ROLE OF MICROCOCCUS AND PEDIOCOCCUS SPECIES IN CHEESE RIPENING - A REVIEW

The secondary flora of cheese contain several kinds of microorganisms including micrococci and pediococci. Micrococci constitute a major portion of the raw milk flora; some thermoduric micrococci survive pasteurization and occur in cheese made from pasteurized milk. Micrococci or pediococci present naturally in cheese milk or added deliberately sometimes improve the flavor and enhance its development in Cheddar cheese. The beneficial role of these bacteria has been related to their proteolytic, lipotyric, and esterolyric activities and to some metabolites produced by them during the ripening process. Their possible use as agents for accelerated ripening of cheese and their advantages and disadvantages for this purpose are described. © 1990, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.