Chemical, physical, and sensorial characteristics of "Terrincho" ewe cheese: changes during ripening and intravarietal comparison

J Dairy Sci. 2004 Feb;87(2):249-57. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(04)73163-X.

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to monitor the changes in chemical [moisture, acidity, pH, and water activity (a(w))] and physical (color and texture) parameters of "Terrincho" ewe cheese during 60 d of ripening, and to determine the correlations between the changes in instrumental texture and color parameters and the ripening time of the product. Intravarietal comparison of Terrincho ewe cheese from 5 different dairy plants was performed by evaluation of mechanical parameters from texture profile analysis (TPA) and color parameters in terms of CIELAB color space (L*, a*, and b*). In addition to mechanical and color tests, composition analyses and sensory tests were performed. The results were evaluated with statistical methods (single valued and multivariate analysis). During the first 20 d of ripening, an increase in hardness, fracturability, gumminess, chewiness, and yellowness occurred. Simultaneously, adhesiveness, resilience, L* (inside cheese, "i" and external "e"), and cohesiveness decreased. After 20 d of ripening hardness, fracturability, gumminess, and chewiness decreased and cohesiveness increased. The ripening time of Terrincho cheeses can be estimated with 6 variables: L* (external, e), L* (i), b* (inside cheese, i), hardness, a* (i), chewiness, and a constant. The estimation error was 4.2 d. Evaluation of composition, pH, texture profile analyses, color, and related sensory characteristics of Terrincho cheeses from 5 different dairy plants (with 30 d of ripening) revealed correlations between these parameters.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Cheese / analysis*
  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Chemistry, Physical
  • Color
  • Female
  • Food Handling / methods
  • Sensation*
  • Sheep*
  • Time Factors