheese intake and CVD risk, whereas one reported an increased risk, two reported a decreased risk and one reported no association in men but a decreased risk in women. In addition, results from four intervention studies indicated no harmful effect on cholesterol concentrations when comparing fat intake from cheese with fat from butter. The underlying mechanisms for these findings still need to be elucidated.

Interannual and geographical reproducibility of the nutritional quality of milk fat from commercial grazing flocks

The objective of the present work was to study the differences in the fatty acid (FA) composition of raw sheep milk fat under commercial milk production conditions throughout lactation, in two consecutive years. Particular attention was placed on the C18:2cis-9,trans-11 isomer, C18:1trans-11 acid, and unsaturated FA as the feeding regimen of 10 commercial flocks of latxa dairy sheep changed from indoor feeding to part-time grazing conditions (from early spring) as traditionally practiced in the Basque Country (Northern Spain). Farms located at an altitude of between 600 and 700m, in two different geographical areas with different rainfall were selected. Milk samples were collected monthly from late January (indoor feeding) until mid-, or end of, June (outdoor feeding), during two consecutive years. In spite of some interannual variability (most likely due to large differences in rainfall), the evolution of individual FA throughout lactation was comparable between years, indicating that it was reproducible under commercial milk production conditions. The average concentrations of C18:2cis-9,trans-11 isomer and C18:1trans-11 acid in milk from the commercial flocks increased about 200% during the transition period (end of March or early April until May), from indoor feeding (late January or early February until the end of March) to the outdoor period (early May to mid-June), remaining constant during the outdoor period (27·53±9·32μmol/g fat and 71·58±20·53μmol/g fat, respectively). Non-atherogenic FA comprised approximately 50% of all saturated FA at any time during lactation, whereas the milk atherogenicity index decreased significantly during the outdoor period. The Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity of the water-soluble milk fraction did not appear to be influenced by feeding management. The FA composition of cheeses made during the second year with milk from the indoor or outdoor periods reflected those of the corresponding milks. A principal components analysis clearly showed that differences in the milk FA composition were primarily due to outdoor grazing, with very little contribution from the geographical zone or the year.

Hydrocarbon and Fatty Acid Composition of Cheese As Affected by the Pasture Vegetation Type

The determination of the geographical origin of dairy products is an ongoing issue. In this paper the effects of botanical diversity of two pastures on the hydrocarbon and fatty acid composition of cheese fat were studied, over 2 years of experimentation. Two areas in the Italian southwestern Alpine region, dominated by Trifolium alpinum (T) and Festuca nigrescens (F) vegetation, respectively, were chosen, and milk obtained from cows grazing on these pastures was used to produce a semihard traditional cheese. Cheese samples showed a significantly different composition of most linear hydrocarbons, odd-chain (C15, C17, and C17:1) and unsaturated (trans-11,cis-15-C18:2, C18:3, C20:4n-6, C20:4n-3, and 20:5n-3) fatty acids, according to pasture type. The ratio between C(29) and C(27) linear hydrocarbons, unlike the absolute content of the single molecules, showed a good discriminating ability between the two pastures and was little affected by the natural variability due to the climatic and environmental factors.

The effect of pasteurisation temperature on the CLA content and fatty acid composition of white pickled cheese

In this study, the effect of pasteurisation temperature on fatty acid composition of cheese was investigated. The fatty acid composition of raw and different heat-treated milk, salt and salt-free cheese were determined using cheese made from raw milk at temperatures varying between 70 and 90°C for 5 min. Generally, C 16:0 palmitic acid was the major fatty acid present in all milk and cheese samples. C 18:1 t11 vaccenic acid was the major trans fatty acid (TFA) in all samples. C 18:2 cis-9, trans-11 (Rumenic acid) was the major CLA isomer in these samples. Pasteurisation temperatures had no effect on TFA, CLA and fatty acid composition of the milk and cheese samples.

Differential effect of cheese fatty acid composition on blood lipid profile and redox status in normolipidemic volunteers: a pilot study

The present study investigated the effect of the consumption of two cheese varieties differing for fat quality on blood lipid profile and redox status biomarkers in 30 selected healthy volunteers, consuming either the experimental cheese (from milk produced by cows fed a grass and maize silage based diet with 5% of linseed oil added) or the control cheese (from normal cows' milk) for 4 weeks according to a crossover design. The experimental cheese had a lower content of medium-chain saturated fatty acids and a higher content of stearic acid and polyunsaturated fatty acids; its consumption led to higher levels of vitamins C and E and stearic acid in blood, while myristic acid and oxidized low-density lipoprotein concentrations were significantly lower. As myristic acid and oxidized low-density lipoprotein are highly correlated with increased atherogenic risk and vitamins C and E with antioxidant activity, the enrichment of cows' diet with linseed oil could provide a dietary option to prevent cardiovascular diseases risk.

Fatty Acid Composition of Yak (Bos grunniens) Cheese Including Conjugated Linoleic Acid and trans-18:1 Fatty Acids

The esterified fatty acid composition of cheese (YC) from yak ( Bos grunniens), reared in the highlands of the Nepalese Himalayas, was studied using capillary gas-liquid chromatography and compared with that of dairy cow Cheddar cheese (DC) purchased in a local market. The YC was collected from Dolakha, Nepal. The YC had a lower (P<0.001) myristic acid (C14:0; 6.7 vs 10.3%, YC vs DC, respectively) and palmitic acid content (C16:0; 23.3 vs 29.2%, YC vs DC, respectively) compared to DC. The YC had a lower (P<0.01) total medium-chain saturated fatty acids (C10:0-C16:0) content compared to DC (36.7 vs 47.3%, YC vs DC, respectively). On the other hand, the YC had a 24.8% higher (P<0.01) level of total long-chain saturated fatty acids (C17:0-C26:0) and a 3.2 times higher (P<0.001) content of total n-3 PUFA than DC. The ratio of n-3 PUFA to n-6 PUFA in YC was 0.87 compared to 0.20 in DC. YC had a 2.8 times higher (P<0.001) total trans-18:1 (9.18 vs 3.31%, YC vs DC, respectively) content. The percentage of vaccenic acid ( trans-11-C18:1) in YC was 4.6 times higher (6.23 vs 1.35% of total fatty acids, YC vs DC, respectively) than in DC. Vaccenic acid constituted 67.9% of total trans-C18:1 in YC. The Delta9-desaturase index for YC was lower than that of DC. The total conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content in YC was 2.3% of total fatty acids compared to 0.57% in DC. The cis-9, trans-11 CLA isomer in YC constituted 88.5% of the total CLA. The results suggest that cheese from yak, grazed on Himalayan alpine pastures, may have a more healthful fatty acid composition compared to cheese manufactured from dairy cattle fed grain-based diets.

Whole extruded linseed in the diet of dairy ewes during early lactation: effect on the fatty acid composition of milk and cheese

In a long term supplementation trial (10 weeks), the effects of the inclusion of whole extruded linseed in the diet of dairy ewes on milk and cheese fatty acid composition were evaluated. Two groups of 24 Sarda ewes in early lactation were randomly assigned to control concentrate (800 g/d concentrate, C) or whole extruded linseed concentrate (L, 700 g/d, with 30% of extruded linseed, Omega-Lin®). Results showed that, after 2 weeks on the L diet, the milk content of unsaturated fatty acid (UFA), including rumenic acid (RA), vaccenic acid (VA) and alfa-linolenic acid (ALA) increased sharply compared to C group, reaching the highest levels after 7-8 weeks (3.06, 7.31 and 2.31 g/100 g milk fat for RA, VA and ALA, respectively). During the last 2 weeks of the experimental period, when pasture was included in the diet of both groups, the content of the above fatty acids slightly decreased in milk from L group, whereas in milk from C group increased. Nevertheless, the average content of these fatty acids in milk from L group remained significantly higher than that of milk from C group. Compared with the control, the L diet resulted in a significant reduction (-17%) in the concentration of saturated fatty acid in milk. The fatty acid content of the cheese obtained from milk of the two groups reflected the milk fatty acid composition. The inclusion of extruded linseed in the diet of dairy ewes improved the nutraceutical properties of milk and cheese, but further researches are needed in order to better understand the relationship between basal diet and lipid supplementation in dairy ewes.