Abstract
The use of viable or attenuated Lactobacillus helveticus DPC 4571 for use in enzyme-modified cheese production was assessed. Optimal heat shocking conditions for attenuation of DPC 4571 were found to be 69°C for 25 sec. Enzyme-modified cheese was produced from an emulsion of pre-hydrolysed rennet curd, water, and butter fat. This substrate was heat-treated and inoculated with either an equivalent level of viable or attenuated cells of DPC 4571 and further incubated under controlled conditions. The heat-treated products produced using attenuated DPC 4571 had a preferred sensory character with strong cheesy savory notes, enhanced secondary proteolysis, and more key volatile flavor compounds than those produced with viable DPC 4571. However, prolonged incubation (>16 h) resulted in growth of advantageous enterococci, which adversely influenced the sensory profile.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This work was supported by the Irish Dairy Levy fund. The authors are grateful to Mary Rea for technical assistance and Prof. Tim Cogan for his advice.