Water kefir grains cannot grow in milk. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether water kefir grains can show activity in demineralized whey, an environment containing lactose as a carbon source. The physicochemical, microbiological and sensory properties of water kefir prepared from demineralized whey containing 2% and 5% lactose and raisins or grape juice from two grape varieties (Dimrit and Shiraz) were investigated. It was found that the protein content of the water kefir increased significantly (p < 0.05), especially when grape juice was added. The total soluble solids and viscosity of the samples with grape addition increased significantly (p < 0.05). Total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity increased significantly with grape addition (p < 0.05), with the effect of Shiraz grape being more pronounced. In general, it was found that the content of K, P, Na, Ca and Mg was higher in the samples with grape addition. The sensory properties of water kefir made from dWhey with 2% lactose and grape juice were better. It was also confirmed that viability of water kefir microbiota is better in water kefir drink made from dWhey with 2% lactose due to higher pH value in comparison to dWhey with 5% lactose.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of cheese milk standardization on chemical composition, fat and protein recovery, yield and sensory properties of Croatian soft Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Lički škripavac cheese. Standardization of milk to the casein/fat ratio of 0.7 was carried out by adding skimmed milk powder (SMP) to cheese milk and by skimming part of the milk fat. Results showed that losses of fat by whey were significantly (p < 0.05) lower after Lički škripavac cheese produced from standardized milk by skimming part of the milk fat. Standardization of cheese milk by addition of SMP caused higher losses of protein (p < 0.05) and total solids (p < 0.0001) by whey. Both methods of cheese milk standardization caused a significant (p < 0.01) decrease in milk fat and fat in dry matter content in cheese. In contrast, standardization of cheese milk caused a significant (p < 0.01) increase in protein content in cheese milk. Moisture in non-fat substance (MNFS) significantly (p < 0.05) decreased. Optimization of the casein/fat ratio did not cause a significant increase in fat recovery, but protein recovery significantly increased (p < 0.01). Addition of SMP to cheese milk significantly (p < 0.01) increased actual and adjusted cheese yield. The addition of SMP led to a noticeably higher (p = 0.10) sensory score of Lički škripavac cheese.

The aim of this study is to provide an overview of the specificities (milk characteristics, production process, ripening biochemistry, composition, and sensory properties) and novelties of the world-famous traditional cheeses of the Eastern Mediterranean (EM). The EM area is remarkably heterogeneous (11 countries—Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Türkiye, Cyprus, Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia) in terms of cheese production, but there are some common features that can be associated with EM which are connected to the difficult geoclimaticconditions (hilly terrain and hot summers). Cheesemakers resort to some preservation methods, such as high salt content (in white-brined cheeses), high total solids content (in hard cheeses), the use of hot water in the treatment of the curd (in pasta filata cheeses), the addition of some local herbs with antimicrobial properties, and the use of animal skin sacks for cheese ripening. Due to the high proportion of whey as a by-product, whey is traditionally used in EM for the production of whey cheeses. Preserving the production of traditional EM cheeses is critical to maintaining their cultural significance and meeting the demand of consumers interested in the provenance, craftsmanship, and nutritional value of these unique products.

A few types of cheeses ripened in an animal skin sack are produced around the world: Sir iz mišine (Croatia), Sir iz mijeha (Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro), Tulum and Divle Cave (Turkey), Bouhezza (Algeria) and Darfiyeh (Lebanon). Pronounced and piquant taste, flavour and aroma of these cheeses originate from intensive lipolysis and proteolysis as a result of specific anaerobic conditions inside the skin sack, autochthonous microorganisms from raw milk and skin, as well as their manufacturing procedure. The specific and complex biochemical changes that occur during ripening of cheeses in animal skin sacks have become of great interest to researchers, and numerous studies have been conducted over the last decade. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to review the specificities of proteolytic and lipolytic changes that occur during ripening of cheese in the animal skin sack, which cause the characteristic volatile compounds profile. Moreover, the manufacturing procedures and physico-chemical properties of cheeses is shown due to their relationship with biochemical reactions during cheese ripening. As biochemical changes during ripening directly influence sensory attributes of cheese, which determine consumer preference, this review could provide practical data for cheesemakers to prevent negative consequences of overly intensive biochemical changes during cheese ripening, and so improve the quality of this kind of cheeses.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of composition and proteolysis on textural characteristics of Croatian cheese in a lamb skin sack (Sir iz mišine) over a ripening period of 30 days. Ten ovine milk cheese batches were manufactured according to the traditional manufacturing procedures. The content of total solids, fat, proteins (P<0.05) and salt (P<0.01) significantly increased during cheese ripening. Results of this research showed that αs1-casein hydrolysed more rapid in comparison to the β-casein. An extensive and significant (P<0.05) degradation of αs1-casein was accompanied by significant (P<0.05) accumulation of αs1-I-casein. Although β-casein degradation occurred in cheese to a moderate degree, these changes were not statistically significant. However, the level of γ-casein increased significantly (P<0.01) in cheese throughout ripening. Due to the extensive proteolysis, both TCA-SN (P<0.01) and WSN (P<0.05) significantly increased throughout ripening time. Results showed significant decrease (P<0.05) in hardness, cohesiveness and springiness during cheese ripening along with progress of proteolysis. Weakening effect of caseinolysis predominated over the strengthening effect of moisture loss in the texture development of cheese, which could be attributed to the specific conditions in the animal skin sack during ripening.

This study aims to determine the effects of the autochthonous probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus plantarum B (currently Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis S1 on proteolysis during the ripening of Sir iz mišine—a Croatian cheese which ripens in a lambskin sack. Sir iz mišine was produced in four different variants: (1) from raw milk without starter cultures, and from pasteurized milk with added (2) Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis S1, (3) Lactobacillus plantarum B, or (4) a starter culture consisting of a mixture of Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis S1 and Lactobacillus plantarum B (1:1). The addition of Lactobacillus plantarum B alone or in combination with Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis S1 noticeably increased the alpha and beta indices because of the synergistic activity between the enzymes responsible for primary proteolysis and added autochthonous bacteria. Cheese produced from raw milk had the lowest (12.16%) content of WSN%TN. The highest WSN%TN content was found in cheese produced with combined probiotic bacteria (30.40%) and Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis S1 (29.74%). Cheese with added combined probiotic bacteria had a noticeably higher content of TCA-SN%TN, indicating a synergistic performance among autochthonous probiotic bacteria. In conclusion, autochthonous probiotic bacteria, in addition to having a functional value, can improve the ripening properties of cheese.