Evolution of the microbiological profile of vacuum-packed ricotta salata cheese during shelf-life


Submitted: 25 August 2015
Accepted: 9 October 2015
Published: 11 May 2016
Abstract Views: 2035
PDF: 1039
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Authors

  • Daniele Casti Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
  • Christian Scarano Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
  • Carlo Pala Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
  • Francesca Cossu Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
  • Sonia Lamon Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
  • Vincenzo Spanu Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
  • Michela Ibba Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
  • Anna Maria Mocci Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
  • Francesco Tedde Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
  • Gavino Nieddu Cooperativa Allevatori Ovini, Fenosu (OR), Italy.
  • Carlo Spanu Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
  • Enrico Pietro Luigi De Santis Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Ricotta salata cheese is a salted variety of ricotta traditionally made in Sardinia (Italy) from the whey remaining after the production of Pecorino Romano protected designation of origin or other sheep milk cheeses. Ricotta salata cheese is very critical for the possible growth of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms. Sporadic cases of listeriosis associated with ricotta salata cheese have been reported over recent years. The objective of the present study was to assess the evolution of spoilage and pathogen microorganism of vacuum-packed ricotta salata cheese during the entire product shelf-life. The durability study was conducted on 18 vacuum-packed ricotta salata cheese samples analysed at the beginning of the shelf-life and after 60 and 90 days of refrigerated storage. Pathogens as Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus were never detected. During shelf-life total bacterial counts ranged between 7.90±0.64 and 9.19±0.58 CFU g-1 on the rind and between 2.95±0.68 and 4.27±1.10 CFU g-1 in the inner paste, while Enterobacteriaceae ranged between 4.22±0.66 and 5.30±0.73 CFU g-1 on the rind and 3.13±1.80 and 2.80±0.88 CFU g-1 in the inner paste. By considering the technology used, the intrinsic properties and the almost total absence of competing microflora, ricotta salata cheese can support the growth of spoilage and pathogen microorganisms originating from the processing environment. The high level of total bacterial counts and Enterobacteriaceae observed both on the rind and in the inner paste suggests contamination of the product from the processing environment. Therefore, a strict implementation of hygiene during processing is essential in order to reduce the load of environmental contaminants that may grow during refrigerated storage.

1.
Casti D, Scarano C, Pala C, Cossu F, Lamon S, Spanu V, Ibba M, Mocci AM, Tedde F, Nieddu G, Spanu C, De Santis EPL. Evolution of the microbiological profile of vacuum-packed ricotta salata cheese during shelf-life. Ital J Food Safety [Internet]. 2016 May 11 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];5(2). Available from: https://www.pagepressjournals.org/ijfs/article/view/5501

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