Preparation Or Treatment Of Cheese Curd Or Cheese Patents (Class 426/36)
  • Publication number: 20080220124
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising a whey protein and an active compound, wherein the composition releases at most 30 wt % of the active compound when hydrated in Jennes-Koops buffer at room temperature during a period of 30 minutes. The invention also relates to a production method for the composition. During the cheese making process this composition can be added to milk. The enzymes are then mainly released from the particle after the separation of curd from the whey has taken place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: DSM IP ASSETS B.V.
    Inventors: Albertus Alard Van Dijk, Lambertus Jacobus Otto Guillonard, Andre Leonardus Roos
  • Publication number: 20080187624
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wheyless process for preparing natural mozzarella string cheese using dry dairy ingredients. This process enables the manufacture of string cheese from non-perishable or shelf-stable ingredients such as dried milk protein concentrate and anhydrous milkfat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Richard Harold Lincourt, Arlene Cheryl Clarkson
  • Publication number: 20080160133
    Abstract: A whey-based cream cheese food product is disclosed that comprises at least about 60% moisture, less than about 20% fat, less than about 20% protein, wherein the protein component is made up of at least 50% whey protein, and about 0.4 to about 15% of a carbohydrate-based texturizing composition, and methods of manufacture thereof, to provide a food product with a creamy and firm texture comparable to a full fat conventional casein-based cream cheese food product. The carbohydrate-based texturizing composition is made up of about 37 to about 96% low dextrose equivalent maltodextrin or oligofructose, about 1 to about 50% of at least one gum, and optionally about 0.1 to about 19% starch blend. The method of manufacture may include either a fermentation process or a one-day acidification process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: KRAFT FOOD HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Tamara Vaughn Brooks, Alice Shen Cha, Isabelle Marie-Francoise Laye, Andrew Edward McPherson, Ellen Y. Zhao
  • Publication number: 20080124428
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to reduced fat cheese blends and methods of producing reduced fat cheese blends having enhanced organoleptic properties relative to conventional reduced fat cheeses of a similar type and having approximately the same fat content produced by traditional make formulas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: KRAFT FOODS HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Jon Reeve, Jenni Justiz
  • Publication number: 20080113065
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the rapid preparation of a starter culture which method comprises: (a) inoculating a starter culture in a medium of HTST-pasteurized whole milk, semi skimmed milk, skimmed milk, whey or milk protein having 6 to 17% dry solids; (b) preferably including a stimulant in the starter culture; and (c) incubating the starter culture with or without pH-control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Arthur Louis Maria Simonetti, Gary K. Burningham, Brian J. Orme, Randall Kirk Thunell
  • Patent number: 7361754
    Abstract: Mutational inactivation of proteins involved in para-cresol production in certain milk products results in improved taste and odor. The undesirable para-cresol forms over time as a result of enzymes produced by the bacterium that produces gellan gum. Since the gellan is typically used in a relatively unpurified form, the enzymes are added to the milk along with the gellan. Inactivation of the enzymes is a genetic means of eliminating the enzymes without requiring any additional purification or processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: CP Kelco US, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Cleary, Russell J. Coleman, Nancy E. Harding, Yamini N. Patel
  • Publication number: 20080050467
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition and a method of preparing cheese products with a suitable moisture level. The cheese products that have been formed using the composition are characterised with an improve at least one of aroma, flavour, mildness, consistency, texture, syneresis, body, mouth feel, firmness, viscosity, gel fracture, wheying off, structure and/or organoleptic properties, nutrition and/or health benefits. In particular, the present invention provides a composition comprising a starter acidification micro-organism and an EPS fermentation culture comprising a viable micro-organism an enzyme produced by said micro-organism and an exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by the activity of said enzyme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: Danisco A/S
    Inventors: Ralf-Christian Schlothauer, Inez Rademacher, Hans-Uwe Petersen, Jorg Hinrichs, Soren Kristian Lillevang
  • Patent number: 7329424
    Abstract: Process for manufacturing cheeses and other dairy products, and the resulting products, in which lactobionic acid is added, or generated in situ, in combination with a dairy component in the course of the process. The lactobionic acid can be used as the sole acidulent for direct acidification of the cheese, or in conjunction with reduced amounts of lactic acid culture. When the lactobionic acid is generated in situ during cheese manufacture according to the invention, a lactose oxidase is used in one embodiment to convert lactose intrinsically present in the dairy liquid ingredient(s) into lactobionic acid. The organoleptic attributes of the cheeses made using lactobionic acid as an ingredient are satisfactory and fully suitable. The process can be applied to the production of a wide variety of cheeses, including, for example, cream cheeses, hard cheeses such as cheddar, UF cheeses, process cheeses, cheddar cheeses, and so forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramarathna Koka, David W. Mehnert, Rudolf J. Fritsch, Wolfram Steffan, Peter Habermeier, Allan G. W. Bradbury, Alan Wolfschoon-Pombo, Mehran Rose, Gitte Budolfsen Lynglev, Hans Peter Heldt-Hansen
  • Patent number: 7323204
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a fermented and clarified nisin-containing whey and a method of making that can be used to produce a stabilized food product by adding, for example, to the pack water of fresh mozzarella cheese. The resulting stabilized food product retards or limits below detection levels the growth of toxins from pathogenic bacterial contaminants when the nisin-containing whey is added in amounts between about 10 to about 30% to the food product. The stabilized food product improves the safety of the food by retarding the growth of Listeria monocytogenes and improves the shelf life of the product by retarding the growth of gas forming bacteria such as bacteria from the Leuconostoc species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Zuoxing Zheng, David Mehnert, Susan Monckton
  • Patent number: 7279192
    Abstract: The present invention provides shelf-stable shredded cheeses and methods of preparing such shelf-stable shredded cheeses using a combination of a natural or process cheese, a cheese powder, glycerin, and a filler. The shredded cheeses of this invention are shelf-stable at ambient temperatures, have good organoleptic properties, and exhibit good melt restriction and essentially no browning upon melting. The shredded cheeses of this invention are especially adapted for incorporated into, or use on or with, snack foods (e.g., chips) for retail sale which can be stored at ambient temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Amna Munji Abboud, Jackie Robinson Epps, Timothy Dean Babcock, Amber Okwuosah
  • Patent number: 7267831
    Abstract: A method of making a processed cheese with improved firmness comprises mixing a protein cross-linking enzyme and optionally first other ingredients with a cheese material having a pH of less than 5.6, a moisture content of less than 60% and preferably containing one or more coagulating agents, to form a mixture; providing temperature and pH conditions and allowing time for the enzyme to react with protein in the mixture to cross link at least a portion of the protein; and combining one or more emulsifying agents and optionally second other ingredients with the mixture and heating the combination to thereby produce processed cheese from the combined cheese material contain cross-linked proteins, emulsifying agents and optional first and second other ingredients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Schreiber Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeng-Jung Yee, Charles C. Hunt
  • Patent number: 7250183
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cheese product and a novel method for preparing a cheese product. More specifically, this invention relates to cream cheese product prepared using an edible fat and polymerized whey protein, as a protein source, obtainable from a whey protein concentrate. A cream cheese product prepared according to the present method exhibits an unexpected increase in firmness and has excellent syneresis properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Ted Riley Lindstrom, Amanda Dees Mehring, Heather Michelle Hudson
  • Patent number: 7235271
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a cheese-like dairy product, characterized by adding at least 10 wt %, relative to the starting material milk, of water containing Paenibacillus sp. bacteria or water that has been treated with immobilized cells of Paenibacillus sp. Bacteria into starting material milk, followed by maintaining at a prescribed temperature, separating off the curd thus formed, and performing productization with or without further maturing; a cheese-like dairy product thus produced; and a water purifier packed with a support having Paenibacillus sp. bacteria immobilized thereon and a filter medium as a packing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Mahoroba Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuhei Miyashita
  • Patent number: 7214319
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a method of separating casein from animal milk, especially, after defatting the animal milk as the pretreatment, the processing of the defatted milk aforesaid through a ceramic filtration membrane to remove the casein in the milk. The pretreatment process of separating the casein from the milk is then complemented by other processes of purification, so as to obtain the target protein of higher purity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Animal Technology Institute Taiwan
    Inventors: Chon Ho Yen, Mei Ling Lin
  • Patent number: 7186427
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a fermented dairy product including the use of an oxidase for the conversion of lactose to lactobionic acid. Moreover, it refers to a method for affecting firmness and/or sourness of a fermented dairy product. Hereby is produced a fermented dairy product having improved functional and/or organoleptic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Novozymes A/S
    Inventors: Gitte Budolfsen Lynglev, Rathna Koka, David W. Mehnert, Rudolf J. Fritsch
  • Patent number: 7157108
    Abstract: The invention relates to dried milk protein concentrates and their use. In particular the invention relates to such dried concentrates which have been calcium-depleted to an extent which allows improvements in the use of dried milk protein concentrates in cheese manufacture. The invention includes a method of cheese manufacture comprising: (a) dispersing in milk a dried MPC or MPI having at least 70% dry matter as milk protein; (b) treating the resulting mixture with one or more coagulating enzymes to produce a curd; and (c) processing the curd to make cheese; wherein the dried MPC or MPI is a calcium-depleted MPCF or MPI and the extend of calcium depletion is sufficient to allow manufacture of substantially nugget-free cheese.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: New Zealand Dairy Board
    Inventors: Ganugapati Vijaya Bhaskar, Harjinder Singh, Neil D. Blazey
  • Patent number: 7108876
    Abstract: A process improves the quality of recombined curd, milled cheese curds and/or cheese components by reducing voids and apparent lines of fracture in the recombined cheese, without the necessity of adding such volumes or types of materials into the product as would affect other aspects of quality such as taste. The process comprises combining segments of curds or cheese with a selected quantity of transglutaminase that coats surfaces of curd or cheese segments to be combined. The curds may be milled cheese curds, and may be taken directly off-line in the manufacturing process 9 with or without cooling), and then combined with the transglutaminase, then fed into a form. The segments with the transglutaminase are stored at a temperature (and pressure) and for a time sufficient to fuse, bond, lessen, repair or reverse the apparent lines and voids between interfaces where the segments are in contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Nutricepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Grindstaff, Rulon A. Chappell
  • Patent number: 7083815
    Abstract: A process for making a yogurt cream cheese product comprising steps of: providing a milkfat fluid having an initial butterfat content level; pasteurizing the milkfat fluid to yield a cream cheese precursor; providing a yogurt, and combining the yogurt with the cream cheese precursor to yield a combined precursor; and homogenizing and acidifying the combined precursor; yielding a yogurt cream cheese product. A yogurt cream cheese product comprising between about 8% by weight and about 35% by weight of total butterfat; the yogurt cream cheese product comprising between about 10% by weight and about 40% by weight of yogurt, having a viscosity between about 1,000,000 centipoises and about 3,000,000 centipoises at a temperature of about 74° F.; and yielding less than about 1% syneresis by weight after 15 hours at about 74° F. to about 75° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Franklin Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon R. Gutknecht, John B. Ovitt
  • Patent number: 7041323
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of cheese manufacturing. In particular, there is provided a novel method for making cheese involving the preparation of a cheese curd using a curdling agent and wherein a lactic acid bacterial starter culture is introduced into the resulting cheese curd. The advantage of the present method is that is possible to produce a large amount of cheese curd which may subsequently be divided into smaller portions each of which can be inoculated with specific and designed lactic acid bacterial starter culture to obtain different types of cheese or different ripening profile (storage time) for the same cheese type. Thus, this method is useful in the manufacturing of a variety of cheese types originating from a single curd.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Lact Innovation APS
    Inventor: Kim Toft Andersen
  • Patent number: 6998145
    Abstract: An improved method for making cheese is provided. The method comprises pasteurizing and acidifying one or more dairy components to obtain a cheese diary product. The cheese dairy product is coagulated to form a coagulum comprising curd and whey. The coagulum is cut and the whey is removed therefrom, thereby leaving the curd. The curd is heated and kneaded to produce a fiberous mass. An extender is added to the curd or to the fiberous mass, and the extender comprises at least one source of fat. The fiberous mass is processed to produce a cheese product. By this method. By this method, the casein/fat ratio can be increased early in the process so that less fat is wasted through removal with the whey. The fat content of the cheese product can then increased later in the process through the use of the extender, thereby creating a more cost-effective product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: ConAgra Dairy Products Company
    Inventors: Thomas Henry, Charles Hunt, Jerry Urben
  • Patent number: 6982100
    Abstract: A method for increasing the yield and quality in the manufacture of cheese from a selected volume of milk in which the volume of milk has been fortified with additional dairy components that increase the solids and includes pre-acidification of the fortified milk prior to cheese making. The fortified milk is subjected to an acid or acid producing material that quickly lowers the pH either before or after pasteurization to a pH of approximately 6.6 to 5.70. The acidification is performed under turbulent conditions to maintain milk protein native integrity. The acidified fortified milk is then subjected to the conventional cheese making process. The cheese made using the present invention is particularly useful in the subsequent manufacture of process cheese.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Land O'Lakes, Inc.
    Inventors: Margaret A. Swearingen, Craig J. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 6955828
    Abstract: Methods for accelerated cheese ripening using a biological agent, in particular microorganisms, wherein the biological agent has been treated with a surface active agent, (e.g. a detergent or surfactant) and wherein the biological agent is not an attenuated bacterial starter culture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Rhodia Texel Limited
    Inventor: Mark Rodney Smith
  • Patent number: 6916496
    Abstract: Process for manufacturing cheeses and other dairy products, and the resulting products, in which lactobionic acid is added, or generated in situ, in combination with a dairy component in the course of the process. The lactobionic acid can be used as the sole acidulent for direct acidification of the cheese, or in conjunction with reduced amounts of lactic acid culture. When the lactobionic acid is generated in situ during cheese manufacture according to the invention, a lactose oxidase is used in one embodiment to convert lactose intrinsically present in the dairy liquid ingredient(s) into lactobionic acid. The organoleptic attributes of the cheeses made using lactobionic acid as an ingredient are satisfactory and fully suitable. The process can be applied to the production of a wide variety of cheeses, including, for example, cream cheeses, hard cheeses such as cheddar, UF cheeses, process cheeses, cheddar cheeses, and so forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Kraft Foods R&D, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramarathna Koka, David W. Mehnert, Rudolf J. Fritsch, Wolfram Steffan, Peter Habermeier, Allan G. W. Bradbury, Alan Wolfschoon-Pombo, Mehran Rose
  • Patent number: 6913774
    Abstract: The present invention describes processes that incorporate ionic gums into wheyless cream cheese to reinforce curd structure, thus increasing product firmness. The processes involve adding a relatively small (e.g., about 0.005 to about 0.1 percent) but effective amount of the ionic gum (e.g., xanthan, gellan, carrageenan, alginate gums, low methoxy pectin, or mixtures thereof) before a fermentation step, preferably prior to initial homogenization/heating steps, to provide ionic gum-dairy protein interaction without causing coacervation with protein. In certain preferred embodiments, xanthan gum is used due to its cold water solubility, consistent composition, availability, and low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Alice Shen Cha, Jimbay P. Loh, Ana Patricia Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 6902750
    Abstract: A method for eliminating the uncooked curd defect in process cheese products associated with fortification of milk during the natural cheese make process. This fortification results in a significant increase in the amount of calcium bound in the casein micelle. The fortified milk is subjected to an acid or acid producing material that quickly lowers the pH either before or after pasteurization to a pH of approximately 6.6 to 5.70. The acidification is performed under turbulent conditions to maintain milk protein native integrity. The acidification step results in a significant migration of calcium out of the casein micelle and into a soluble form that is carried away with the whey stream. The acidified fortified milk is then subjected to the conventional cheese making process. The resulting natural cheese can then be further processed into a process cheese product without the risk of uncooked curd particles in the finished product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Land O'Lakes, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason D. Eckert, Margaret A. Swearingen, Edward B. Aylward, Craig J. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 6893670
    Abstract: A method for accelerated cheese ripening using a primary starter culture and an attenuated bacterial starter culture, the attenuated bacterial starter culture is treated with surface active agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Danisco (UK Ltd)
    Inventors: Mark R. Smith, Paul D. Browning, Denise Pawlett
  • Patent number: 6884453
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventor: Robert L. Bradley
  • Patent number: 6875454
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Novozymes A/S
    Inventor: Per Munk Nielsen
  • Patent number: 6872411
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a probiotic cheese, such as Cheddar cheese, comprises adding a 0.0-5.5% inoculum of a strain of Lactobacillus paracasei, which is non-pathogenic, acid and bile tolerant and adherent to human epithelial cells, as a starter adjunct to cheese milk, said L. paracasei strain being capable of growing during the ripening phase to a level of 107 cfu/g or greater. The L. paracasei strains are found to grow and proliferate to high cell numbers (in excess of 108 cfu/g) in the cheese over eight months of ripening, even when added at a relatively low inoculum. The presence of the L. paracasei strains is found to have negligible effects on cheese composition, flavor and aroma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignees: Enterprise Ireland, Teagasc, The Agriculture and Food Development Authority
    Inventors: Reynolds Paul Ross, Gerald Francis Fitzgerald, John Kevin Collins, Gerald Christopher O'Sullivan, Catherine Gerardine Stanton
  • Patent number: 6861081
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for making reduced calorie cultured cheeses whereby the natural lipid content of milk is replaced with colloidal forms of synthetic or chemically structured lipids displaying low to no human digestibility. The colloidal dispersion of modified lipids contained within the milk base is initially stabilized by preferred combinations of polymeric and particulate hydrocolloidal materials such as structurally expanded cellulose. Such stabilization is important during formation of the curd to ensure homogeneous distribution and maintenance of the lipid dispersion throughout the coagulum yet allow effective concentration of the coagulum solids by means of ordinary water removal methods commonly used in the manufacture of conventional cultured cheeses. The coagulum is then processed by means similar to that employed for naturally fermented cheeses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: Michael K. Weibel
  • Patent number: 6861080
    Abstract: The present invention relates to superior dairy products which have firmness qualities and textural qualities not observed in conventional dairy products. The dairy products of this invention have average fat particle sizes of less than about 0.8 microns, preferably of about 0.1 to about 0.8 microns, and more preferably about 0.2 to about 0.6 microns. The dairy products which may be manufactured using this process are cream cheese, sour cream, and dairy products containing at least 4 percent fat. The present invention also provides a process for making a cream cheese product without the removal of whey and having average fat particle sizes of less than about 0.8 microns, preferably of about 0.1 to about 0.8 microns, and more preferably about 0.2 to about 0.6 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Clinton Kent, Jim Bay P. Loh, Hermann Eibel
  • Publication number: 20040258798
    Abstract: A system and method for making an enhanced cheese product includes a milk processing system for developing cheese curd, and a mixing means which mixes the cheese curd and the enhancing agent. By applying negative pressure to a mixture of cheese curd and enhancing agent, the enhancing agent can be drawn into the cheese curds. The enhancing agent may include whey protein to increase product. Likewise, probotics, fat substitute, enzymes and flavorings may be added to the cheese curds to produce cheese products with reduced spoilage, decreased fat, accelerated ripening or new flavors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: Ken Rhodes
  • Patent number: 6821763
    Abstract: Disclosed are a protein having a transglutaminase activity, which comprises a sequence ranging from serine residue at the second position to proline residue at the 331st position in an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID No. 1 wherein the N-terminal amino acid of the protein corresponds to serine residue at the second position of SEQ ID No. 1, a DNA encoding the protein, a transformant having the DNA, and a process for producing a protein having a transglutaminase activity, which comprises the steps of culturing the transformant in a medium. The protein can be produced in a large amount with the transformant using a host such as E. coli.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Keiichi Yokoyama, Nami Nakamura, Tetsuya Miwa, Katsuya Seguro
  • Patent number: 6780445
    Abstract: A system and method for making an enhanced cheese product includes a milk processing system for developing cheese curd, and a mixing means which mixes the cheese curd and the enhancing agent. By applying negative pressure to a mixture of cheese curd and enhancing agent, the enhancing agent can be drawn into the cheese curds. The enhancing agent may include whey protein to increase product. Likewise, probotics, fat substitute, enzymes and flavorings may be added to the cheese curds to produce cheese products with reduced spoilage, decreased fat, accelerated ripening or new flavors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Cacique, Inc.
    Inventor: Ken Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20040161492
    Abstract: A process for making a yogurt cream cheese product comprising steps of: providing a milkfat fluid having an initial butterfat content level; pasteurizing the milkfat fluid to yield a cream cheese precursor; providing a yogurt, and combining the yogurt with the cream cheese precursor to yield a combined precursor; and homogenizing and acidifying the combined precursor; yielding a yogurt cream cheese product. A yogurt cream cheese product comprising between about 8% by weight and about 35% by weight of total butterfat; the yogurt cream cheese product comprising between about 10% by weight and about 40% by weight of yogurt, having a viscosity between about 1,000,000 centipoises and about 3,000,000 centipoises at a temperature of about 74° F.; and yielding less than about 1% syneresis by weight after 15 hours at about 74° F. to about 75° F.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: Franklin Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Nordahl L. Brue, Jon R. Gutknecht, John B. Ovitt
  • Patent number: 6773740
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing cheese products, and process cheese bases for use in the production of process cheese. The method generally includes mixing one or more concentrated powders derived from milk with sodium chloride, milk fat, water, and, optionally, an edible acid and/or a preservative for a period of time sufficient to produce a well-mixed, homogeneous product, and cooling the resulting mixture for a time and at a temperature which is sufficient to allow the mixture to form a solid matrix. The solid matrix can be consumed, or can be used as a substitute for natural cheese and ground by a cheese grinding system during the production of process cheese. The present invention also provides cheese products and process cheese bases prepared according to this method, and to process cheeses produced with the process cheese bases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holding, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Hyde, Lisa M. Carruthers, John James McGeown, Gary William Trecker
  • Publication number: 20040146603
    Abstract: The present invention describes a process for making cheese, comprising: a) adding to milk a carbohydrase selected from the group consisting of &agr;-galactosidase, N-acetyl-galactosaminidase and neuraminidase, b) incubating so as to partially deglycosylate &kgr;-casein in the milk, and c) during or after step b) conditions causing clotting of the milk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Claus Dambmann, Peter Budtz, Per Munk Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20040146605
    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 celluloses 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Michael K. Weibel
  • Publication number: 20040146604
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing cheese with a low fat content from cows milk wherein milk or a fraction of milk is treated with a phospholipase, and the treated milk or milk fraction is used for producing cheese. The method results in a decreased oiling off of the cheese when heated, and/or in an improved cheese yield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicants: Novozymes A/S, Chr. Hansen A/S, Novozymes North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Sabry Madkor
  • Patent number: 6749873
    Abstract: Herein is disclosed a cheese yield enhancing method in a cheese manufacturing method including a process of separating a cheese curd from a whey after a milk coagulating treatment of a material milk by a milk coagulating enzyme, said cheese yield enhancing method comprising steps of: adding/mixing a protein decomposing enzyme treated material of a milk whey protein (a partial hydrolysate of the milk whey protein) to the material milk; and subjecting a resulting mixture to the milk coagulating treatment by the milk coagulating enzyme, or said cheese yield enhancing method comprising steps of: adding/mixing a partial hydrolysate of a milk whey protein to the material milk; allowing transglutaminase to act on a resulting mixture; and subjecting the mixture to the milk coagulating treatment by the milk coagulating enzyme, whereby a yield of a cheese curd from a material milk, and therefore a yield of cheese may be enhanced and a cheese superior in quality may be manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kumazawa, Jiro Sakamoto, Chiya Kuraishi, Noriki Nio, Shoji Sakaguchi
  • Publication number: 20040091576
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a cheese-like dairy product, characterized by adding at least 10 wt %, relative to the starting material milk, of water containing Paenibacillus sp. bacteria or water that has been treated with immobilized cells of Paenibacillus sp. Bacteria into starting material milk, followed by maintaining at a prescribed temperature, separating off the curd thus formed, and performing productization with or without further maturing; a cheese-like dairy product thus produced; and a water purifier packed with a support having Paenibacillus sp. bacteria immobilized thereon and a filter medium as a packing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Shuhei Miyashita
  • Publication number: 20040091577
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing an aqueous composition useful as a stabilizing and texturizing agent in dairy products, the composition obtainable by said process and a food composition comprising a dairy product base and said aqueous composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: Kraft Foods R&D, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Schwegle, Klaus Sanladerer
  • Publication number: 20040040448
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of separating components from milk, and the apparatus used therefor. The invention also relates to compositions prepared from the separated components. The present invention relates to nutritional milk compositions and products which are designed to include per serving size a specified percentage range of one or more components separated from milk. The compositions of the present invention can optionally include non-essential but nutritionally functional components. The complete nutritional milk compositions of the present invention can be provided as unflavored milks, flavored milks, ice creams and yogurts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: John M. Dunker, Michael J. McCloskey, Timothy J. Gomez
  • Publication number: 20040043111
    Abstract: A process for making cheese comprising the steps: starting with a mil,m composition that has a milk fat content of more than 0.3%, adding a gum preparation to the milk, adding a starter to the milk to form a cheese milk, coagulating the cheese milk, cutting the coagulum to separate curd and whey, draining whey from the curd, and shaping and cooling the curd. The difference over the prior art is the addition of gum to the milk before the starter is added.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Keith Johnston, Allan Main, Brian Bennett, David Hughes, Alastair Bruce
  • Publication number: 20040037920
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making cheese products having a living flora, characterised in that it comprises the following steps: a) providing a mixture comprising not less than 10% of at least a process cheese and not more than 90% of at least a natural cheese having a dry extract more than 45%; b) heat treatment at a temperature less than 90° C. and mechanical treatment under low shearing, to obtain limited destructuring of the protein structure of the resulting cheese mass; c) shaping the cheese obtained at the preceding step, optionally before or after cooling the cheese mass; and d) packaging the resulting product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Alain Choulet, Jean-Paul Gaulier
  • Patent number: 6689402
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for making a fat-free cream cheese-like fermentation product having similar textural and organoleptic properties similar to that of a higher fat containing cream cheese. In the process, a skim milk composition having a high solids content and a low fat content is cultured with a ropy culture until the pH reaches a value of about 5.2 to about 4.9. The cultured mixture is blended with at least one bulking agent and at least one emulsifier to form a blend, which is heated to a temperature of about 60° C. to about 65° C. After adding a vegetable gum, the heating is continued until a temperature of about 80° C. to about 90° C. is reached. The heated mixture is blended and homogenized to form the fat-free cream cheese-like fermentation product. The present composition and process does not require the addition of relatively costly cottage cheese solids or curds as required by conventional cream cheese processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: K. Rajinder Nauth, David Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20040022896
    Abstract: The present invention describes processes that incorporate ionic gums into wheyless cream cheese to reinforce curd structure, thus increasing product firmness. The processes involve adding a relatively small (e.g., about 0.005 to about 0.1 percent) but effective amount of the ionic gum (e.g., xanthan, gellan, carrageenan, alginate gums, low methoxy pectin, or mixtures thereof) before a fermentation step, preferably prior to initial homogenization/heating steps, to provide ionic gum-dairy protein interaction without causing coacervation with protein. In certain preferred embodiments, xanthan gum is used due to its cold water solubility, consistent composition, availability, and low cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Alice Shen Cha, Jimbay P. Loh, Ana Patricia Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 6669978
    Abstract: The present invention provides process cheeses containing casein and whey protein with a ratio of casein to whey protein of from about 50:50 to about 75:25. Typically, the process cheese further contains an emulsifier, milkfat, and may contain one or more other ingredients such as, but not limited to, whole whey, cheese, and lactic acid. The present invention provides methods for producing the process cheese of the current invention using a pre-cook or post-cook homogenization step, and/or a modified dairy protein source. The modified dairy protein source includes high viscosity whey protein, emulsified high fat whey protein powder, low calcium whey protein, and/or high solubility milk protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Isabelle Laye, Ted Riley Lindstrom, Leslie Lowry, Fu-I Mei, Matthew Zwolfer, Omar Diaz-Castillo, Jordan Dolande, Steven Havlik, Vladimir Rueda
  • Publication number: 20030215544
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: Novozymes A/S
    Inventor: Per Munk Nielsen
  • Patent number: 6649199
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing a fermented food product, which enables the maturation phase of said product to be shortened and its organoleptic to be improved. The process is characterized by the addition to the raw material of a cluster of cell extracts of its fermenting micro-organisms, which are either naturally present or added in live state. The proportion of each extract in the cluster is approximately equivalent to that of the corresponding micro-organism in the fermenting mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Biosaveurs
    Inventor: Marc Bigret