Parmigiano Reggiano Research Articles

Characterization of the peptide fraction from digested Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and its effect on growth of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria

Parmigiano Reggiano (PR) is a raw-milk, hard cooked, long-ripened cheese of high quality and nutritional value. Long ripening times allow for extensive proteolysis of milk proteins to yield a number of peptides, some of which have potential healthy bioactive properties. This study aimed to: i) determine the peptide profile of PR cheese subjected to simulated gastrointestinal transit; ii) evaluate in vitro whether the peptides could support growth of beneficial microbial groups of the gut microbiota. PR samples were subjected to in vitro digestion, simulating oral, gastric, and duodenal transit. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry revealed that digestion caused the disappearance of the serum proteins and most of the original peptides, while 71 new peptides were found, all ranging from 2 to 24 residues. The digests were given as sole nitrogen source to pure cultures of Bifidobacterium (27 strains) and Lactobacillus (30 strains), and to bioreactor batch cultures of human gut microbiota. Most of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli grew more abundantly on PR digests than on the control peptone, and exhibited strain- or species-specific peptide preferences, as evidenced by principal component analysis. Bifidobacteria generally consumed a greater amount of peptides than lactobacilli, in terms of both the mean peptide consumption and the number of peptides consumed. For bifidobacteria, peptide preferences were very diverse, but a core of 10 peptides with 4 or 5 residues were consumed by all the strains. Lactobacilli behaved more homogenously and consumed nearly only the same 6 peptides, mostly dipeptides. The peptide preferences of the different groups of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli could not be ascribed to features such as the length of the peptide or the abundance of residues with peculiar properties (hydrophobicity, polarity, charge) and likely depend on specific proteases and/or peptide transporters preferentially recognizing specific sequence motifs. The cultures of human colonic microbiota confirmed that PR digest promoted the growth of commensal bifidobacteria. This study demonstrated that peptides derived from simulated gastrointestinal digestion of PR supported the growth of most lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.

Identification of the Geographic Origin of Parmigiano Reggiano (P.D.O.) Cheeses Deploying Non-Targeted Mass Spectrometry and Chemometrics.

Parmigiano Reggiano is an Italian product with a protected designation of origin (P.D.O.). It is an aged hard cheese made from raw milk. P.D.O. products are protected by European regulations. Approximately 3 million wheels are produced each year, and the product attracts a relevant premium price due to its quality and all around the world well known typicity. Due to the high demand that exceeds the production, several fraudulent products can be found on the market. The rate of fraud is estimated between 20% and 40%, the latter predominantly in the grated form. We have developed a non-target method based on Liquid Chomatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS) that allows the discrimination of Parmigiano Reggiano from non-authentic products with milk from different geographical origins or products, where other aspects of the production process do not comply with the rules laid down in the production specifications for Parmeggiano Reggiano. Based on a database created with authentic samples provided by the Consortium of Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese, a reliable classification model was built. The overall classification capabilities of this non-targeted method was verified on 32 grated cheese samples. The classification was 87.5% accurate.

Cheese as Functional Food: The Example of Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano

Italian hard cooked types of cheese, like Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano, are characterised by positive nutritional qualities. In fact, they contain substances that have particular biological activities, and therefore they can be fully considered, according to the definition given by the European Unit, as 'functional' foods. This short review concisely describes these components and the beneficial effects related to their activities. The description of the biologically active components has been organised in the following paragraphs: protein and peptides, fat and lipids, carbohydrates and prebiotics, probiotic bacteria, vitamins, mineral salts, and components of dairy products active in disease prevention. In particular, several known bioactive peptides were found in Parmigiano Reggiano cheese samples: for example, phosphopeptides, which are known for their mineral-binding capacity and vehiculation activity, peptides with immunomodulatory activity, and angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitory peptides with anti-hypertensive effects. Among lipids, the role of conjugated linoleic acid and other fatty acids present in these cheese types was taken into consideration. The presence of oligosaccharides with prebiotic properties and probiotic bacteria was also described. Finally, particular emphasis was given to highly available calcium and its impact on bone health.

A Novel MOS Nanowire Gas Sensor Device (S3) and GC-MS-Based Approach for the Characterization of Grated Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese.

To determine the originality of a typical Italian Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, it is crucial to define and characterize its quality, ripening period, and geographical origin. Different analytical techniques have been applied aimed at studying the organoleptic and characteristic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) profile of this cheese. However, most of the classical methods are time consuming and costly. The aim of this work was to illustrate a new simple, portable, fast, reliable, non-destructive, and economic sensor device S3 based on an array of six metal oxide semiconductor nanowire gas sensors to assess and discriminate the quality ranking of grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese samples and to identify the VOC biomarkers using a headspace SPME-GC-MS. The device could clearly differentiate cheese samples varying in quality and ripening time when the results were analyzed by multivariate statistical analysis involving principal component analysis (PCA). Similarly, the volatile constituents of Parmigiano Reggiano identified were consistent with the compounds intimated in the literature. The obtained results show the applicability of an S3 device combined with SPME-GC-MS and sensory evaluation for a fast and high-sensitivity analysis of VOCs in Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and for the quality control of this class of cheese.

Case Study: Farm characteristics and total mixed ration particle size issues on Parmigiano Reggiano farms in northern Italy

ABSTRACT A convenience sample of 20 farms in the geographic bounds of the Parmigiano Reggiano cheese producing region of northern Italy were studied. All farms used a TMR feeding system consisting of all dry hay (primarily alfalfa and grass) diets and adhering to the specific limitations of feeds as described by the Parmigiano Reggiano cheese consortium. Farms were visited twice for a survey of general farm characteristics and feeding management practices and collection of feed intake and samples at 0, 8, and 24 h after feeding to measure particle size characteristics of TMR in the feed bunk at each time. Many farms added 1 to 10 L of water per cow to the TMR in an attempt to reduce sorting and enhance intake. Based on particle size analysis it appeared that cows were not sorting diets to any great degree either with or without added water. However, it is likely that adding water to the TMR enabled cows to eat faster, thereby producing less saliva per kilogram of feed, and helped to create a situation for more slug feeding in the warm summer months of this study when the water-added TMR heated due to molding several hours after feeding. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.41) between the amount of added water and the percentage of cows on a farm that had an inversion of milk fat and protein or low fat percentage. Farms using pelleted concentrates also had less milk fat (r = −0.41). Overall there appeared to be no advantage of adding water to reduce TMR sorting on these farms.

Detection and identification of yeasts in natural whey starter for Parmigiano Reggiano cheese-making

The yeast populations of natural whey starter (NWS) samples from dairies of PDO Parmigiano Reggiano cheese production area were enumerated and characterised. Yeasts were detected with an average value higher than 3 log cfu mL−1 and in a case study we highlighted the correlation between the yeast growth and incorrect management of NWS fermentation. Isolated strains showed the typical Kluyveromyces marxianus PCR-RFLP pattern and D1/D2 sequences obtained displayed similarity values ranging from 99% to 100% for the same species. RAPD-PCR fingerprinting revealed 14 biotypes. The ability of several strains to grow at 52 °C demonstrates that the yeasts may be perfectly integrated into the ecosystem of NWS. This work confirms that yeasts are part of the NWS secondary microbiota, composed by wild strains with relevant biotechnological interest.

An itinerant sensory approach to investigate consumers' perception and acceptability at a food exhibition

In a food exhibition where several producers of the same product category are present at the same time, consumers usually have the opportunity to taste several free samples of the same product type, thus they can experience and compare the sensory characteristics of each and evaluate their liking for each sample tasted. This study assessed the potential of an itinerant sensory data collection in understanding the consumers' perception and acceptance of cheese during a multiple tasting experience at a food exhibition. Subjects tasted seven samples of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese aged for different times (24 and 36months) at seven producer stands and recorded their evaluations using tablets, on which an application specifically developed for this study was installed. This evaluation situation was defined as “pseudo-natural,” in opposition to the “natural” and the “naturalistic” settings. The itinerant sensory session comprised a liking test, a rate-all-that-apply (RATA) test using a just about right (JAR) scale, a food pairing test, and a questionnaire. Consumers significantly (p<0.05) discriminated the cheeses as a function of the aging time, describing with different attributes the 24months (sweetness, fresh fruit, grass, yogurt, butter flavors, elasticity, and humidity) and the 36months (saltiness, bitterness, sourness, spicy, aromatic herbs, cheese rind flavors, crumbliness, granularity, hardness, and hotness) aged products. The combined application of regression models, Penalty-Lift analysis, and decision tree models in investigating the relationships between liking and the RATA data, provided results revealing that the attributes elasticity, sweetness, humidity, fresh fruit, and butter were the main drivers of liking. Whereas, the attributes sourness, bitterness, and hardness were the main drivers of dislike. Therefore, even though no significant differences in terms of liking were observed among the tested cheeses, consumers preferred the attributes more frequently perceived in the least aged products. In conclusion, the presented itinerant sensory approach had provided meaningful information to understand the consumers' cheese perception and acceptability. In the future, it could advantageously be applied for studying food perception in other situations in which subjects naturally choose or consume several products while freely moving from one to another (e.g. self-service restaurant).

Analysis, Simulation and Optimization of the Milking Process in a Cowshed for the Production of Parmigiano Reggiano

Abstract The aim of this study is to optimize the milking process of a cowshed, located near Parma (Italy), which provides milk to some dairy companies, for the production of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. The ultimate goal of the analysis is to reduce the time required for milking operations, thus optimizing the whole management of the farm processes. A discrete-event simulation model is designed under Simul8™ to reproduce the main processes of the cowshed and the movements of the animals inside the cowshed, before and after milking. The model exploits real data collected from the direct observation of the farm and is validated by comparing the results provided with the real performance of the milking activities. Then, it is used to test two new configurations of the cowshed layout and to assess their performance, in terms of the total time required for milking. Interesting savings in the total milking time are found.

Matrix effect on baked milk tolerance in children with IgE cow milk allergy

BackgroundChildren with IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy (IgE-CMA) often tolerate baked milk within a wheat matrix. In our study we evaluated the impact of wheat matrix and of little standardised cooking procedures on tolerance of baked milk. We also tested tolerance versus parmigiano reggiano (PR) and whey-based partially hydrolysed formula (pHF). MethodsForty-eight children with IgE-CMA were enrolled. They underwent prick-by-prick (PbP) and open oral food challenge (OFC) with baked cow's milk (CM), both within a wheat matrix (an Italian cake named ciambellone) and without (in a liquid form), with PR and with pHF. After a passed OFC, children continued to eat the food tolerated. In particular, after passed OFC with ciambellone, children were allowed to eat any food containing CM within a wheat matrix, with the only condition that it was baked at 180°C for at least 30min. Three months after, parents were asked to answer a survey. Results81% of children tolerated ciambellone, 56% liquid baked CM, 78% PR and 82% pHF. Negative predictive value of PbP performed with tested foods was 100%. No IgE-mediated adverse reactions were detected at follow-up carried out by the survey. ConclusionsWheat matrix effect on tolerance of baked milk was relevant in slightly less than half of cases. If our results are confirmed by larger studies, a negative PbP will allow patients to eat processed CM without undergoing OFC. Moreover, in order to guarantee tolerance towards baked milk, strict standardised cooking procedures do not seem to be necessary.

Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis for Assessing the Authenticity of Food of Animal Origin.

The main elemental constituents (H, C, N, O, and S) of bio-organic material have different stable isotopes (2 H, 1 H; 13 C,12 C; 15 N,14 N; 18 O,17 O,16 O; 36 S, 34 S, 33 S, and 32 S). Isotopic ratios can be measured precisely and accurately using dedicated analytical techniques such as isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). Analysis of these ratios shows potential for assessing the authenticity of food of animal origin. In this review, IRMS analysis of food of animal origin and variability factors related to stable isotope ratios in animals are described. The study also lists examples of application of stable isotope ratio analysis to meat, dairy products, fish, and shellfish and emphasizes the strengths and weaknesses of the technique. Geographical, climatic, pedological, geological, botanical, and agricultural factors affect the stable isotope ratios (SIR) of bio-elements, and SIR variations are ultimately incorporated into animal tissue through eating, drinking, breathing, and exchange with the environment, being recorded in the resulting foods. SIR analysis was capable of determining geographical origin, animal diet, and the production system (such as organic/conventional or wild/farmed) for pork, beef, lamb, poultry, milk, butter, cheese, fish, and shellfish. In the case of the hard PDO (protected designations of origin) cheeses Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano it is also used in real-life situations to assess the authenticity of grated and shredded cheese on the market.

Effects of geographic area, feedstock, temperature, and operating time on microbial communities of six full-scale biogas plants

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of different animal feedings operated in two distinct PDO (protected designation of origin) cheese production areas (Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano) on the microbiome of six full-scale biogas plants, by means of Illumina sequencing and qPCR techniques. The effects of feedstock (cattle slurry manure, energy crops, agro-industrial by-products), temperature (mesophilic/thermophilic), and operating time were also examined, as were the relationships between the predominant bacterial and archaeal taxa and process parameters. The different feedstocks and temperatures strongly affected the microbiomes. A more biodiverse archaeal population was highlighted in Parmigiano Reggiano area plants, suggesting an influence of the different animal feedings. Methanosarcina and Methanosaeta showed an opposite distribution among anaerobic plants, with the former found to be related to ammonium concentration. The Methanoculleus genus was more abundant in the thermophilic digester whereas representation of the Thermotogales order correlated with hydraulic retention time.

Multilocus analysis reveals large genetic diversity in Kluyveromyces marxianus strains isolated from Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino di Farindola cheeses

In the present study, we have analysed the genetic diversity in Kluyveromyces marxianus isolated from Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino di Farindola cheesemaking environment. Molecular typing methods inter-RTL fingerprint and mtDNA RFLPs, as well as, sequence diversity and heterozygosity in the intergenic region between KmSSB1 and KmRIO2 genes and analysis of the mating locus were applied to 54 K. marxianus strains. Inter-RTL fingerprint revealed a large degree of genetic heterogeneity and clustering allowed differentiation of K. marxianus strains from different geographical origins. In general, inter-LTR profiles were more discriminating than RFLPs of mtDNA; however our results also indicate that both techniques could be complementary unveiling different degrees of genetic diversity. Sequence analysis of the intergenic region between KmSSB1 and KmRIO2 genes revealed 26 variable positions in which a double peak could be observed in the sequence chromatogram. Further analysis revealed the presence of heterozygous strains in the K. marxianus population isolated from Parmigiano Reggiano. On the other hand, all strains isolated from Pecorino di Farindola were homozygous. Two very different groups of haplotypes could be observed as well as mixtures between them. Phylogenetic reconstruction divided K. marxianus dairy strains into two separate populations. A few heterozygous strains in an intermediate position between them could also be observed. Mating type locus analysis revealed a large population of diploid strains containing both MATa and MATα alleles and few haploid strains, most of them presenting the MATα allele. Different scenarios explaining the presence and maintaining of homozygous and heterozygous diploids as well as hybrids between them in the Parmigiano Reggiano K. marxianus population are proposed. A principal component analysis supported the large differences between K. marxianus isolated from Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino di Farindola.

Identification of casein peptides in plasma of subjects after a cheese-enriched diet

Despite several studies support the functionality of casein peptides in vitro, a gap of knowledge still exist about their bioavailability.In this pilot study the bioavailability of phosphopeptides (CPPs) was investigated in four healthy subjects who consumed for one week 100g/day of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese after one week of a dairy products-free diet. CPPs were detected in plasma samples from fasting subjects after the cheese-enriched diet and peptides were detected variously in almost all the 4 samples. Some αs1- and αs2-CN-derived CPPs, such as αs1-CN (f43–52 and f43–50) and αs2-CN (f8–12), (f7–12) and (f6–12) as well as four non-phosphorylated peptides belonging to the C-terminal end of β-CN (f193–209, f194–209, f200–209) were detected in plasma samples submitted to extraction and enrichment by hydroxyapatite (HA) chromatography followed by MALDI-TOF and nano LC-ESI/MS/MS analysis.Data indicated that casein oligopeptides are bioavailable after a continued intake of cheese. Future studies are warranted to ascertain this finding on a wider population and to clarify the mechanisms behind CPPs bioaccessibility and absorption.

Validation of Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Aroma Authenticity, Categorized through the Use of an Array of Semiconductors Nanowire Device (S3).

Parmigiano Reggiano (PR) cheese is one of the most important Italian Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheeses and it is exported worldwide. As a PDO, the product is supposed to have distinctive sensory characteristics. In this work we present the use of the Small Gas Sensor System (S3) device for the identification of specific PR markers, as compared to classical chemical techniques, such as Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry solid-phase microextraction (SPME-GC-MS). Markers are used to determine the percent of grated pulp and rind commercially utilized. The S3 device is equipped with an array of six metal oxide semiconductor (MOX) gas sensors, three of them with a nanowire (NW) morphology and the other three in the form of thin films. PDO can cover grated PR cheese as well, but only if made with whole cheese. Grated PR cheese must be characterized by the absence of additives and no more than 18% crust. The achieved results strongly encourage the use of S3 for a rapid identification of the percentage of grated PR.

Aflatoxin B1 Risk Management in Parmigiano Reggiano Dairy Cow Feed.

This study investigated aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination in dairy cow feed and the risk management of AFB1 content in concentrates undertaken by feed industries in the Parmigiano Reggiano area. Data on aflatoxin contamination risk management applied in 29 feed industries were collected and the AFB1 content of 70 feed samples was analysed. Data were collected within the framework of a quality control programme promoted by the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium in 2013 and 2014. Audit results showed that the control procedures to prevent AFB1 contamination mainly focused on maize and its by-products. AFB1 concentration resulted lower than 5 ppb [legal European Union (EU) limit] in all samples; in one out of 70 samples, AFB1 content was 3.8 ppb and in all the other samples it was lower than 3 ppb. Results showed that AFB1 risk management applied by Italian feed industries effectively monitors AFB1 levels in feed below the EU legal limit.

Quality Evaluation of Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese by a Novel Nanowire Device S3 and Evaluation of the VOCs Profile

A novel nanowire-based sensor device is presented for the quality evaluation of the Italian Parmigiano Reggiano (PR) cheese. As a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) trademark product, the cheese should follow stringent manufacturing guidelines and must exhibit the representative aromatic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) biomarkers and sensory profile. Any alteration in these features indicates an adulteration of the product as many low quality and substandard PR cheeses are widely available in the market. Different types of grated cheese samples were analyzed and the VOCs were characterized by evaluating the samples with the portable sensor device S3 and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry technique. The ability of S3 device to distinguish the cheese quality demonstrates its suitability for monitoring the quality control and authenticity of PR cheese.

Whey starter addition during maturation of evening milk: effects on some characteristics of cheese milk and Parmigiano–Reggiano cheese

Cheese milk “maturation” during natural creaming in large flat vat is a critical step in the production of Parmigiano–Reggiano cheese. Thanks to an improved management, during the last years, a generalized reduction of mesophilic microbial counts has occurred, which did not favour an adequate increase in milk acidity during natural creaming. For this reason, some cheesemakers have introduced the practice to add a rate of natural whey starter in active fermentation in the evening milk to favourize its “maturation”. The aim of this work was to verify the effects of this practice on the characteristics of Parmigiano–Reggiano milk and on some chemical, microbiological and sensory properties of the ripened cheese. Thirty-six cheesemaking trials were carried out in a dairy: 12 with 0.2% of young whey starter addition, 12 with 0.4% and 12 as control. The addition of young whey starter improved the coagulation properties of the cheese milk and did not affect the normal succession of thermophilic and mesophilic lactic acid bacteria during the cheese ripening. The chemical composition of the ripened cheeses was not affected by the practice of whey starter addition. From the sensory point of view, the addition of natural whey starter improved the compliance scores and decreased the defects, as eyes and cracks. This work confirmed the empirical observations of some cheesemakers. The adoption of this technique has considerable technological importance, improving the coagulation properties of the milk and the sensory characteristics of the cheese.

Release of angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitor peptides during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of Parmigiano Reggiano PDO cheese and their absorption through an in vitro model of intestinal epithelium

The occurrence of 8 bovine casein-derived peptides (VPP, IPP, RYLGY, RYLG, AYFYPEL, AYFYPE, LHLPLP, and HLPLP) reported as angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitors (ACE-I) was investigated in the 3-kDa ultrafiltered water-soluble extract (WSE) of Parmigiano Reggiano (PR) cheese samples by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry via an electrospray ionization source. Only VPP, IPP, LHLPLP, and HLPLP were revealed in the WSE, and their total amount was in the range of 8.46 to 21.55mg/kg of cheese. Following in vitro static gastrointestinal digestion, the same ACE-I peptides along with the newly formed AYFYPEL and AYFYPE were found in the 3 kDa WSE of PR digestates. Digestates presented high amounts (1,880–3,053mg/kg) of LHLPLP, whereas the remaining peptides accounted for 69.24 to 82.82mg/kg. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values decreased from 7.92±2.08 in undigested cheese to 3.20±1.69 after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. The 3-kDa WSE of digested cheeses were used to study the transport of the 8 ACE-I peptides across the monolayers of the Caco-2 cell culture grown on a semipermeable membrane of the transwells. After 1h of incubation, 649.20±148.85mg/kg of LHLPLP remained in the apical compartment, whereas VPP, IPP, AYFYPEL, AYFYPE, and HLPLP accounted in total for less than 36.78mg/kg. On average, 0.6% of LHLPLP initially present in the digestates added to the apical compartment were transported intact to the basolateral chamber after the same incubation time. Higher transport rate (2.9%) was ascertained for the peptide HLPLP. No other intact ACE-I peptides were revealed in the basolateral compartment. For the first time, these results demonstrated that the ACE-I peptides HLPLP and LHLPLP present in the in vitro digestates of PR cheese are partially absorbed through an in vitro model of human intestinal epithelium.

Temperature Analysis of the Water Supply System of a Dairy Company by Means of a Simulation Model

Abstract This paper builds upon the study by Marchini et al. (2014, International Journal of Food Engineering, pp. 557–571) and represents the second part of a research project whose general aim was to analyse and optimize, through simulation, the water distribution system of a dairy company. In the first paper, the authors focused on finding opportunities for recycling water in the distribution system of the targeted company, i.e. a dairy company located near Parma (Italy) and manufacturing Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and butter. In this work, we go ahead by analysing the thermal properties (such as, primarily, the temperature) of the water used inside the distribution system and of that discharged. To this purpose, we add the relevant thermal equations to the MS ExcelTM simulation model developed in the first study. The resulting model is able to derive the temperature trend of water inside all the tanks of the distribution system. Situations where the temperature of the water used for rinsing is higher than the maximum allowed value of approx. 25°C are also highlighted and suggestions for improvement are proposed.

Chromosome arrangement, differentiation of growth kinetics and volatile molecule profiles in Kluyveromyces marxianus strains from Italian cheeses

Thirty-nine strains of Kluyveromyces marxianus from Pecorino di Farindola cheese in comparison with 3 strains from Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, 1 from fermented milk, 3 from cow whey and two type strains K. marxianus CBS 834T and Kluyveromyces lactis CBS 683T were tested for genetic and metabolic characteristics. Intraspecific diversity of chromosome arrangements was evaluated by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis. Among K. marxianus strains chromosome polymorphisms were evident with 11 patterns that differed in size and number of the chromosomal bands. The number of the bands varied from 4 to 7 with sizes ranging from about 1.0 to 2.7Mb. Twelve strains were selected for determining their growth capacity and volatile compound production in two wheys (raw cheese whey and ricotta cheese whey) under limited oxygen availability. The growth kinetics highlighted four different biotypes and the influence of whey composition on K. marxianus development. The main volatile compounds detected after the growth were alcohols, acids, esters, ketones and aldehydes. Ethanol was the most abundant in both wheys. Aldehydes and other minor compounds were produced only when the strains were inoculated in ricotta cheese whey, while esters, butanoic, decanoic and octanoic acids were qualitatively and quantitatively more present in raw cheese whey. This study highlights a great genetic and metabolic biodiversity within Pecorino di Farindola K. marxianus strains and it could be exploited to improve the knowledge of this yeast for biotechnological uses.