Cheese: physical, biochemical, and nutritional aspects

Regulation of the pleiotropic transcriptional regulator CodY on the conversion of branched-chain amino acids into branched-chain aldehydes in Lactococcus lactis

IMPORTANCE

Branched-chain aldehydes are the primary compounds that contribute to the nutty flavor in cheddar cheese. Lactococcus lactis, which is often applied as primary starter culture, is a significant contributor to the nutty flavor of cheddar cheese due to its ability of conversion of BCAAs into branched-chain aldehydes. In the present study, we found that the regulatory role of CodY is crucial for the conversion. CodY acts as a pleiotropic transcriptional regulator via binding to various regulatory regions of key genes. The results presented valuable knowledge into the role of CodY on the regulation and biosynthetic pathway of branched-chain amino acids and the related aldehydes. Furthermore, it provided new insight for increasing the nutty flavor produced during the manufacture and ripening of cheese.

Effect of Process and Formulation Variables on the Structural and Physical Properties in Cream Cheese using GDL Acidulant

We report on the properties of analogue cream cheeses prepared using glucono delta-lactone (GDL) acidulant, notably the impact of particular processing and formulation variables, (homogenisation pressure, coagulation pH and temperature, and stabiliser level) on cream cheese physical, material and microstructural properties. Protein–protein and protein-fat interactions were seen to be the primary structural contributors to the physical properties of cream cheese. Cream cheese microstructure and its properties demonstrated well-defined correlations to specific and controllable processing elements within the manufacturing process, showing significance in interactions between parameters in multivariable linear regression analysis (P < 0.05). Summarising the effect of processing variables on key cheese properties, we observed that a progressive reduction in fat particle size of cheese milk arising from increasing homogenisation pressures was seen to increase the total surface area of fat that could be incorporated into the curd during coagulation. The greater extent of fat-fat and fat-proteins interactions during coagulation provided a reinforcing effect on the microstructure of the final cream cheese, with a corresponding increase in compressive fracture stress, shear storage modulus (G′) and shear loss modulus (G″). In terms of other processing variables, cream cheese firmness was also observed to progressively increase through lowering of coagulation pH from 5.13 to 4.33. Increasing coagulation temperature from 58 °C to 78 °C similarly caused an increase in cheese firmness. Finally, increasing the levels of added stabiliser were shown to correlate with increasing cheese firmness. Similar correlations could be observed in relation to physical properties, notably forced expressible serum separation. This model cream cheese preparation method has provided a useful model system for relating food structure to material and functional properties. In addition, it has the advantage of being able to rapidly screen many formulation and process variables because it is faster than the traditional cheesemaking. This study showed that the adjustment of process and formulation variables, either in isolation or in combination, in the manufacture of cream cheese can significantly influence the final material and textural properties of the product, thereby enabling controllable functional attributes capable of meeting different customer needs.

Dairy Food Intake Is Not Associated with Measures of Bone Microarchitecture in Men and Women: The Framingham Osteoporosis Study

Previous studies reported that dairy foods are associated with higher areal bone mineral density (BMD) in older adults. However, data on bone strength and bone microarchitecture are lacking. We determined the association of dairy food intake (milk, yogurt, cheese, milk + yogurt, and milk + yogurt + cheese, servings/week) with high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) measures of bone (failure load, cortical BMD, cortical thickness, trabecular BMD, and trabecular number). This cross-sectional study included participants with diet from a food frequency questionnaire (in 2005–2008 and/or 1998–2001) and measurements of cortical and trabecular BMD and microarchitecture at the distal tibia and radius (from HR-pQCT in 2012–2015). Sex-specific multivariable linear regression estimated the association of dairy food intake (energy adjusted) with each bone measure adjusting for covariates. Mean age was 64 (SD 8) years and total milk + yogurt + cheese intake was 10.0 (SD 6.6) and 10.6 (6.4) servings/week in men and women, respectively. No significant associations were observed for any of the dairy foods and bone microarchitecture measures except for cheese intake, which was inversely associated with cortical BMD at the radius (p = 0.001) and tibia (p = 0.002) in women alone. In this cohort of primarily healthy older men and women, dairy intake was not associated with bone microarchitecture. The findings related to cheese intake and bone microarchitecture in women warrant further investigation.

Formation of Free Amino Acids and Bioactive Peptides During the Ripening of Bulgarian White Brined Cheeses

Bioactive peptides and free amino acids obtained from Bulgarian goat, sheep and cow white brined cheeses, produced with same starter culture, during ripening were evaluated. The concentration of total free amino acids was increasing in all tested cheeses in the first 30 days of ripening. In the next 30 days in sheep cheeses, the concentration increased as recorded for most of the amino acids. Amino acids with highest levels detected throughout the whole ripening period in goat, sheep and cow cheese types were leucine, phenylalanine, arginine, valine and lysine. MALDI-TOF analysis of evaluated cheeses resulted in detection of production of bioactive peptide derivates from milk proteins: 51 peptides in cow, 31 peptides in sheep and 22 peptides in goat cheeses. Peptide αs1-CN (f35-40) was found only in cow cheese. In cow cheese, higher intensity was detected for αs1-CN (f1-9) and β-CN (f194-203 and f203-219) peptides. In goat cheese was recorded αs1-CN peptides, and there was a tendency to increase the peptides released from β-CN, with the highest intensity of fragments αs1-CN (f1-9 and f24-30) and β-CN (f194-209 and f203-219). In sheep cheese, the recorded primarily peptides were αs1-CN and peptides released from β-CN. Different bioactive peptides, derivate from casein, were detected as follows: 6 peptides were ACE inhibitory peptides, 3 peptides were αS1-casokinins, 1 peptide was caseinophopeptide, 1 peptide was immunopeptide. Twelve bioactive peptides were recorded to be derivates from β-casein: 1 peptide was ACE peptide, 4 peptides were caseino-phosphopeptides, 1 peptide was immunopeptide, 1 peptide β-casokinin, 1 antibacterial peptide and 4 multifunctional peptides. Of peptides released by proteolysis of αS2-CN was found 1 bioactive peptide with antimicrobial activity. On our best knowledge, this paper contributes new data about free amino acids and bioactive peptides in the connection between type of milk and period for cheese ripening in the Bulgarian goat, sheep and cow white brined cheeses.

Evaluation of Calcium Binding Capacity of Chelating Agents in Calcium Carbonate Suspension and Effects on Calcium Distribution of Calcium Chelating Agents

In this study, the binding capacity of calcium ions of sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP), trisodium citrate (TSC), and potassium oxalate (PO) were evaluated, and the calcium distribution in the presence of STPP and TSPP in CaCl2 solutions (50mmolL−1) were investigated. Under conditions simulating industrial toothpaste, the concentration of fluoride in calcium carbonate suspensions (30 g/50 g) was measured by ion chromatography to investigate the effects of chelating agents on calcium ions. Among all the chelating agents, STPP and TSPP have the highest retention rate of fluoride, indicating better calcium binding capacity. Preliminary studies were carried out in CaCl2 solutions to investigate the influence of concentration and pH on the chelating performance of STPP and TSPP. The distribution of free calcium, chelated calcium, and precipitated calcium in CaCl2 solution in the presence of STPP and TSPP were investigated to reveal two different calcium-chelation mechanisms and laws for STPP and TSPP. This work has a positive guiding significance for the stabilisation of calcium and fluoride in toothpaste formula.

Allergenicity of Fermented Foods: Emphasis on Seeds Protein-Based Products

Food allergy is an IgE-mediated abnormal response to otherwise harmless food proteins, affecting between 5% and 10% of the world preschool children population and 1% to 5% adults. Several physical, chemical, and biotechnological approaches have been used to reduce the allergenicity of food allergens. Fermentation processes that contribute to technological and desirable changes in taste, flavor, digestibility, and texture of food products constitute one of these approaches. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), used as starter cultures in dairy products, are a subject of increasing interest in fermentation of plant proteins. However, the studies designed to assess the impact of LAB on reduction of allergenicity of seed proteins are at an early stage. This review presents the current knowledge on food fermentation, with a focus on seed proteins that are increasingly used as ingredients, and its impacts on food potential allergenicity.

Adaptation of Propionibacterium freudenreichii to long-term survival under gradual nutritional shortage

Background

Propionibacterium freudenreichii is an Actinobacterium widely used in the dairy industry as a ripening culture for Swiss-type cheeses, for vitamin B12 production and some strains display probiotic properties. It is reportedly a hardy bacterium, able to survive the cheese-making process and digestive stresses.

Results

During this study, P. freudenreichii CIRM-BIA 138 (alias ITG P9), which has a generation time of five hours in Yeast Extract Lactate medium at 30 °C under microaerophilic conditions, was incubated for 11 days (9 days after entry into stationary phase) in a culture medium, without any adjunct during the incubation. The carbon and free amino acids sources available in the medium, and the organic acids produced by the strain, were monitored throughout growth and survival. Although lactate (the preferred carbon source for P. freudenreichii) was exhausted three days after inoculation, the strain sustained a high population level of 9.3 log₁₀ CFU/mL. Its physiological adaptation was investigated by RNA-seq analysis and revealed a complete disruption of metabolism at the entry into stationary phase as compared to exponential phase.

Conclusions

P. freudenreichii adapts its metabolism during entry into stationary phase by down-regulating oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, and the Wood-Werkman cycle by exploiting new nitrogen (glutamate, glycine, alanine) sources, by down-regulating the transcription, translation and secretion of protein. Utilization of polyphosphates was suggested.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-3367-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Activities of amylase, proteinase, and lipase enzymes from Lactococcus chungangensis and its application in dairy products

Several enzymes are involved in the process of converting milk to lactic acid and coagulated milk to curd and, therefore, are important in dairy fermented products. Amylase, proteinase, and lipase are enzymes that play an important role in degrading milk into monomeric molecules such as oligosaccharides, amino acids, and fatty acids, which are the main molecules responsible for flavors in cheese. In the current study, we determined the amylase, proteinase, and lipase activities of Lactococcus chungangensis CAU 28(T), a bacterial strain of nondairy origin, and compared them with those of the reference strain, Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis KCTC 3769(T), which is commonly used in the dairy industry. Lactococcus chungangensis CAU 28(T) and L. lactis ssp. lactis KCTC 3769(T) were both found to have amylase, proteinase, and lipase activities in broth culture, cream cheese, and yogurt. Notably, the proteinase and lipase activities of L. chungangensis CAU 28(T) were higher than those of L. lactis ssp. lactis KCTC 3769(T), with proteinase activity of 10.50 U/mL in tryptic soy broth and 8.64 U/mL in cream cheese, and lipase activity of 100 U/mL of tryptic soy broth, and 100 U/mL of cream cheese. In contrast, the amylase activity was low, with 5.28 U/mL in tryptic soy broth and 8.86 U/mL in cream cheese. These enzyme activities in L. chungangensis CAU 28(T) suggest that this strain has potential to be used for manufacturing dairy fermented products, even though the strain is of nondairy origin.

Physicochemical, microbiological and spoilage analysis of probiotic processed cheese analogues with reduced emulsifying salts during refrigerated storage

Microbial quality of low-salt processed cheeses supplemented with Bacillus coagulans spores (10(7)-10(8) CFU/g) relying on their physicochemical characteristics during 60 day-cold storage was evaluated. A reduction in moisture content, water activity and pH value and a significant enhancement in proteolytic index of control and probiotic samples were obtained by prolonging storage time. Survival rate of the probiotic cells significantly decreased up to day 30, while total count of the viable cells increased by increasing storage time. A 20 and 67 % increase in total counts of coliforms and mold-yeast of the control sample were respectively observed after 60 days of cold storage. A considerable decrease in the total counts of coliforms and mold-yeast was also found in the processed cheeses containing probiotic supplement. According to the macroscopic and sensory assessment, off-odors and off-flavors in the control sample were diagnosed after day 1 of cold-storage. Noticeably, the resistance to spoilage was more prominent in samples containing the probiotic cells.

Rennet Coagulation and Cheesemaking Properties of Thermally Processed Milk: Overview and Recent Developments

Thermally induced changes in milk proteins and minerals, particularly interactions among caseins and denatured whey proteins, influence important properties of dairy products in both positive and negative ways. Whereas the extensive protein connectivity and increased water-holding capacity resulting from such heat-induced protein modification account for the much desired firmness of acid gels of yogurt, thermal processing, on the other hand, severely impairs clotting and adversely affects the cheesemaking properties of rennet-coagulated cheeses. In technological terms, the principal ongoing challenge in the cheese industry is to take advantage of the water-holding capacity of thermally aggregated whey proteins without compromising the rennetability of cheese milk or the textural and functional attributes of cheese. Including some recent data from the authors' laboratory, this paper will discuss important aspects and current literature on the use of thermally processed milk in the production of rennet-coagulated cheeses and also some of the potential alternatives available for inclusion of whey proteins in cheese, such as the addition of microparticulated whey proteins to cheese milk.

Changes of proteolysis and angiotensin-I converting enzyme-inhibitory activity in white-brined cheese as affected by adjunct culture and ripening temperature

The effects of use of adjunct cultures (Lactobacillus helveticus and Lb. casei) and ripening temperatures (6 or 12 °C) on proteolysis and angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory activity in white-brined cheeses were investigated during 120 d ripening. Proteolysis was monitored by urea-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (urea-PAGE) and reversed phase-HPLC (RP-HPLC) of water-insoluble and -soluble fractions of the cheeses, respectively. Urea-PAGE patterns of the samples revealed that the intensities of the bands representing casein fractions decreased in the experimental cheeses, being more pronounced in the cheeses made with adjunct cultures. Similarly, peptide profiles and the concentrations of individual and total free amino acids were influenced by both the adjunct cultures and ripening temperatures. The ACE-inhibitory activity of the water-soluble extracts of the cheeses were higher in the cheeses made using adjunct cultures (especially Lb. helveticus) and ripened at 12 °C. The ACE-inhibitory activity did not decrease during ripening. The contribution of Lb. helveticus to the development of proteolysis and ACE-inhibitory peptide activities were higher than that of Lb. casei. To conclude, the use of Lb. helveticus as adjunct culture in white-brined cheese and ripening at 12 °C would be recommended to obtain white-brined cheese with high ACE-I-inhibitory peptides activity and higher levels of preoteolysis.

Free and immobilized Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393 on whey protein as starter cultures for probiotic Feta-type cheese production

The use of free and immobilized Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393 on whey protein as starter culture in probiotic Feta-type cheese production was evaluated. The probiotic cultures resulted in significantly higher acidity; lower pH; reduced counts of coliforms, enterobacteria, and staphylococci; and improved quality characteristics compared with cheese with no culture. Microbiological and strain-specific multiplex PCR analysis showed that both free and immobilized L. casei ATCC 393 were detected in the novel products at levels required for conferring a probiotic effect at the end of the ripening. The effect of starter culture on production of volatile compounds was investigated by the solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis technique. The immobilized cells resulted in an improved profile of aroma-related compounds and the overall high quality of the novel products was ascertained by the preliminary sensory test. Finally, the high added value produced by exploitation of whey, which is an extremely polluting industrial waste, was highlighted and assessed.

Production of volatile compounds in reconstituted milk reduced-fat cheese and the physicochemical properties as affected by exopolysaccharide-producing strain

The application of the exopolysaccharide-producing strains for improving the texture and technical properties of reduced-fat cheese looks very promising. Streptococcus thermophilus TM11 was evaluated for production of reduced-fat cheese using reconstituted milk powder (CRMP). The physicochemical analysis of fresh and stored cheeses showed that this strain slightly increased moisture content resulting in cheese with higher yield and lower protein content compared to the direct acidified cheese. The volatiles of cheese were determined by SPME and GC equipped with a mass spectrometer. The results indicated that the major compounds included aldehydes, ketones and acids, whereas, alcohols and branched-chain aldehydes that contribute to exciting and harsh flavors were not found in CRMP. By the textural profile analysis, we found the cheese made with S. thermophilus TM11 had lower cohesiveness, resilience and higher adhesiveness than the direct acidified cheese, and had similar hardness. Further, S. thermophilus TM11 greatly changed the protein matrix with more opened cavities according to observation by scanning electron microscopy. Consequently, use of S. thermophilus TM11 could endow CRMP with the novel and suitable flavor properties and improved texture quality.

Mammals, Milk, Molecules, and Micelles

After a brief description of my family background and school days, my professional career as a dairy scientist is described under three headings: research, teaching, and writing. My research activities fall into four areas: biochemistry of cheese, fractionation and characterization of milk proteins, heat stability of milk, and dairy enzymology. Finally, I offer some advice to young scientists.

Influence of different oral rehydration solutions on abomasal conditions and the acid-base status of suckling calves

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of oral rehydration solutions (ORS) on milk clotting, abomasal pH, electrolyte concentrations, and osmolality, as well as on the acid-base status in blood of suckling calves, as treatment with ORS is the most common therapy of diarrhea in calves to correct dehydration and metabolic acidosis. Oral rehydration solutions are suspected to inhibit abomasal clotting of milk; however, it is recommended to continue feeding cow's milk or milk replacer (MR) to diarrheic calves to prevent body weight losses. Three calves with abomasal cannulas were fed MR, MR-ORS mixtures, or water-ORS mixtures, respectively. Samples of abomasal fluid were taken before and after feeding at various time points, and pH, electrolyte concentrations, and osmolality were measured. The interference of ORS with milk clotting was examined in vivo and in vitro. To evaluate the effects of ORS on systemic acid-base status, the Stewart variables strong ion difference ([SID]), acid total ([A(tot)]), and partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) were quantified in venous blood samples drawn before and after feeding. Calves reached higher abomasal pH values when fed with MR-ORS mixtures than when fed MR. Preprandial pH values were re-established after 4 to 6 h. Oral rehydration solutions prepared in water increased the abomasal fluid pH only for 1 to 2 h. Oral rehydration solutions with high [SID(3)] ([Na(+)] + [K(+)] - [Cl(-)]) values produced significantly higher abomasal pH values and area under the curve data of the pH time course. Caseinomacropeptide, an indicator of successful enzymatic milk clotting, could be identified in every sample of abomasal fluid after feeding MR-ORS mixtures. The MR-ORS mixtures with [SID(3)] values > or =92 mmol/L increased serum [SID(3)] but did not change venous blood pH. Oral rehydration solutions do not interfere with milk clotting in the abomasum and can, therefore, be administered with milk. In this study, MR-ORS mixtures with high [SID(3)] values caused an increase of serum [SID(3)] in healthy suckling calves and may be an effective treatment for metabolic acidosis in calves suffering from diarrhea.

The effect of natural cheddar cheese ripening on the functional and textural properties of the processed cheese manufactured therefrom

Cheddar cheese ripened at 8 degrees C was sampled at 7, 14, 28, 56, 112, and 168 d and subsequently used for the manufacture of processed cheese. The cheddar cheese samples were analyzed throughout ripening for proteolysis while the textural and rheological properties of the processed cheeses (PCs) were studied. The rate of proteolysis was the greatest in the first 28 d of cheddar cheese ripening but began to slow down as ripening progressed from 28 to 168 d. A similar trend was observed in changes to the texture of the PC samples, with the greatest decrease in hardness and increase in flowability being in the first 28 d of ripening. Confocal scanning laser microscopy showed that the degree of emulsification in the PC samples increased as the maturity of the cheddar cheese ingredient increased from 7 to 168 d. This increased emulsification resulted in a reduction in the rate of softening in the PC in samples manufactured from cheddar cheese bases at later ripening times. Multivariate data analysis was performed to summarize the relationships between proteolysis in the cheddar cheese bases and textural properties of the PC made therefrom. The proportion of alpha(s)(1)-casein (CN) in the cheddar cheese base was strongly correlated with hardness, adhesiveness, fracturability, springiness, and storage modulus values for the corresponding PC. Degradation of alpha(s) (1)-CN was the proteolytic event with the strongest correlation to the softening of PC samples, particularly those manufactured from cheddar cheese in the first 28 d of ripening.

Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Volatile Composition of Tulum Cheese Ripened in Goat's Skin or Plastic Bags

Tulum cheeses were manufactured from raw ewe's milk and ripened in goat's skin bags (tulums) or plastic containers to understand the effect of ripening container on the chemical composition, biochemistry, microbiology, and volatile composition of Tulum cheeses during 150 d of ripening. Chemical compositions of the cheeses ripened in tulums were significantly different and the moisture contents decreased rapidly in those cheeses because of the porous structure of the tulum. Higher microbial counts were detected in the cheeses ripened in plastic than in cheeses ripened in tulums. Differences in nitrogenous compounds and total free AA of the cheeses were not significant. Total concentrations of free AA in cheeses increased with age and Glu, Ala, Val, Leu, and Phe were the most abundant AA in the cheeses. Urea-PAGE of pH 4.6-insoluble fractions of the cheeses during ripening showed similar degradation patterns in all cheeses. Peptide profiles by reversed-phase HPLC of pH 4.6- and ethanol-soluble or ethanol-insoluble fractions of the cheeses revealed only minor differences in the concentrations of some peptides among the cheeses; however, age-related changes in peptide concentrations were significantly different among the cheeses. Cheeses were analyzed at 90 d of ripening for volatile compounds by solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. One hundred volatile components were identified, including 11 acids, 16 esters, 12 methyl ketones, 7 aldehydes, 22 alcohols, 7 sulfur compounds, 6 terpenes, and 19 miscellaneous compounds. The main components were short-chain fatty acids, 2-butanone, diacetyl, and primary alcohols. Quantitative differences in several volatile compounds were evident among the cheeses. Cheeses ripened in tulums or plastic had similar aroma patterns, but the concentrations of some components were different.

Biotechnological methods to accelerate cheddar cheese ripening

Cheese is one of the dairy products that can result from the enzymatic coagulation of milk. The basic steps of the transformation of milk into cheese are coagulation, draining, and ripening. Ripening is the complex process required for the development of a cheese's flavor, texture and aroma. Proteolysis, lipolysis and glycolysis are the three main biochemical reactions that are responsible for the basic changes during the maturation period. As ripening is a relatively expensive process for the cheese industry, reducing maturation time without destroying the quality of the ripened cheese has economic and technological benefits. Elevated ripening temperatures, addition of enzymes, addition of cheese slurry, attenuated starters, adjunct cultures, genetically engineered starters and recombinant enzymes and microencapsulation of ripening enzymes are traditional and modern methods used to accelerate cheese ripening. In this context, an up to date review of Cheddar cheese ripening is presented.