Cheese is one of the dairy products that can result from the enzymatic coagulation of milk. The basic steps of the transformation of milk into cheese are coagulation, draining, and ripening. Ripening is the complex process required for the development of a cheese's flavor, texture and aroma. Proteolysis, lipolysis and glycolysis are the three main biochemical reactions that are responsible for the basic changes during the maturation period. As ripening is a relatively expensive process for the cheese industry, reducing maturation time without destroying the quality of the ripened cheese has economic and technological benefits. Elevated ripening temperatures, addition of enzymes, addition of cheese slurry, attenuated starters, adjunct cultures, genetically engineered starters and recombinant enzymes and microencapsulation of ripening enzymes are traditional and modern methods used to accelerate cheese ripening. In this context, an up to date review of Cheddar cheese ripening is presented.

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Aims:  To study the ability of the probiotic culture Lactobacillus acidophilus La‐5 to produce conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which is a potent anti‐carcinogenic agent. Methods and Results:  The conversion of linoleic acid to CLA was studied both by fermentation in a synthetic medium and by incubation of washed cells. Accumulation of CLA was monitored by gas chromatography analysis of the biomass and supernatants. While the fermentation conditions applied may not be optimal to observe CLA production in growing La‐5 cells, the total CLA surpassed 50% of the original content in the washed cells after 48 h under both aerobic and micro‐aerobic conditions. The restriction of oxygen did not increase the yield, but favoured the formation of trans, trans isomers. Conclusions:  The capability of L. acidophilus La‐5 to produce CLA is not dependant on the presence of milk fat or anaerobic conditions. Regulation of CLA production in this strain needs to be further investigated to exploit the CLA potential in fermented foods. Significance and Impact of the study:  Knowledge gained through the conditions on the accumulation of CLA would provide further insight into the fermentation of probiotic dairy products. The capacity of the nongrowing cells to produce CLA is also of great relevance for the emerging nonfermented probiotic foods.

Given the multiple health benefits of CLA, the capability of some bacteria to convert LA into CLA is of great relevance. Nevertheless, the yields of CLA remain low, and the regulation of the process is far from being understood. A deeper knowledge of this capacity by the genetic studies is revealing the identity of the LI and will eventually contribute to its control.

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