Thodis P, Kosma IS, Nesseris K, Badeka AV, Kontominas MG. Evaluation of a New Bulk Packaging Container for the Ripening of Feta Cheese.
Foods 2023;
12:foods12112176. [PMID:
37297421 DOI:
10.3390/foods12112176]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, the quality characteristics of Feta cheese were investigated as a function of the packaging container (a stainless-steel tank (SST), a wooden barrel (WB), and a tin can (TC)) and ripening time. The results showed that the Feta cheese's pH, moisture, and lactose decreased, while fat, protein, and salt increased (p < 0.05) during ripening with SST and WB, showing similar behaviors versus that of the TC container. For the proteolysis indices, % TN,% WSN, 12% TCA, and 5% PTA showed the highest values (p < 0.05) for cheeses packaged in WB, followed by those in SST and TC, with all increasing (p < 0.05) during ripening. The most abundant odor-active volatiles were free fatty acids, alcohols, and esters following the order SST > WB > TC on day 60. On day 60, the cheeses packaged in SST and WB showed higher (p < 0.05) hardness and fracturability values, as well as aroma scores, compared to those in TC, with both parameter values increasing with the ripening time.
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