Influence of type of milk and ripening time on proteolysis and lipolysis in a cheese made from overheated milk

A study was carried out in order to assess the influence of the type of milk and of the ripening time on the biochemical changes in Cacioricotta, a craft cheese manufactured from overheated milk. The features of the cheese were strongly influenced by the peculiar cheese-making process, which is also characterized by absence of added starters and 'forced drying' in ventilated room. The electrophoretic patterns revealed heterogeneity of alpha(s)-casein, marked degradation of beta-casein and slight hydrolysis of beta-lactoglobulin in goat's cheese, whereas presence of alpha-lactalbumin and strong hydrolysis of alpha(s)-casein were found in the ovine cheese. In spite of a significant primary proteolysis, the ripening indices of matured cheeses were low, because of poor secondary proteolysis. Lipolysis proved to be the most significant biochemical event of ripening, and was strongly influenced by the type of milk used. The possible reasons of this particular ripening profile are discussed.