Abstract: A stabilized, natural biogenerated cheddar flavor component, which may be used to prepare food products having flavor characteristics of traditional style cheeses, and a process for manufacturing the biogenerated cheddar flavor component is provided. The cheese flavor component is stabilized against the growth of spoilage or pathogenic microorganisms therein. The stabilized cheese flavor component is achieved by addition of a bacteriocin source as part of the fermentation process that accelerates at least part of the fermentation time needed for flavor development. Inclusion of secondary microbial barriers are also provided for. Therefore, production times can be significantly reduced for the flavor component of the present invention without loss of flavor and while improving microbial stability. The flavor component can be used in process cheese, process cheese-type products, or other cheeses. The flavor component can also be used as a natural flavoring system in other food products.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cheese flavor composition and a process for preparing a cheese flavor composition comprising the steps of (a) contacting a protein containing dairy product with a lactic acid culture to form a reaction mixture at a temperature of about 25 to about 45° C. for about 8 to about 72 hours to provide peptides and free amino acids and, (b) contacting the peptides and free amino acids within the reaction mixture with amino acid oxidase to deaminated the peptides and free amino acids to provide ?-keto acids, wherein the ?-keto acids are further metabolized within the reaction mixture to provide flavor compounds. The present invention also provides a food product comprising the cheese flavor composition.

Abstract: A stabilized cheese flavoring system which can be used to prepare very different cheeses having desired flavor profiles in which the flavoring system is stabilized against the growth of spoilage or pathogenic microorganisms therein, while flavor development can be accelerated in one more of its flavor components thereof. The stabilized flavoring systems are obtained by addition of a bacteriocin source as part of fermentation process that accelerates the fermentation time needed for flavor development in one or more of its flavor components, and in at least a sulfur-cheddary component thereof in one embodiment. Therefore, production times can be significantly reduced for one or more of the flavor components of the flavoring system of the present invention without loss of flavor and while improving its microbial stability.