Klila, an Algerian cheese produced in steppe and mountainous areas, is proving increasingly popular with consumers. It is traditionally made with ewe, goat or cow milk, leading to a product with high dry matter content (> 90%). In this work, we have characterized three different Klila cheeses made with the three different milks using physico-chemical and microbiological parameters. A triangle test was also performed on naïve consumers, and the three types of Klila were clearly distinguished by sensory analysis. They exhibited distinct features, in particular very low Aw (< 0.5) and pH values (< 4.5) preserving them from pathogens. Lactobacilli and enterococci were counted at low levels (< 4 log (cfu)/g) as well as some spore-forming bacteria (< 3 log (cfu)/g). Colonies were picked from MRS and BEA media. They were identified by sequencing and characterized on their ability to produce lactic acid and using REP-PCR. Lb plantarum was the main species isolated, followed by Pediococcus pentosaceus, Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroïdes and Lactobacillus fermentum. The Enterococcus genus was dominated by Ec durans, Ec faecium and Ec hirae. Among these two main populations, different subgroups were observed by means of the REP-PCR profiles and the lactic acid production of the isolates. Some strains were found in two and even three cheeses. We suppose that these microbes are representative of the environmental context in which Klila is produced.

This paper reviews the traditional practice of Klila production, its microbiological, physicochemical and nutritional properties and aims to raise awareness of Klila. The main objective of this review is to highlight the typicality of Klila and to propose a form of labelling that could help promote it. The Klila is a traditional extra hard cheese from southern Algeria. Nomadic tribes produce it from goat, sheep, or cow milk. Curdled milk is obtained by spontaneous fermentation. It is churned to recover the butter. The co-product, a sour, fat-free milk: Lben, undergoes a moderate heat treatment to get a fresh cheese which, after a dehydration process, gives the Klila. The chemical composition of this product varies regarding fat content. It has a very low water content (less than 10%) and comes in very hard pieces of varying size and irregular shape. The dry matter, for instance, can vary from 33 to 95%. Water availability (Aw) varies from 0.32 to 0.467. Fat rate can vary a lot from region to region from 9.5 to 29.3 g/100 g of cheese. The protein rate also varies a lot: between 29.9 and 71.4 g/100 g of cheese. The lactose concentration can range within 1.2 to 2.4 g/100 mL. The microbiological quality of Klila depends mainly on the quality of the raw milk used and all hygienic factors that surround milk production. The physicochemical conditions that prevail inside Klila are not favourable for the microbial growth. The Klila is an example of adaptation of the nomads’ lifestyle in the Algerian Sahara who use it as a culinary adjunct for nutritional and therapeutic purposes. The Klila can be grinded to be put as ingredient in “Zrizri” dessert with dates and clarified butter (smen). Some people prefer to consume fresh Klila with dates and green tea.

The main purpose of this study is to characterize the isolated

Southwest Algeria has a significant but little studied biodiversity, closely associated with a diverse cultural heritage. Medicinal plants are commonly used by the local population as traditional therapeutic treatments. This study was carried out with the aim of inventorying the spontaneous species used by the populations of the Ain Sefra region (south-western Algeria) and to gather information on the ancestral know-how of the local populations in terms of therapeutic use. The ethno-botanical survey was carried out using a semi-structured questionnaire among local herbalists practising in the study area. The data collected was analysed using quantitative indices such as species use value (UV), informant consensus factor (FIC) and fidelity level (FL). The results showed that 48 spontaneous medicinal plants were recognised and identified as medicinal species. These plants belonged to 28 families, of which the families Asteraceae and Lamiaceae are the most represented with 18% and 12% respectively. The leaves are the most used parts for medicinal purposes with decoction being the most used mode. Thus according to the (UV) Juniperus thurifera L. and Cotula cinerea Delile are the most used. Thus Artemisia herb alba Asso had the highest level of fidelity (100%) for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. In conclusion, this study revealed that the local population of the Ain Sefra region has a strong ethnobotanical knowledge and still uses local spontaneous medicinal species to treat several diseases.