Estimation and fortification of vitamin D3 in pasteurized process cheese.

The objective of this study was to develop methods for the estimation and fortification of vitamin D3 in pasteurized Process cheese. Vitamin D3 was estimated using alkaline saponification at 70 degrees C for 30 min, followed by extraction with petroleum ether:diethyl ether (90:10 vol/vol) and HPLC. The retention time for vitamin D3 was approximately 9 min. A standard curve with a correlation coefficient of 0.972 was prepared for quantification of vitamin D3 in unknown samples. In the second phase of the study, pasteurized Process cheeses fortified with commercial water- or fat-dispersible forms of vitamin D3 at a level of 100 IU per serving (28 g) were manufactured. There was no loss of vitamin D3 during Process cheese manufacture, and the vitamin was uniformly distributed. No losses of the vitamin occurred during storage of the fortified cheeses over a 9-mo period at 21 to 29 degrees C and 4 to 6 degrees C. There was an approximately 25 to 30% loss of the vitamin when cheeses were heated for 5 min in an oven maintained at 232 degrees C. Added vitamin D3 did not impart any off flavors to the Process cheeses as determined by sensory analysis. There were no differences between the water- and fat-dispersible forms of the vitamin in the parameters measured in fortified cheeses.

Isolation, characterization, and influence of native, nonstarter lactic acid bacteria on Cheddar cheese quality.

To determine whether adventitious nonstarter lactic acid bacteria (NSLAB) might affect cheese flavor and quality, we studied a population of NSLAB present in 30 premium quality Cheddar cheeses (3-mo ripened) produced at a commercial facility in the United States. DNA fingerprinting analysis with a sensitive strategy for arbitrary priming polymerase chain reaction showed that 75 isolates corresponded to at least 18 distinct nonstarter organisms. According to ribotype database comparisons of representatives from the 18 groups, 9 matched Lactobacillus (closest to paracasei species), 8 matched Streptococcus thermophilus, and 1 matched to a Lactococcus species. This finding indicated that among the 75 NSLAB isolates, Lactobacillus made up 64%, S. thermophilus 32%, and Lactococcus 4%. Isolates representing 11 NSLAB groups were characterized for protease, peptidase, and diacetyl production. Based on this phenotypic analysis, two Lactobacillus isolates were evaluated as adjuncts in Cheddar cheese. All of the NSLAB identified from the adjunct cheese at 3 mo by DNA fingerprinting consisted of the adjunct lactobacilli, showing that the adjunct strains predominated throughout the early stages of ripening. The impact of adjunct lactobacilli was evident after 6 mo when free amino acids significantly increased and sensory scores improved in adjunct cheese as compared with a control cheese. The largest impact was found in adjunct cheese containing a blend of both lactobacilli strains. These results show that certain adventitious NSLAB positively contribute to flavor development.

Beta-casomorphins: analysis in cheese and susceptibility to proteolytic enzymes from Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris.

Commercial cheese products were surveyed for beta-casomorphin peptides. Two extraction methods were compared: 1) water and 2) chloroform and methanol. Peptide profiles were determined using reverse-phase HPLC and multiple wavelength detection. beta-Casomorphin standards were used for comparison with cheese peptide profiles. Results indicated that peptides were present in cheeses with HPLC elution times that were similar to those for beta-casomorphins. However, comparison of absorbancies of the peaks at multiple wavelengths did not indicate peptides similar to beta-casomorphins. Therefore, beta-casomorphins were absent, or concentrations were below the HPLC detection threshold for beta-casomorphin of 2 micrograms/ml of cheese extract. The susceptibility of beta-casomorphins to the proteolytic system of a commercial strain of Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris was investigated. beta-Casomorphin standards were incubated at 4 degrees C with bacterial cell lysate at pH 5.0, 5.2, 5.4, and 5.7. Salt concentrations varied among 0, 1.5, and 5%. The concentration of added beta-casomorphins and the degradation products were monitored over 15 wk using HPLC. Enzymatic degradation of beta-casomorphins was influenced by the combination of pH and salt concentrations at cheese ripening temperatures. Therefore, if formed in cheese, beta-casomorphins may be degraded under conditions common for Cheddar cheese.

Factors related to the light stability of vitamin A in various carriers.

Skim milk fortified with all-trans retinyl palmitate, using corn or coconut oil as the vitamin carrier, was studied to determine the effect of physical state and droplet size of the carrier system on loss of all-trans retinyl palmitate during exposure to light. To determine effect of physical state, fortified samples were exposed to light at 4 degrees C, where corn oil is liquid and coconut oil solid, or 35 degrees C where both oils are liquid. At 4 degrees C, rates of light degradation of all-trans retinyl palmitate in corn or coconut oil were significantly different from each other; at 35 degrees C they were not. Different droplet sizes of the carrier systems were achieved by homogenizing skim milk at different pressures (169, 105, or 35 kg/cm2). In all cases, greater loss occurred in corn oil as the vitamin carrier compared to coconut oil. Degradation rate of all-trans retinyl palmitate increased with decreased homogenization pressure. Effects of photooxidation of fatty acids on degradation of all-trans retinyl palmitate and isomerization of retinyl palmitate were investigated in four carrier systems (corn, butter, peanut, and coconut) by exposing the fortified oils to light. Peroxide values did not parallel degradation of all-trans retinyl palmitate during light exposure. Isomerization of all-trans to cis isomers of retinyl palmitate occurred in all carrier systems.

Influence of milk fat, milk solids, and light intensity on the light stability of vitamin A and riboflavin in lowfat milk.

Retinyl palmitate and riboflavin were quantified in milk samples exposed to fluorescent light. Effects of compositional factors were determined by comparing rates of loss of riboflavin and vitamin A in milks with different amounts of milk fat and milk solids. Upon exposure to fluorescent light, rates of vitamin A and riboflavin loss were lower in whole milk than in skim milk. Riboflavin degraded more slowly in skim milk with 1% added nonfat dry milk than in skim milk with no added solids. No additional protective effect for riboflavin was found when added solids were increased from 1 to 3%. Compared with milk with no added solids, 1% added nonfat dry milk did not increased protection for vitamin A, but a protective effect was noted when the skim milk was fortified with 3% nonfat dry milk. Increasing light intensity increased the rates of loss of both vitamins, and riboflavin was lost at a greater rate.