Effects of probiotic adjuncts on physicochemical properties, organic acids content, and proteolysis in cheese prepared from buffalo milk

The aim of the current study was to assess the effects of probiotic adjuncts on physiochemical characteristics, organic acids, water-soluble nitrogen percentage (WSN%), total free amino acids (TFAA), and proteolytic patterns in buffalo milk probiotic Cheddar cheese during 120 days of ripening at 4 degrees C. Cheddar cheese was prepared with commercially available mesophilic cheese starter cultures (control), Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium bifidum individually as well as in synergistic manner to prepare probiotic cheese. The results appeared with a significant difference in control and probiotic cheese with reference to citric, lactic, butyric, and acetic acids, WSN%, and TFAA production. The proteolytic pattern of probiotic bacteria modified the proteolysis and expedited the formation of bioactive peptides in Cheddar cheese. Among probiotic adjuncts, Cheddar having B. bifidum exhibited higher WSN% and TFAA as compared to the other two probiotic cheese samples. Hence, it can be concluded that B. bifidum is slightly more proteolytic as compared to other probiotic adjuncts and the incorporation of probiotic adjuncts enhanced the hydrolysis of alpha s(1-) casein in Cheddar cheese. Practical applications Bioactive peptides remain inactive within the protein molecule. When milk undergoes enzymatic hydrolysis (protein), fermentation (through the proteolytic starter), or enzymatic proteolysis, bioactive compounds become active and capable to exhibit their therapeutic potential. Probiotic adjuncts modify the proteolysis, balance bio-diversity removed by pasteurization and expedite the formation of bioactive peptides in Cheddar cheese. Regarding probiotic adjuncts, cheese serves as one of the most efficient carriers of probiotic bacteria owing to its matrix efficiency and ability to maintain the viability of bacteria and facilitate their entry into the human gut.