Cheese ripening in nonconventional conditions: A multiparameter study applied to Protected Geographical Indication Canestrato di Moliterno cheese.

A multiparameter study was performed to evaluate the effect of fondaco, a traditional ripening cellar without any artificial temperature and relative humidity control, on the chemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics of Protected Geographical Indication Canestrato di Moliterno cheese. Ripening in such a nonconventional environment was associated with lower counts of lactococci, lactobacilli, and total viable bacteria, and higher presence of enterococci, in comparison with ripening in a controlled maturation room. Moreover, fondaco cheese underwent accelerated maturation, as demonstrated by faster casein degradation, greater accumulation of free AA, and higher formation of volatile organic compounds. Secondary proteolysis, as assessed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry of free AA and low molecular weight peptides, did not show any qualitative difference among cheeses, but fondaco samples evidenced an advanced level of peptidolysis. On the other hand, significant qualitative differences were observed in the free fatty acid profiles and in the sensory characteristics. Principal component analysis showed a clear separation of the fondaco and control cheeses, indicating that ripening in the natural room conferred unique sensory features to the product.

Legumes as basic ingredients in the production of dairy-free cheese alternatives: a review.

Research into dairy-free alternative products, whether plant-based or cell-based, is growing fast and the food industry is facing a new challenge of creating innovative, nutritious, accessible, and natural dairy-free cheese alternatives. The market demand for these products is continuing to increase owing to more people choosing to reduce or eliminate meat and dairy products from their diet for health, environmental sustainability, and/or ethical reasons. This review investigates the current status of dairy product alternatives. Legume proteins have good technological properties and are cheap, which gives them a strong commercial potential to be used in plant-based cheese-like products. However, few legume proteins have been explored in the formulation, development, and manufacture of a fully dairy-free cheese because of their undesirable properties: heat stable anti-nutritional factors and a beany flavor. These can be alleviated by novel or traditional and economical techniques. The improvement and diversification of the formulation of legume-based cheese alternatives is strongly suggested as a low-cost step towards more sustainable food chains. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Spreadable plant-based cheese analogue with dry-fractioned pea protein and inulin-olive oil emulsion-filled gel.

BACKGROUND: Consumer demand for plant-based cheese analogues (PCA) is growing because of the easy and versatile ways in which they can be used. However, the products available on the market are nutritionally poor. They are low in protein, high in saturated fat and sodium, and often characterized by a long list of ingredients. RESULTS: A clean label spreadable plant-based cheese analogue was developed using dry-fractionated pea protein and an emulsion-filled gel composed of extra virgin olive oil and inulin, added in different concentrations as fat replacer (10%, 13% and 15% of the formulation). First, nutritional and textural analyses were performed, and the results were compared with two commercial products. The products were high in protein (134 g kg-1 ) and low in fat (52.2 g kg-1 ). The formulated PCAs had similar spreadability index to the dairy cheese but lower hardness (15.1 vs. 19.0 N) and a higher elasticity (0.60 vs. 0.35) consequent to their lower fat content (52.2 vs. 250 g kg-1 ). Then, dry oregano and rosemary (5 g kg-1 ) were added to the PCA, and sensory evaluation and analysis of volatile compounds were conducted. The addition of spices masked the legume flavor and significantly enriched the final product with aromatic compounds. CONCLUSION: The use of dry-fractioned pea protein and of the emulsion-filled gel allowed us to develop a clean label and nutritionally valuable spreadable plant-based cheese analogue. Overall, the ingredients and product concepts developed could be used to upgrade the formulation of plant-based cheese on a larger scale. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of microbial transglutaminase levels on donkey cheese production.

Microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) is an enzyme widely used in the dairy sector to improve the functional properties of protein-based products via the formation of a network between protein molecules. The aim of this study involving cheese from the milk of donkeys was to evaluate the effects of treatment with MTGase at the concentrations of 0 (control), 5, 8 and 10 U/g milk protein on the cheese-making process parameters, as well as the physical and chemical characteristics of the resulting cheese. MTGase influenced the time of gel formation from rennet addition (P < 0.05), with a delay at the two highest concentrations, accompanied by a lower (P < 0.01) pH of cheese and the lowest (P < 0.01) loss in cheese weight at 24 h of storage. The highest gel viscosity (P < 0.01) was observed at the highest concentration of the enzyme, reaching the value of 70 mPa⋅sec after 60 min. The chemical composition and color of the cheeses were not significantly affected by the inclusion of MTGase, regardless of the enzyme concentration. These findings may be of relevance in adapting the cheese-making process and might help in the design of new dairy products from donkey's milk.

Kabuli and Apulian black Chickpea Milling By-Products as Innovative Ingredients to Provide High Levels of Dietary Fibre and Bioactive Compounds in Gluten-Free Fresh Pasta.

Gluten-free (GF) products, including pasta, are often characterised by nutritional deficiencies, such as scarce dietary fibre and excess of calories. Chickpea flour is increasingly being used by the food industries. Hulls, rich in dietary fibre and bioactive compounds, are discarded after milling. The aim of this work was to evaluate the quality features of short-cut GF fresh pasta added of hull (8% w/w) derived from kabuli (KH) or Apulian black (ABH) chickpeas, in comparison with control GF pasta prepared without hull. The enriched pasta, which could be labelled as "high fibre", was characterised by a higher level of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity than the control. ABH-enriched pasta showed the highest anthocyanins (33.37 ± 1.20 and 20.59 ± 0.11 mg/kg of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside on dry matter in raw and cooked pasta, respectively). Hull addition increased colour intensity and structural quality of GF pasta: ABH-enriched pasta had the lowest cooking loss and the highest water absorption capacity; KH-enriched pasta showed the highest firmness. No significant differences in sensory liking were found among the samples, except for "aftertaste". Chickpea hull can be used as an innovative ingredient to produce potentially functional GF pasta, meeting the dietary needs of consumers without affecting quality.

Supercritical CO2 Extraction of Phytocompounds from Olive Pomace Subjected to Different Drying Methods.

Olive pomace is a semisolid by-product of olive oil production and represents a valuable source of functional phytocompounds. The valorization of agro-food chain by-products represents a key factor in reducing production costs, providing benefits related to their reuse. On this ground, we herein investigate extraction methods with supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) of functional phytocompounds from olive pomace samples subjected to two different drying methods, i.e., freeze drying and hot-air drying. Olive pomace was produced using the two most common industrial olive oil production processes, one based on the two-phase (2P) decanter and one based on the three-phase (3P) decanter. Our results show that freeze drying more efficiently preserves phytocompounds such as α-tocopherol, carotenoids, chlorophylls, and polyphenols, whereas hot-air drying does not compromise the ß-sitosterol content and the extraction of squalene is not dependent on the drying method used. Moreover, higher amounts of α-tocopherol and polyphenols were extracted from 2P olive pomace, while ß-sitosterol, chlorophylls, and carotenoids were more concentrated in 3P olive pomace. Finally, tocopherol and pigment/polyphenol fractions exerted antioxidant activity in vitro and in accelerated oxidative conditions. These results highlight the potential of olive pomace to be upcycled by extracting from it, with green methods, functional phytocompounds for reuse in food and pharmaceutical industries.

Effects of storage on the oxidative stability of acorn oils extracted from three different Quercus species.

BACKGROUND: Acorn fruit and its components and by-products are receiving renewed interest due to their nutritional and phytochemical features. In particular, the oil extracted from acorns is recognized for having high nutritional quality and for being rich in bioactive compounds. Despite the growing interest, few papers are available that consider the evolution of acorn-oil characteristics during storage. Our aim was to investigate the storage-related changes in acorn oils extracted from three Quercus species grown in Algeria (Q. ilex, Q. suber, and Q. coccifera) 180 days after production, with a focus on polar and volatile compounds, not yet investigated. Basic quality parameters, phenolic content, antioxidant activity and induction time were also monitored. RESULTS: The oxidation markers (peroxide value and UV absorptions) increased during storage, whereas antioxidants decreased. A distinctive volatile profile was observed at the time of production, which underwent changes during storage. Polar compounds increased, whereas induction time decreased. The oil extracted from Quercus suber L. was the most affected by storage time. CONCLUSION: Floral and fruity volatile compounds detected in the oils' headspace could explain the pleasant flavor of acorn oils reported by other authors. As with other vegetable oils, storage depletes both volatiles and antioxidants and produces oxidation compounds, such as oxidized triacylglycerols. However, the acorn oils that were studied were quite stable under storage in the dark at room temperature for 6 months. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

New Insights in Cheese Yield Capacity of the Milk of Italian Brown and Italian Friesian Cattle in the Production of High-Moisture Mozzarella.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of κ-casein B content in milk on the yield of high-moisture mozzarella cheese. The study was carried out by monitoring the production of eight mozzarella cheese batches at four cheese making factories. At each factory, two cheese making trials were performed in parallel: one using bulk milk from Italian Brown cattle and the other using bulk milk from Italian Friesian cattle. The average κ-casein B content was 0.04 g per 100 g in the Italian Friesian cows' milk, whereas it was four time higher in the Italian Brown cows' milk, reaching values of 0.16 g per 100 g. Both the κ-casein content and κ-casein B to casein ratio were positively correlated with actual cheese yield. Both parameters showed correlation coefficient values over 0.9, higher than for any other protein fraction. The influence of the level of κ-casein on the increase of the yield is probably due to smaller and more homogeneous micelles, with more efficient rennet coagulation. Consequently, milk with higher κ-casein B content produces a more elastic curd that withstands better the technological treatments and limits losses during curd mincing and stretching. In conclusion, the Italian Brown cows' milk used, characterized by higher κ-casein content than the Italian Friesian's one, allowed a yield increase of about 2.65%, which is a very relevant result for both farms and cheese making factories.

Technological attempts at producing cheese from donkey milk.

The work described in this Research Communication addressed the hypothesis that it is possible to produce cheese from donkey milk by appropriate adjusting of the cheesemaking parameters. A series of coagulation trials were performed on donkey milk, alone or fortified with goat milk (85/15 and 70/30, v/v), using calf rennet under different technological conditions. The parameters that changed were pH and concentration of soluble calcium, amount of rennet added and temperature of coagulation. Donkey milk gave rise to sufficiently firm curd only at 'extreme' technological conditions and, as expected, addition of goat milk improved coagulation. A cheesemaking protocol was developed for producing fresh cheese prototypes, which were checked for microbiological safety, chemical composition and sensory characteristics. Pure donkey milk gave 5·9% yield, cheese having 6·12 pH, 32·4% dry matter, 2·1% fat and 18·5% protein. The electrophoretic analysis ascertained that ß-casein was the most abundant compound in donkey cheese, but whey proteins were also present in non-negligible amounts. Finally, the sensory evaluation demonstrated that all cheeses were acceptable and provided detailed description of their flavour characteristics.

Production and characterisation of reduced-fat and PUFA-enriched Burrata cheese.

Burrata is an Italian fresh 'pasta filata' cheese made from cow's milk and cream that is rapidly spreading in Europe. It has very high caloric content, and a technological protocol was developed for producing a reduced-fat type and fortifying it with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of vegetable origin. A satisfactory reduced-fat prototype was obtained by using a 14% fat cream, which was specifically developed by diluting double cream with a suspension of carob seed flour. The composition of the new cheese changed with respect to the control, but the sensory characteristics were not impaired. Moisture increased from 62·6 to 68·4%, fat on dry matter decreased from 59·1 to 34·7%, and the caloric content decreased from 1060·8 to 718 J/100 g. Proteolysis and lipolysis were not affected by the technological modifications: after 7 d storage, the electrophoretic pattern of caseins and the free fatty acids profile of experimental and control cheeses were not significantly different. Fortification of reduced-fat Burrata with PUFA was obtained by using two commercial formulates available at a compatible price with the current economic values of the cheese. The two formulates derived from flaxseeds and Carthamus tinctorius oil and allowed enrichment in C18 :3 : n3 (α-linolenic acid, ALA), and 9cis,11trans- and 10trans,12cis- conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), respectively. Fortification was easy to perform under a technical point of view, but the negative sensory impact limited fortification at a maximum of 7·0 mg g-1 fat ALA and 6·8 g-1 fat CLA.

Packaging optimisation to prolong the shelf life of fiordilatte cheese.

In this work, an active coating and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) were investigated to prolong the shelf life of Fiordilatte packaged in traditional brine. First, the screening of MAP was performed in order to select the best gas composition. Then, the combined effect of MAP and coating was investigated. Finally, the coating was loaded with potassium sorbate and its effects under MAP conditions were also assessed. Results highlighted that MAP was able to control growth of the main spoilage microbial group (Pseudomonas spp.); however, the solubilisation of carbon dioxide into the brine compromised Fiordilatte texture. Therefore, the presence of the active coating avoided the damage of gas solubilisation and promoted a shelf life prolongation by about 157%.

Combined effect of active coating and modified atmosphere packaging on prolonging the shelf life of low-moisture Mozzarella cheese.

In this work, the effect of active coating on the shelf life of low-moisture Mozzarella cheese packaged in air and modified atmosphere (MAP) was studied. The active coating was based on sodium alginate (2%, wt/vol) and potassium sorbate (1%, wt/vol). The MAP was made up of 75% CO2 and 25% N2 (MAP1), 25% CO2 and 75% N2 (MAP2), or 50% CO2 and 50% N2 (MAP3). The product quality decay was assessed by monitoring microbiological and sensory changes during storage at 4, 8, and 14°C. Results showed that the combination of active coating and MAP was able to improve the preservation of low-moisture Mozzarella cheese. Specifically, the shelf life increased up to 160 d for samples stored at 4°C, and 40 and 11 d for those at 8 and 14°C, respectively. A faster quality decay for untreated samples packaged in air was observed. In particular, the Pseudomonas spp. growth and the appearance of molds were responsible for product unacceptability. The combination of active coating and MAP represents a strategic solution to prolong the shelf life of low-moisture Mozzarella cheese and to ensure the safety of the product under thermal abuse conditions.

Dairy Products: Processing Technology and Sensory Properties.

In developed countries, the dairy sector is going through a highly challenging phase as a consequence of changes in consumers' expectations and the spread of new cultural approaches to food [...].

Effect of edible coatings and films enriched with plant extracts and essential oils on the preservation of animal-derived foods.

Edible coatings and films for food preservation are becoming more popular thanks to their environmentally friendly properties and active ingredient-carrying ability. Their application can be effective in contrasting quality decay by limiting oxidation and deterioration of foods. Many reviews analyze the different compounds with which films and coatings can be created, their characteristics, and the effect when applied to food. However, the possibility of adding plant extracts and essential oils in edible coatings and films to preserve processed animal-derived products has been not exhaustively explored. The aim of this review is to summarize how edible coatings and films enriched with plant extracts (EXs) and essential oils (EOs) influence the physico-chemical and sensory features as well as the shelf-life of cheese, and processed meat and fish. Different studies showed that various EXs and EOs limited both oxidation and microbial growth after processing and during food preservation. Moreover, encapsulation has been found to be a valid technology to improve the solubility and stability of EOs and EXs, limiting strong flavor, controlling the release of bioactive compounds, and maintaining their stability during storage. Overall, the incorporation of EXs and EOs in edible coating and film to preserve processed foods can offer benefits for improving the shelf-life, limiting food losses, and creating a food sustainable chain.

A Comprehensive Review on the Biogenic Amines in Cheeses: Their Origin, Chemical Characteristics, Hazard and Reduction Strategies.

Most of the biogenic amines are naturally found in fermented foods as a consequence of amino acid decarboxylation. Their formation is ascribable to microorganisms (starters, contaminants and autochthonous) present in the food matrix. The concentration of these molecules is important for food security reasons, as they are involved in food poisoning illnesses. The most frequent amines found in foods are histamine, putrescine, cadaverine, tyramine, tryptamine, phenylethylamine, spermine and spermidine. One of the most risk-prone foods are cheeses, mostly ripened ones, which could easily accumulate amines due to their peculiar manufacturing process and ripening. Cheeses represent a pivotal food in our diet, providing for nutrients such as amino acids, calcium, vitamins and others; thus, since they are widely consumed, it is important to evaluate the presence of toxic molecules to avoid consumers' poisoning. This review aimed to gather general information on the role of biogenic amines, their formation, the health issues and the microorganisms and processes that produce/reduce them, with a focus on their content in different types of cheese (from soft to hard cheeses) and the biotic and abiotic factors that influence their formation or reduction and concentration. Finally, a multivariate analysis was performed on the biogenic amine content, derived from data available in the literature, to obtain more information about the factors influencing their presence in cheeses.

Enhancing nutritional and sensory properties of plant-based beverages: a study on chickpea and Kamut® flours fermentation using Lactococcus lactis.

The study aimed to set up a protocol for the production of a clean-label plant-based beverage (PBB), obtained by mixing chickpeas and Kamut® flours and using a commercial Lactococcus lactis (LL) as fermentation starter, and to characterize it, from nutritional, microbiological, textural, shelf-life, and sensory points of view. The effect of using the starter was evaluated comparing the LL-PBB with a spontaneously fermented beverage (CTRL-PBB). Both PBBs were high in proteins (3.89/100 g) and could be considered as sources of fiber (2.06/100 g). Notably, L. lactis fermentation enhanced the phosphorus (478 vs. 331 mg/kg) and calcium (165 vs. 117 mg/kg) concentrations while lowering the raffinose content (5.51 vs. 5.08 g/100 g) compared to spontaneous fermentation. Cell density of lactic acid bacteria increased by ca. two log cycle during fermentation of LL-PBB, whereas undesirable microbial groups were not detected. Furthermore, L. lactis significantly improved the beverage's viscosity (0.473 vs. 0.231 Pa s), at least for 10 days, and lightness. To assess market potential, we conducted a consumer test, presenting the LL-PBB in "plain" and "sweet" (chocolate paste-added) variants. The "sweet" LL-PBB demonstrated a higher acceptability score than its "plain" counterpart, with 88 and 78% of participants expressing acceptability and a strong purchase intent, respectively. This positive consumer response positions the sweet LL-PBB as a valuable, appealing alternative to traditional flavored yogurts, highlighting its potential in the growing plant-based food market.

Application of toasted vine-shoot chips and ultrasound treatment in the ageing of Primitivo wine.

Ageing wine in barrels is an historical practice used to improve the aromatic complexity of wine, but due to the high cost and the long ageing period, alternative approaches have been developed, such as the use of wood chips and ultrasound treatment. The present paper reports the results of an investigation performed on wine (cv. Primitivo). Three treatments were investigated: a) control wine untreated; b) wine with toasted vine-shoot chips (10 g/L); c) wine with toasted vine-shoot chips (10 g/L) and treated by ultrasound. Wines were analysed after 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. The application of ultrasound combined with vine-shoot chips promoted tannin evolution, thereby accelerating the ageing process of wine. The chips addition decreased the total anthocyanins content and increased the stilbenes (trans-resveratrol and trans-piceid) and wood-related aromas (i.e., furfural, 5-methylfurfural) concentration. Finally, wines added with chips were richer in woody, vanilla, oak, and chocolate notes and more preferred by the tasters.

Application of Commercial Biopreservation Starter in Combination with MAP for Shelf-Life Extension of Burrata Cheese.

Burrata is a fresh pasta filata cheese manufactured in Italy. Its demand on the worldwide market is constantly growing, and prolonging its shelf-life is an important challenge for the Italian dairy industry. In the present study, combining a commercial bio-protective starter and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) was evaluated as a strategy to delay the spoilage of product quality. Three experimental samples of burrata were produced by experimental trials at the industrial level and stored for 28 days under refrigerated conditions. Two samples contained the protective starter but were packaged differently (under MAP and immersed in water), and one did not contain the starter and was packaged under MAP. A sample of burrata without a starter and immersed in water was also prepared and used as a control. The combination of MAP and bio-protective starter delayed the degradation of lactose and citric acid, used as indices of microbial activity. In fact, lower counts of Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas were observed in this sample. In contrast, control burrata had the highest level of total Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) at the end of the storage period, because of higher microbial activity. Even though all samples were judged to be unacceptable after 28 days from the sensory point of view, the sample with bio-protective starter under MAP had the best score after 21 days, obtaining a shelf-life extension of about 7 days with respect to control. In conclusion, the combination of MAP and protective starter culture could be an easy way to extend the shelf-life of burrata stored under correct refrigerated conditions.

Impact of Milk Thermization on the Quality Characteristics of P.D.O. "Canestrato Pugliese" Ovine Hard Cheese.

The use of raw milk is compulsory in the manufacturing process of most of the European protected designation of origin (PDO) cheeses but, for ovine products, it is often responsible for faulty productions. Since pasteurization is hardly compatible with the PDO concept, a milder treatment (thermization) is allowed in some cases. An investigation was undertaken to assess the effect of thermization on the overall quality of Canestrato Pugliese, a PDO ovine hard cheese of Southern Italy that can be manufactured exclusively from raw milk. Three types of cheese were produced using raw, mild-thermized and high-thermized milk inoculated with a thermophilic commercial starter. The results demonstrated that the heat treatment did not cause remarkable differences in the gross composition, but the microbiological profiles had some differences despite the use of the selected starter. The raw milk cheese contained higher levels (0.5-1 log units) of mesophilic lactobacilli, total viables, total coliforms and enterococci with respect to the thermized counterparts, with the high-thermized cheese showing the lowest levels; these microbiological differences fitted well with the higher content and the different High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) pattern of soluble nitrogen. The sensory analysis revealed that the thermized cheeses lost some typical sensory characteristics, probably as a consequence of the reduced indigenous microbiota populations. It was concluded that milk thermization could be applied to Canestrato Pugliese manufacturing only together with the development and use of an autochthonous starter.

Application of Agri-Food By-Products in Cheesemaking.

Agri-food companies produce large quantities of plant by-products that in many instances contain functional bioactive compounds. This review summarizes the main applications of agro-industrial by-products in cheesemaking, considering their bioactivities and functional properties. Polyphenol-rich by-products increase antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in cheeses, positively impacting their shelf life. Contrasting results have been obtained regarding the color and sensory properties of enriched cheeses depending on the selected by-products and on the technology adopted for the extract preparation. Furthermore, functional compounds in cheeses perform a prebiotic function and their bioavailability improves human health. Overall, the use of agri-food by-products in cheese formulation can offer benefits for agri-food chain sustainability and consumer health.