Whether you are buying blue cheese or any other type of cheese, you should be aware that there is a possibility that mold could be present. There are several kinds of mold that can be present, and you should always look for a label that states that the cheese is produced in an area where the mold is not common.
Yarrowia lipolytica
Yarrowia lipolytica is a yeast that can be found in the environment and in food products. It is commonly known as Blue Cheese Yeast. It produces several important aroma compounds for the taste of Blue Cheese.
Yarrowia lipolytica can be used in combination with Penicillium roqueforti for the production of Blue Cheese aroma. Although Yarrowia lipolytica and Penicillium roqueforti are closely related, Yarrowia lipolytica has been shown to enhance the production of ketone aroma compounds. In addition, Yarrowia lipolytica may affect the development of the aroma profile of the cheese.
The genetic variability of Yarrowia lipolytica strains needs to be studied. Using phenotypic and molecular techniques, Yarrowia lipolytica was characterized from isolates obtained from different types of cheese. The isolates were grouped into clusters based on the combined activities of lipolytic and proteolytic proteins. The isolates were then identified by DNA sequencing.
Yarrowia lipolytica colonies are seen at 1000X magnification. They have compact fuzzy spots and hyphae. Yarrowia lipolytica grows in a range of pH conditions, preferring a medium with high protein and fat content. The Yarrowia lipolytica species isolated from blue cheese had strong assimilation of sugars and acids. The enzymes secreted by Yarrowia lipolytica are alkaline and acid proteases. These proteins are important in the bacterial breakdown of casein.
Kluyveromyces marxianus
Several yeast species are found in the interior and exterior of blue-veined cheese. The number of yeast species in the interior of the cheese is low and the population of yeasts on the surface is high. The yeasts on the surface are able to grow in a low temperature and tolerate a low pH and a high concentration of salt.
The yeasts in the cheese are important for the ripening process. Their presence in the cheese enables the cheese to have a wider range of physical and chemical properties. Some of the yeasts are metabolizing fat and proteins, producing aromatic compounds, and enhancing ethanol production. The bacterium Torulaspora delbrueckii was isolated from the raw milk of various dairies.
The yeasts on the exterior of Gorgonzola-style blue cheese were most commonly Candida versatilis. The yeasts on the interior were most commonly Debaryomyces hansenii and Trichosporon beigelii.
The enzymatic activities of the yeasts were determined and the enzymes were used to analyze the typical flavor of cheeses. The activity of the yeasts was measured using the following methods: (a) pH value; (b) reduction sugar; (c) reducing sugar; (d) enzyme preparations; and (e) cellulose preparation.
The metabolized fatty acids were studied at 25, 10 and 25 degC. The resulting free amino acids, fatty acids, fatty acid methyl esters, phenyl ethanol, acetaldehyde, ethyl hexanoate and propanal were found to be associated with the yeasts.
Pichia membranifacia
Several genera of mold can contribute to the flavor and texture of blue cheese. Some strains contribute positively to the flavor of cheese while others can alter the appearance of the cheese. The most well-known types of blue mold cheeses are Stilton and Gorgonzola.
Penicillium roqueforti is a type of blue mold that is responsible for producing the characteristic blue color in citrus fruit. It also influences the development of blue mold cheeses. The enzymes it produces contribute to the ripening of cheese. Its melanin content provides the characteristic blue hue. It is a member of the lactic acid bacteria family. It produces ammonia by deamination of amino acids. It has high tolerance for low oxygen levels. Its enzymes produce free fatty acids from milk fat.
Pichia membranifaciens is known to control blue and green mould in apples, nectarine, and loquat. It has also been used to control other crop-fruit-associated fungus pathogens. This species has been shown to be particularly active in salt. Its killer toxins can be used as post-harvest biocontrol agents for plant pathogens.
The present study aims to identify an optimal protective medium for Pichia membranifaciens. The protective medium contains a nutrient extract that is supplied by Aoboxing. The nutrient extract contains 0*5% yeast extract. It is further suspended in sterile distilled water.
P. fermentans
During the manufacturing process of cheese, various microbial species may occur spontaneously. Some of them may contribute to the product formation while others can cause negative effects. Depending on the type of cheese, different microorganisms play an important role. Moreover, the chemical composition of the cheese affects the applied technology and the nutritional value of the final product.
The blue cheese microflora is mainly composed of mesophilic lactic acid bacteria. The bacterial strains of this type have a high antioxidant capacity and proteolytic activity. They are considered for use in production of bioactive compounds.
Penicillium roqueforti is a secondary microorganism that grows in the veins of the blue-veined cheese. It is responsible for the strong flavor of blue cheeses. This type of fungus can grow in a wide range of oxygen levels and is resistant to both high and low relative humidity. Its growth takes place on the surface of the cheese for about 15 days.
Another important microbial agent is the presence of yeast. It can cause off-flavors in the cheese. Some of the yeast species that can be found in different types of cheese include D. hansenii, D. hansenii, D. faecalis, and D. monocytogenes. It is important to understand the effect of yeast on the flavour development and taste of the final product.
Candida zeylanoides
Yeasts usually do not have a good reputation for contaminating dairy products. However, they may be responsible for the ripening process of specialty cheeses. Here, we have investigated the presence of yeasts in two different blue cheeses.
The yeast species that were most commonly detected in both the interior and exterior of the blue cheeses were Candida zeylanoides and Debaryomyces hansenii. These species are able to utilise citrate and lactate, and are salt resistant. These strains were associated with the environment, but were also found in the surface of the cheese.
There were 30 different NSYM species identified. Some of these species were only isolated once, but other species were recovered in each cheese, at high numbers during the ripening period. They were also characterized by a characteristic peak ratio that is used to indicate changes within the microbial population.
The presence of these species was meaningful in both the South African and Australian blue cheese varieties. They were detected in both the raw milk and the cheese, and their presence was also important in the development of flavour of these cheeses.
These results demonstrate the presence of yeasts in blue cheeses and their importance for the flavour development of these products. Some of these species can be used as adjunct cultures to improve the quality of the final product.
Penicillium roqueforti
Various food spoilers are known to be responsible for the disintegration of the structure of food products, and Penicillium roqueforti is one such mold. It is a fungus that is commonly found in dairy products. It is characterized by large brush-like spore-bearing structures, and a grayish turquoise coloration at the margin of the colony.
Penicillium roqueforti has a significant role in the manufacture of cheese. Its enzymes are known to be very efficient in the process of cheese ripening. It contributes to the characteristic aroma of blue cheese.
Several studies have been carried out on the growth of Penicillium roqueforti in cheeses. These include experiments on surface mould-ripened cheeses.
The internal structure of these cheeses was shown to be porous. This was due to an increase in the pH of the surface during the early ripening stage. The odor of blue cheeses is related to the methyl ketone formation. This is achieved through the enzymes produced by Penicillium roqueforti.
These enzymes are also tolerant to weak acid preservatives. However, the use of chemical preservatives is discouraged due to the increasing awareness of the environmental crisis. This is because it is costly and is restricted to specific food categories.
Mould-ripened cheeses
During the manufacturing process, some blue cheeses are spiked with mold spores. This gives them a distinctive blue colour, and allows for oxygen access deep within the interior.
This is because blue mould needs oxygen to grow. In addition, the mould has strong lipolytic action, breaking down fats. This gives the cheese its unique flavour.
When making a blue cheese, most cheese-makers use pre-grown mould spores in powder form. They are added to the milk at the beginning of the cheese making process. This helps speed up the development of the mould.
The growth of blue mould in cheese depends on its moisture content. Cheeses that are higher in moisture can begin to mold in as little as two to three weeks. The spores of blue mould can easily travel to other cheeses in your fridge.
The mould on blue cheese usually leads to unpleasant changes in the flavour and aroma. It also accelerates the breakdown of milk proteins. It can lead to food poisoning and an allergic reaction.
Some soft unripened cheeses are susceptible to mould growth. This is because they are likely to have bacteria growing inside them. You should discard the cheese if you notice any mould in it.