Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for preparing cheese with low fat content and with improved texture, color and baking properties. The compositions and methods of the invention include acidification of the cheese base and the addition of glycerides to manufacture processed or heated curd cheese with improved properties such as texture, stickiness, color and baking properties.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing soft or firm/semi-hard cheese are provided, as well as soft or firm/semi-hard cheese prepared by the methods. The methods typically involve the formation of a slurry that contains blended or molten cheese curd. A variety of ingredients can be introduced into the curd used to prepare the slurry, the slurry that is formed, or at other stages along the manufacturing process to tailor the performance and nutritional characteristics of the final cheese product. The slurry in some methods is directly processed to form a final cheese product. In other methods, the slurry undergoes various types of processing to achieve certain desired composition or performance requirements.

Abstract: The invention provides moist cheeses of uniform composition that are readily and inexpensively made by acidifying milk prior to beginning the cheese making process.

Abstract: Methods of preparing cheese products are described. The methods may include the step of converting at least a portion of a protein containing starting milk into discrete curd particles, and forming the curd particles into a cheese precursor. The cheese precursor may be combined with a slurry to form an admixture. The admixture may be processed into the cheese product. Also described are continuous methods of making a cheese product. The methods may include suppressing formation of a coagulum in a starting milk while adding a coagulation agent. The starting milk may be passed along a flow path, and one or more of the temperature and the pH may be adjusted to allow the formation of curd particles within the flow. The curd particles may be formed into a cheese precursor, which is combined with a slurry to form an admixture that may be processes into the cheese product.

Abstract: Method for producing novel cheese products having a fibrous texture and a fresh and lactic taste by processing an initial raw material which includes a drawn-curd cheese having a firm and fibrous texture, adding a defined quantity of fermented milk product and processing the mixture.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for producing cream cheese using a specific combination of milk and milk fractions. It further relates to cream cheese which is characterized by a unique combination of levels of minerals, lactose and protein and which may be obtained by the process of the present disclosure.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for enhancing the yield of coagulated milk products including cheese and other fermented milk products. Admixture of structurally expanded cellulose into milk allows substantial incorporation of additional whey solids and fluids into the caseinate matrix. The resulting interactive particle network comprising the cellulosic microfibril substructure and caseinate curd is readily manipulated by standard methods employed in the dairy industry to produce a variety of natural and processed dairy products with increased yield.

Abstract: Technique for making a cream cheese product comprising steps of: providing a milkfat fluid comprising butterfat; pasteurizing the milkfat fluid; homogenizing the milkfat fluid; and culturing bacteria in the milkfat fluid; producing a cream cheese product comprising live probiotic bacteria cultures. Cream cheese product comprising: between about 10% by weight and about 55% by weight of total butterfat; and a live probiotic bacteria culture.

Abstract: Technique for making a Low-Fat Yogurt-Cheese Composition, including: providing a composition including a milkfat fluid; combining yogurt with the composition including a milkfat fluid to form a composition including yogurt and a milkfat fluid; combining milk protein with the composition including yogurt and a milkfat fluid; and forming a blend including the milk protein and the composition including yogurt and a milkfat fluid. Low-Fat Yogurt-Cheese Composition, including: cream cheese at a concentration within a range of between about 75% by weight and about 15% by weight; yogurt at a concentration within a range of between about 40% by weight and about 10% by weight; and milk protein at a concentration within a range of between about 45% by weight and about 15% by weight.

Abstract: Culturally modified lactic acid bacterial cells containing a porphyrin compound and their use in a novel method of reducing the oxygen content in a food and feed product or starting material is provided and means of improving the shelf life and/or quality of such products by using the culturally modified bacterial cells. Such culturally modified cells are useful in the manufacturing of a food and a feed product and for the manufacturing of metabolites produced by modified cells.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for producing a fermented dairy product, preferably cheese, comprising inoculating milk with lactic acid bacteria capable of producing a Class IIa type bacteriocin; and lactic acid bacteria capable of producing a Class I type bacteriocin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cream cheese product obtainable by a process comprising the steps of: (a) acidifying a whey protein concentrate with a food grade acidulant or with starter bacteria to reduce the pH to more than 4.5 to about 5.2, (b) heating the acidified whey protein concentrate of step (a) slowly to a temperature of about 75° to about 90° C. and maintaining it for at least about 30 min to produce a 1.5 functional whey protein concentrate, (c) optionally blending the whey protein concentrate of step (b) with milk fat in a weight ratio of about 60:40 to about 100:0 wherein step (c) may be carried out before step (b), (d) homogenizing the blend obtained in step (b) or (c) in a 2-stage high-pressure homogenizer at pressures of about 300-400/50-80 bar and a temperature of about 5° to about 75° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved Streptococcus thermophilus. The invention is based on the surprising finding that a putative lantibiotic operon in Streptococcus thermophilus is required for community formation. The operon is a 6.4 kb region that comprises three open reading frames: a lantibiotic biosynthesis protein (dehydratase—SWISSPROT REF: Q5M6E4), a lantiobiotic biosynthesis protein (cyclase—SWISSPROT REF: Q5M6E3) and a lantibiotic efflux protein (permease—SWISSPROT REF: Q70C59). Inhibiting the function of this operon inhibits community formation. Streptococcus thermophilus with a reduced ability to form communities are useful in the processing, producing or manufacturing of dairy products, in particular cheese, where Streptococcus thermophilus are often used as a starter culture.

Abstract: Provided is a method whereby a dairy product having a rich and creamy texture can be obtained by reducing or removing a reaction inhibitor of a protein deamidating enzyme contained in a raw material milk having low heat history to thereby more efficiently and more effectively treat the raw material milk having low heat history with a protein deamidating enzyme. A raw material milk having low heat history is treated with a protein deamidating enzyme after or simultaneously with a treatment, such as an addition of a calcium chelating agent, for reducing a protein deamidating enzyme inhibitor.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for producing cheese with S. thermophilus and a urease inhibitor, and for producing hard or semi-hard cheese, such as cheddar, with S. thermophilus that is partially or completely deficient in its ability to release ammonia from urea are provided. Methods and compositions for reducing the amount of open texture (e.g., slits, cracks, or fractures) in hard and semi-hard cheeses, as well as hard and semi-hard cheeses that comprise one or more S. thermophilus bacteria that are partially or completely deficient in their ability to release ammonia from urea, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a food product whereby an intermediate form of said food product comprises a pigment, which process comprises adding at least one enzyme that is effective in directly converting said pigment into a form which results in increasing the whiteness of at least part of the food product compared to the food product for which said enzyme is not added during its production. The invention also relates to food products obtained from the process of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel enzyme composition comprising a prolyl protease and tripeptidyl proteases having unique catalytic properties. The present invention further relates to methods for producing the enzyme composition as well as a pharmaceutical composition and a food supplement containing the enzyme composition and its use in the degradation of polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fresh dairy product with low fat and sugar content and low energy density, comprising one or several satietogenic ingredients, as well as a method for making such a product. Said satietogenic ingredient(s) comprise proteins, in particular milk proteins and preferably serum milk proteins, associated with water-soluble dietary fibers and preferably viscosifying water-soluble dietary fibers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for producing cheese in which the method includes the steps of: providing dairy milk, which could be a skimmed milk and cream mixture; producing a gel-type curd/whey mixture by coagulation; and cutting the curd/whey mixture in a cheese processor such that the whey flows out of the curd.

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: Process includes: forming milk-plant fat composition including first amount of milk composition that includes milk fat and milk protein, and second amount of plant fat composition that includes plant fat; inoculating milk-plant fat composition with lactic acid-producing bacteria; culturing the bacteria; and separating milk-plant fat composition, forming milk-plant fat-curd cheese, and whey composition. Further in process, milk-plant fat composition has concentration by weight of total solids selected as being within range of between about 17% and about 21%. Additionally in process, milk-plant fat composition has first concentration by weight of milk protein and second concentration by weight of combined fats including milk fat and plant fat, wherein ratio of first concentration divided by second concentration is selected as being within range of between about 0.19 and about 0.26. Composition: milk-plant fat-curd cheese.

Abstract: Process: providing concentrated milk composition including milk protein; providing plant fat composition including plant fat; combining first amount of concentrated milk composition together with second amount of plant fat composition, forming concentrated milk-plant fat composition having initial pH and having concentration by weight of water being within range of between about 49%-57%; combining concentrated milk-plant fat composition together with amount of edible acid, and directly setting by adjusting initial pH to reduced pH being within range of between about 4.9-4.5, forming direct-set milk-plant fat product; and combining first amount of direct-set milk-plant fat product together with second amount of cultured cream cheese-type product, forming cream cheese-type composition. Process also includes providing concentrated milk composition and plant fat composition respectively at first and second temperatures being at least about 20° F. above melting points of respective compositions.

Abstract: Described herein is a high moisture, preserved cheese product having enhanced microbial food safety and methods of making the high moisture, preserved cheese product. Enhanced microbial food safety is achieved by using a combination of organic food preserving acids, a nisin component and an enzyme.

Abstract: Methods for preparing cheese are provided that involve combining a slurry with a cheese precursor to form an admixture that is subsequently processed to form the cheese product. The slurry typically includes a liquid such as water, milk and/or cream and one or more ingredients that are useful for inclusion in the final cheese product. Systems for preparing such slurries and cheese products are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing processed cheese without emulsifying salts, comprising: (a) providing a dairy liquid composition or a gelled dairy composition or both, comprising casein, at least part of which has a proportion of its divalent ions, including calcium ions, replaced with sodium or potassium ions; (b) cooking the composition or the combination of compositions to obtain an emulsion, and (c) cooling the cooked composition to obtain a processed cheese; wherein a substantially insoluble calcium source is mixed with at least one of the compositions at any time before the processed cheese forms in step (c).

Abstract: An object is to provide a pasteurized fresh cheese which has a smooth texture and a good taste, shows little water release, scarcely shows a lowering in pH or acidity and has a long best-before period. The objective is achieved by a method for processing a pasteurized fresh cheese comprising the steps of: (a) coagulating a starting milk material to obtain a curd; (b) adding a stabilizer to the curd; (c) pasteurizing the curd by heating; and, (d) separating a whey from the curd to obtain a cheese curd.

Abstract: A thermostable glycosidase enzymes derived from various Thermococcus, Staphylothermus and Pyrococcus organisms is disclosed. The enzymes are produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be utilized in the food processing industry, pharmaceutical industry and in the textile industry, detergent industry and in the baking industry.

Abstract: A novel method for producing a natural cheese is described. The present method utilizes a combination of heating, mechanical processing and pH changes to produce a natural cheese.

Abstract: A method of producing a plant biostimulant includes hydrolyzing bacterial cells to obtain a hydrolysate and formulating the hydrolysate as a plant biostimulant for foliar application or application as a soil adjuvant.

Abstract: Methods of making acid and rennet-based cheeses include processing a previous lot of milk to produce curds and whey from the previous lot of milk, and removing the whey from the curd. For cottage cheeses, curds are washed with a wash water. Whey and wash water (when used) include fine particles of curd, which are collected, added, and mixed into a subsequent lot of milk preferably using a mixer such as a homogenizer or colloid mill. Mixing preferably reduces the fine particle size of at least a plurality of the fine particles and increases the total amount of surface area thereof. Fine particles are reincorporated into the matrix of the curd made from the subsequent lot of milk, which increases curd yield. Also provided is a higher yield cheese that is made from a subsequent lot of milk that includes fine particles of curd from a previous lot of milk.

Abstract: A dead cell of a lactic acid bacterium or a culture containing the dead cell of a lactic acid bacterium is added to the dairy products such as yogurt, cheese, milk beverage or the like in an amount of 0.001 wt % or more in dry weight of the dead cell, therefore, it is possible to enhance the growth of a lactic acid bacterium, to shorten the time required for fermentation, and to improve the viability of a lactic acid bacterium during storage over a long period, without affecting the flavor or production cost of the dairy product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the manufacture of cheese, in particular hard and semi-hard cheese types. There is provided a process for the manufacture of a natural cheese comprising the steps of inoculating milk with a bacterial starter culture, adding rennet to form a curd, and subjecting the curd to a salting step by the addition of salt wherein a hydrocolloid or mixture thereof is added to the curd during the salting step and the hydrocolloid or mixture thereof replaces at least part of the salt or is in addition to the salt used during the salting step. There is also provided the use of such a salt and hydrocolloid mixture as a process aid during the salting step of natural cheese production.

Abstract: A novel cold-active beta-galactosidase is enzyme specific for lactose. The enzyme is thus useful in e.g. the food industry for catalyzing at low temperatures the hydrolysis of lactose disaccharide into its constituent monosaccharides, glucose and galactose. A method produces the cold-active beta-galactosidase by recombinant DNA technology.

Abstract: A beverage composition is disclosed that comprises a mixture of a protein hydrolysate and vitamin B2, and also contains an amount of ascorbic acid sufficient to prevent the generation of an off-flavor when the mixture is exposed to light. The off-flavor generated upon exposure to light can be reduced in accordance with the beverage composition of the present invention. Also disclosed is a method for preventing an off-flavor in a beverage composition containing a protein hydrolysate and vitamin B2, and a process for producing a beverage composition containing a protein hydrolysate and vitamin B2. Furthermore, an agent for preventing an off-flavor in a beverage composition containing a protein hydrolysate and vitamin B2, wherein the agent comprises ascorbic acid as an active ingredient is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to equipment for preparing cheese or a cheese product containing at least one heat-sensitive compound having a positive nutritional effect such as a probiotic bacterium. The preparation method of the invention comprises: hot mixing a cheese paste and at least one compound having a positive nutritional effect, such as a probiotic bacterium, a seric protein, a vitamin or a micronutrient; and hot-metering the mixture thus obtained into a container (10) that is the subsequent packaging of the cheese or cheese product. According to the invention, the mixing is carried out immediately before the metering for a duration lower than 10 seconds and at a temperature higher than or equal to 60° C. in order to achieve a minimized thermal spoilage rate of the compound or each compound in said container for the entire product shelf life.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cheese product having a blue cheese flavor and appearance a method of making the same. The method includes generating a coagulum comprising whey and curd from a pasteurized milk product, cutting and stirring the coagulum to release the whey from the curd, draining the whey from the curd, forming an emulsifier, adding the emulsifier to the curd, and pressing the curd into blocks. The emulsifier is preferably formed by blending oil and a paste and heating the oil and the paste. The paste preferably includes, among other ingredients, inert Penicillium roqueforti. A preferred version of the method further includes adding black pepper and ash to the curd. The resulting cheese product, unlike blue cheese, is elastic, does not crumble, and can be sliced and shredded.

Abstract: Provided is a method whereby a dairy product having a rich and creamy texture can be obtained by reducing or removing a reaction inhibitor of a protein deamidating enzyme contained in a raw material milk having low heat history to thereby more efficiently and more effectively treat the raw material milk having low heat history with a protein deamidating enzyme. A raw material milk having low heat history is treated with a protein deamidating enzyme after or simultaneously with a treatment, such as an addition of a calcium chelating agent, for reducing a protein deamidating enzyme inhibitor.

Abstract: A method of making an aldobionate product is described. The method may include providing a milk product having one or more reducing sugars, and maintaining a pH of the milk product at about 5.5 or more by adding a buffer compound to the milk product. The method may also include adding an oxidoreductase enzyme to the milk product, where at least a portion of the reducing sugar is oxidized into the aldobionate product. In addition, a method of making an aldobionate product is described that includes the steps of providing a milk product comprising a reducing sugar, mixing oxygen into the milk product, and adding an oxidoreductase enzyme to the milk product, where at least a portion of the reducing sugar is oxidized into the aldobionate product.

Abstract: Shelf stable cheeses, especially shredded cheeses, and the manufacture thereof. Cheeses of the invention have good melting properties, are microbiologically safe and resistant to the growth of mold and pathogens when stored at room temperature, and can maintain physical integrity when subjected to temperature abuse. The cheese may be comprised of a mixture of salts (e.g., sodium chloride, disodium phosphate, sodium hexametophosphate, sodium alginate, titanium dioxide, sorbic acid, and the like), starch (e.g., waxy maize and the like), water, cheese, and cheese for manufacture.

Abstract: Process for producing a soft cheese with a natural moldy rind, the starting material being a milk, this process comprising the steps of preparing a cheese slurry, inoculation with microorganisms, ripening, heat treatment by immersing in an atmosphere saturated with steam or in a water bath. This process makes it possible to obtain a cheese which may be packaged and preserved in the form of slices.

Abstract: Protease-like nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides and fragments and variants thereof are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, protease-like fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-protease-like antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and cells into which the vectors have been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides and methods of use for the polypeptides of the invention are further disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dairy product with smooth oral sensation and suppressed acidic taste and bitter taste and a method for manufacturing the same, wherein a protein deamidating enzyme is added to raw milk to act on the milk protein in the raw milk.

Abstract: A method of producing curd or cheese from a milk composition comprising the following steps: (1) heat-treating the milk composition; (2) treating the milk composition or a fraction thereof with a phospholipase; (3) adding protein hydrolysate, preferably yeast extract, to the heat-treated milk composition before or after the heat treatment; (4) coagulating the heat treated milk to form a gel; (5) processing the formed gel into a curd and separating the whey from the curd; and (6) optionally making cheese from the curd.

Abstract: Methods of preparing cheese products are described. The methods may include the step of converting at least a portion of a protein containing starting milk into discrete curd particles, and forming the curd particles into a cheese precursor. The cheese precursor may be combined with a slurry to form an admixture. The admixture may be processed into the cheese product. Also described are continuous methods of making a cheese product. The methods may include suppressing formation of a coagulum in a starting milk while adding a coagulation agent. The starting milk may be passed along a flow path, and one or more of the temperature and the pH may be adjusted to allow the formation of curd particles within the flow. The curd particles may be formed into a cheese precursor, which is combined with a slurry to form an admixture that may be processes into the cheese product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing cheese from enzyme-treated cheese milk, and the use of the resulting produced cheese as ingredient in food products. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for producing cheese from cheese milk treated with a enzyme selected from the group of phospholipases, in particular phospholipase A1, A2 and B. Also, the present invention relates to a process for stabilizing the fat emulsion of a milk composition, e.g. cream, and the use of such stabilized milk composition, e.g. for the manufacturing of UHT-cream or cream liquor.

Abstract: Fermented milk drinks and foods containing fermented milk components obtained by fermentation with lactic acid bacteria together with a growth promoter for lactic acid bacteria selected from among ginger extract, tea extract, green onion extract, or oleic acid and derivatives thereof, and a process for producing the fermented milk drinks and foods involving the step of culturing lactic acid bacteria in a medium containing the growth promoter for lactic acid bacteria. These fermented milk drinks and foods can contain a large number of viable cells of lactic acid bacteria and sustain the activity (acid producing ability) of the bacteria at a high level.

Abstract: Technique for making a cream cheese product comprising steps of: providing a milkfat fluid comprising butterfat; pasteurizing the milkfat fluid; homogenizing the milkfat fluid; and culturing bacteria in the milkfat fluid; producing a cream cheese product comprising live probiotic bacteria cultures. Cream cheese product comprising: between about 10% by weight and about 55% by weight of total butterfat; and a live probiotic bacteria culture.

Abstract: A process for transferring energy to the contents of a vat. An embodiment transfers an amount of heat energy needed to heat cheese curd and whey inside the vat according to a specified time and temperature. An energy substrate, such as steam and/or water, carries heat energy to a vat jacket. The embodiment calculates the total process energy required to be transferred to the vat contents to cook the cheese in accordance with a recipe. The total process energy is a function of the energy input to the vat minus the energy output from the vat. Small losses of energy from the vat to the atmosphere occur. These small losses are accounted for by use of historical efficiency data for each vat. The historical efficiency is continuously monitored and any deviation from the historical efficiency is factored into the energy transfer calculation for subsequent cheese batches.

Abstract: Method of producing a cheese, according to which: a cheese curd is prepared; from the cheese curd there is prepared an intermediate cheese body; a first treatment at a temperature of from 40 to 90° C. is carried out on the cheese body; a texturizing treatment is carried out at the temperature of the first treatment in order to obtain a textured body; the textured body is subjected to a second heat treatment by ohmic heating at a temperature of from 80 to 140° C. for from 10 seconds to 5 minutes; the body obtained is cooled to a temperature below 100° C. in order to obtain a cheese; and the cheese is packaged.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving quality of cheese produced from a milk batch. A light beam from an incident light source impinges onto a surface of the milk batch, and light backscatter is optically detected during a coagulation process and correlated to an optimum cutting time for the milk coagulum. Next, light backscattered from a curd and whey mixture derived from the milk batch during a syneresis process is optically detected and correlated to an optimum syneresis endpoint. At least one of the backscattered light data, optical parameters developed from analysis of the backscattered light data, and whey fat dilution are correlated to at least one of a milk protein %, a milk fat %, a milk total solids content, a milk processing temperature, a curd moisture content, a curd moisture change over time, whey fat content, a whey fat loss, and a final curd yield.