Influence of process temperature and salting methods on starter and NSLAB growth and enzymatic activity during the ripening of cheeses produced with Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus helveticus

Abstract The effect of varying cook temperature (40 or 50 °C) and salting method (dry or brine salting) on bacterial viability, enzymatic activity and chemical composition in cheeses made using Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus helveticus were investigated. Dry salting resulted in decreased cell viability of L. helveticus , increased lactate dehydrogenase activity and increased free amino acid levels, compared with brine salted cheeses, irrespective of cook temperature. A cook temperature of 50 °C resulted in reduced primary proteolysis and increased pH in comparison with that in cheeses cooked to 40 °C. Salting method influenced moisture content with higher levels in brine salted cheeses; cook temperature was also influential with higher cook temperature resulting in lower moisture within each salting method. Variations in manufacture procedure can allow for the development of cheese varieties with novel flavour and texture profiles using existing Cheddar or Swiss-style manufacturing facilities.