Impact of pea protein isolate in partial substitution of milk protein concentrate on the microstructural, rheological, and sensory properties of bacteriologically acidified feta‐type cheese

Replacing animal proteins with plant proteins: Is this a way to improve quality and functional properties of hybrid cheeses and cheese analogs?

The growing emphasis on dietary health has facilitated the development of plant-based foods. Plant proteins have excellent functional attributes and health-enhancing effects and are also environmentally conscientious and animal-friendly protein sources on a global scale. The addition of plant proteins (including soy protein, pea protein, zein, nut protein, and gluten protein) to diverse cheese varieties and cheese analogs holds the promise of manufacturing symbiotic products that not only have reduced fat content but also exhibit improved protein diversity and overall quality. In this review, we summarized the utilization and importance of various plant proteins in the production of hybrid cheeses and cheese analogs. Meanwhile, classification and processing methods related to these cheese products were reviewed. Furthermore, the impact of different plant proteins on the microstructure, textural properties, physicochemical attributes, rheological behavior, functional aspects, microbiological aspects, and sensory characteristics of both hybrid cheeses and cheese analogs were discussed and compared. Our study explores the potential for the development of cheeses made from full/semi-plant protein ingredients with greater sustainability and health benefits. Additionally, it further emphasizes the substantial chances for scholars and developers to investigate the optimal processing methods and applications of plant proteins in cheeses, thereby improving the market penetration of plant protein hybrid cheeses and cheese analogs.

Effect of probiotic bacteria on physicochemical, microbiological, textural, sensory properties and fatty acid profile of sour cream

Sour cream is a dairy product with good potential to act as a food carrier for probiotic bacteria. The effect of probiotic cultures on the quality of sour cream from dry dairy ingredients was assessed during 5 weeks of storage. The treatments design was as follows: Bifidobacterium, Bifidobacterium + Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus + Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus casei. Fatty acids profile, texture, microbial load and sensory characteristics were analyzed. Comparison of fatty acids of different creams produced showed that there is a significant difference between the produced creams. There are a wide range of fatty acids in the structure of sour cream fat. Also, with the addition of these bacteria, the texture of the samples became firmer during storage. The sensory analyses showed that the addition of all three bacteria increased the overall acceptance of this product by the panelists. It is suggested that sour cream fortified with probiotics well orientated functional food had accepted composition and sensory properties.