Traditional Soft Cheese Research Articles

Crafting Algerian “Jben”: a traditional soft cheese enhanced by locally derived starters

The global dairy industry faces challenges in sourcing cost-effective and suitable lactic starters for traditional cheese production. This study investigates the use of locally selected lactic starters in crafting Algerian Jben cheese, aiming to provide a sustainable alternative to imported starters. Local lactic starters comprising Lactococcus lactis, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, and Enterococcus durans were characterized by their technological properties when applied to cow's milk. The resulting cheese was compared with another cheese produced under similar conditions but using an industrial mesophilic starter, including strains of Lactococcus and Leuconostoc. Physicochemical and microbiological analyses were conducted on both cheeses, followed by sensory evaluations using the triangular and classification tests. Microbiological analyses revealed the absence of pathogenic germs or spores in both types of cheese. However, the cheese made with the industrial starter exceeded the standards for fecal coliforms and total coliforms. Titratable acidity measurements indicated comparable levels in both cheeses. Interestingly, there were no discernible differences in taste or aroma between the two types, with both being well received by tasters. In conclusion, our findings suggest that local lactic starters have the potential to replace the commercial starters currently employed in the Algerian dairy industry.

Microbiological quality assessment of milk and its fermented derivatives produced in the Sfax region, Tunisia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial quality and safety of milk and its derivatives in the Sfax area, Tunisia. Two hundred and forty samples of ultra-high temperature sterilized milk (UHT) and pasteurized milk, and its derivatives (yoghurt, fermented milk, cheese, and butter), collected from in-dustrial sale sites and traditional small-scale dairy processing units, were microbiologically analysed and the results compared to the European commission (EC, 2004) maximum limits. All the UHT steri-lized milks analysed were free of microbial contamination and packaging-stable. However, pasteurized milk by thermal treatment at 63 °C for 30 min showed that 41 and 13% of samples were contaminated with total microbial count (TMC) and Escherichia coli. In the analysed samples, total and faecal coliform bacteria (TC and FC) counts exceeded the EU limits in 17 and 9% of industrial yoghurts; 85 and 54% of traditional yoghurts, and 57 and 29% of traditional butters, respectively. Furthermore, all studied fermented milks (Lben and Raieb) exceeded the EU coliform limits. Considering the traditional soft cheese made with pasteurized milk, 61% of the analysed samples respected EU limits in TC except one sample contaminated with both of E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes detection showed that only one pasteurized milk sample was contaminated by L. mon-ocytogenes, without any Salmonella detection. Traditional producers must implement good manufac-turing practices and hazard analysis critical control points (HACCP) to ensure integral safety and quality of dairy products.

Incidence of <em/Salmonella</em> in Traditional White Cheese in Gaza markets, Palestine

Introduction: Salmonella has gained more interest because it cause food borne illnesses. Traditional soft cheese made from unpasteurized milk may contain salmonella. Methods: A descriptive study was performed, one hundred and four samples of fresh white cheese collected from street venders and the local markets to investigate the incidence of salmonella in fresh white cheese in Gaza. Results: Salmonella was found in four samples of "Traditional cheese". Differences between percentages of samples were not statistically significant. Conclusion: traditional cheese highly contaminated and usually exceeded the Palestinian Standard. The detection of Salmonella spp. suggests that traditional soft cheese commercialized in Gaza may represent a health risk for the consumers.

Acceptability of a sustainable technological innovation applied to traditional soft cheese: Information concerning the benefits for health and the environment can compensate for a lower hedonic appreciation

The objective of this work was to study the reaction of consumers to a technological innovation (a radically new manufacturing process) applied to a traditional product (cheese). A traditional cheese and two cheeses resulting from a new sustainable process were evaluated by 142 consumers. These cheeses were first evaluated blind, giving rise to liking score and willingness to pay (WTP). Following a message concerning the nature of the processes used for the three cheeses, the consumers gave their WTP once again. The last two stages of the protocol consisted of successively revealing two pieces of information concerning the benefits of the new process for health and the environment and in measuring, at each of these two stages, the WTP of the consumers. Blind tasting showed that the two new cheeses were less appreciated than the traditional cheese. The information concerning the nature of the processes used did not significantly influence the WTP of the new cheeses but caused a revaluation of the traditional cheese. Information on the benefits of the new process has reduced the gap between the WTP of the three cheeses by decreasing the WTP for the traditional cheese and increasing the WTP for the new cheeses. This information made it possible to compensate for differences in liking of 1 to 2 points on a scale of 10. However, there is heterogeneity in consumer reactions. Indeed, some consumers (23%) did not appreciate the sensory properties of the new cheeses, and despite the assimilation of the information concerning the benefits of the new process, their WTP remained lower than those of traditional cheese. These results show that there is no major opposition to the application of technological innovations to traditional products such as cheese and that information concerning health and environmental benefits is positively accepted.

Fortification of Chami (traditional soft cheese) with probiotic-loaded protein and starch microparticles: Characterization, bioactive properties, and storage stability

This study aimed to appraise the effects of probiotics (Pediococcus pentosaceus) microencapsulation on their stability and survivability in Chami (Cheese) as carrier matrix. Thus, camel milk proteins and wheat starch were used as wall materials for probiotics microencapsulation. The results showed that upon encapsulation, the bacterial death cycles of probiotic-loaded microparticles were remarkably reduced, reaching 0.90 Log CFU/g and 1.49 Log CFU/g in camel milk and wheat starch microcapsules, respectively, vs. 12.33 Log CFU/g for probiotic free cells. Camel milk proteins-encapsulated probiotics revealed higher cell viability (98.6%) than those of wheat starch-encapsulated probiotic cells (70.7%) when subjected to simulated gastrointestinal digestion, suggesting that camel milk could be a promising novel matrix for probiotic encapsulation. Scanning electronic microscopic images displayed small round shaped particles of probiotic cells embedded in the structural matrix of both camel milk proteins and wheat starch. Free and encapsulated probiotic microparticles, especially probiotic-camel milk proteins microparticles, incorporated in Chami, exhibited improved viability and bioactivity, in terms of α-glucosidase, α-amylase and DPP-IV inhibitory activities during 9 days of Chami storage at 4 °C. These results suggest that probiotics encapsulated in camel milk proteins and/or wheat starch could be potentially delivered in a novel food delivery system such as Chami.

Control of Listeria monocytogenes growth and virulence in a traditional soft cheese model system based on lactic acid bacteria and a whey protein hydrolysate with antimicrobial activity

“Torta del Casar” is a Spanish soft-ripened cheese made with sheep's raw milk and subjected to a short ripening process, which favors the growth of pathogenic microorganisms including Listeria monocytogenes. The development of strategies to control pathogens and minimize health risks associated with the presence of L. monocytogenes in these products is of great interest. In this regard, the anti-Listeria activity of a whey protein hydrolysate (ProH) alone or combined with six lactic acid bacteria strains isolated from cheese was evaluated in this study as a biocontrol strategy using a “Torta del Casar” cheese-based medium. The most active combinations of lactic acid bacteria assayed induced a reduction higher than two logarithmic units in the growth of L. monocytogenes (serotype 4b) compared to their respective control when they were co-inoculated in “Torta del Casar” cheese-based medium at 7 °C for 7 days. In addition, the observed downregulation of some key virulence genes of L. monocytogenes suggests that the strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum B2 alone and combined with the strain Lactiplantibacillus spp. B4 are good candidates to be used as biocontrol agents against L. monocytogenes growth in traditional soft cheeses based on raw milk during their storage at refrigeration temperatures.

Identification and selection of yeast with functional properties for future application in soft paste cheese

This study investigated the yeast community in traditional soft cheese from the Extremadura region to be able to establish possible beneficial properties for human health. A total of 149 yeast isolates were characterised at strain level using the ISSR-PCR technique with the primer (GTG)5. Forty-three different genetic profiles were obtained, and the yeasts were grouped into 12 species allowing their typification at strain level. Regarding probiotic tests, 54 strains were selected for the study of probiotic properties based on genetic profile and origin. All of them showed adequate tolerance to the most restrictive stomach and bile salts conditions, although strains of Kluyveromyces lactis and Pichia fermentans presented better ability to survive to these stresses. P. fermentans was also the species that showed better antioxidant, auto-aggregation and hydrophobicity capacity, at the same time as antimicrobial activity, followed by Kluyveromyces sp. strains. Thus, considering the probiotic characteristics studied, 15 strains, P. fermentans 1826, 1865, 1859, 1911,1913, 1916 and 1938; P. kudriavzevii 1801, 1809 and 1832; K. marxianus 1886, 1917 and 1919; D. hansenii 1860; and Y. lipolytica 1961, are promising potential probiotic candidates for developing a functional cheese.

Enterotoxigenic Profiles of Bacillus Cereus Isolated from Manufacturing Steps of Traditional Soft Cheese Plant

Microbial contamination of soft cheese may originate from various sources such as contaminated equipment or from the workers themselves during cheese production. The study was aimed to characterize Bacillus cereus using culture-based and PCR techniques among 285 samples along Damietta and Kareish cheese producing line in a small cheese plant in Alexandria governorate including raw milk, cheese, whey, rennet, water, and swabs from all contacts surfaces. Overall of 10.90 % and 10 % among raw milk, cheese, whey, rennet, water, and swabs from all contacts surfaces were positive for Bacillus species in Damietta and Kareish cheese producing line. The incidence of Bacillus cereus in receiving raw milk, curd, whey, fresh cheese samples were 6.66, 13.33 and 13.33%, respectively for traditional Damietta cheese plant. Bacillus cereus is found in only 6.66 % in receiving raw milk, pasteurized milk and fresh cheese samples for traditional Kareish cheese plant. Hbl, Nhe and Cytk genes were detected in Bacillus cereus isolated from curd and Damietta cheese. Nhe gene was detected in Bacillus cereus isolated from raw milk, pasteurized milk and Kareish cheese While, Ces gene was detected only in Bacillus cereus isolated from fresh Kareish cheese samples. The prevalence of Eneterotoxigenic virulent B. cereus poses public health threats to consumers. HACCP should be implemented for all steps of manufacture in order to produce a safe and good quality dairy product.

Energy and Carbon Impact of Precision Livestock Farming Technologies Implementation in the Milk Chain: From Dairy Farm to Cheese Factory

Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) is being developed in livestock farms to relieve the human workload and to help farmers to optimize production and management procedure. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the consequences in energy intensity and the related carbon impact, from dairy farm to cheese factory, due to the implementation of a real-time milk analysis and separation (AfiMilk MCS) in milking parlors. The research carried out involved three conventional dairy farms, the collection and delivery of milk from dairy farms to cheese factory and the processing line of a traditional soft cheese into a dairy factory. The AfiMilk MCS system installed in the milking parlors allowed to obtain a large number of information related to the quantity and quality of milk from each individual cow and to separate milk with two different composition (one with high coagulation properties and the other one with low coagulation properties), with different percentage of separation. Due to the presence of an additional milkline and the AfiMilk MCS components, the energy requirements and the related environmental impact at farm level were slightly higher, among 1.1% and 4.4%. The logistic of milk collection was also significantly reorganized in view of the collection of two separate type of milk, hence, it leads an increment of 44% of the energy requirements. The logistic of milk collection and delivery represents the process which the highest incidence in energy consumption occurred after the installation of the PLF technology. Thanks to the availability of milk with high coagulation properties, the dairy plant, produced traditional soft cheese avoiding the standardization of the formula, as a result, the energy uses decreased about 44%, while considering the whole chain, the emissions of carbon dioxide was reduced by 69%. In this study, the application of advance technologies in milking parlors modified not only the on-farm management but mainly the procedure carried out in cheese making plant. This aspect makes precision livestock farming implementation unimportant technology that may provide important benefits throughout the overall milk chain, avoiding about 2.65 MJ of primary energy every 100 kg of processed milk.

Ripening changes in Kopanisti cheese

SummaryChanges in a Greek traditional soft cheese, Kopanisti, were followed during ripening. Mature cheese contained > 52% moisture, 22·7% fat and 19·3% protein. The as-casein content was hydrolysed faster than the β-casein so that in mature cheese only 23% and 35% respectively of these proteins remained intact. Soluble N, TCA-soluble N, amino acid N and NH3 were present to the extent of 28·9, 24·6, 14·3 and 6·6% of total N respectively. Leucine, γ-aminobutyric acid, valine and alanine were the dominant free amino acids in the mature cheese. Lipolysis was intense and the total free fatty acid content of ripe cheese was ∽ 50 g/kg cheese. The rate of liberation of short-chain (C4–C8) fatty acids was higher than that of the long-chain. The characteristic rich flavour and peppery taste appeared after 16 d ripening and the best overall cheese quality was produced after 32 d maturation.