The incorporation of alpha-tocopherol and functional doses of phytosterol esters during cheesemaking does not affect DNA or mRNA dynamics of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactococcus lactis throughout and after the end of ripening

Tocopherols and phytosterols are lipid-soluble molecules which have been widely used in the food industry. Nevertheless, the influence of these compounds on the performance of starter lactic acid bacteria (SLAB) in fermented foods has received little attention. Here, we assessed the behavior of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactococcus lactis during the ripening of a functional Port Salut light cheese elaborated with these SLAB and with alpha-tocopherol and phytosterol esters as bioactive molecules. Functional and control cheeses were manufactured at an industrial plant and sampled at 7, 21, 40, 60 and 90 days after elaboration for real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) or reverse transcription-qPCR (RT-qPCR) experiments. Target DNA and mRNA from both SLAB were detected after 90 days of elaboration in both functional and control cheeses, supporting their potential role in generating flavor metabolites. Furthermore, here we showed for the first time that the addition of alpha-tocopherol and functional doses of phytosterols did not affect DNA or mRNA dynamics of these SLAB during cheesemaking, throughout and after the end of ripening. Therefore, our results support the use of cheese manufactured with both S. thermophilus and L. lactis as an optimal delivery system for these beneficial bioactive compounds.

Inst. de Tecnol. de los Alimentos- ITA

Fil: Pega, Juan Franco. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto Tecnología de Alimentos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Fil: Descalzo, Adriana Maria. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto Tecnología de Alimentos; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA).LABINTEX. Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Déeveloppement. Déepartement PERSYST, UMR Qualisud; Francia

Fil: Nanni, Mariana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto Tecnología de Alimentos; Argentina

Fil: Diaz, Gabriela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto Tecnología de Alimentos; Argentina

Fil: Ruzal, Sandra Monica Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Téecnica; Argentina

Fil: Perez, Carolina Daiana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto Tecnología de Alimentos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Fil: Rossetti, Luciana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto Tecnología de Alimentos; Argentina

Fil: Rizzo, Sergio Anibal. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto Tecnología de Alimentos; Argentina