EFFECT OF LACTOBACILLUS RHAMNOSUS HOWARU AND LACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS HOWARU PROBIOTIC CULTURES ON SENSORY QUALITY OF EDAM CHEESE

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of two probiotic cultures added, i.e. of Lactobacillus rhamnosus Howaru and Lactobacillus acidophilus Howaru, on the sensory features of Edam cheese. The effect of applying deep frozen concentrate cultures of lactic acid bacteria was the lack of typical nut flavour and cheese eyes, both in the control and the experimental cheese. It was found that the experimental cheese with Lactobacillus acidophilus Howaru added had a softer, flexible consistency (Me-5 after 4 and 6 weeks of ripening) compared with other cheese products (Me-6). However, the cheese manufactured with Lactobacillus rhamnosus Howaru probiotic cultures added was characterized by a considerably more intensive taste and flavour that was typical of a long-ripening cheese (Me-4.5). It was found that between the control cheese and the cheese with Lactobacillus rhamnosus Howaru added, statistically significant flavour differences occurred (p < 0.05). The application of probiotic cultures to the production technology of Edam cheese makes it possible to manufacture cheese with modified sensory features, appearing typical, among other thinks, of the long-riping cheese.