Utilization of microalgae in probiotic white brined cheese

Abstract

In this study, the effects of Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis fortification on the microbiological, physicochemical and antioxidative properties of probiotic white cheese during storage were investigated. Thereby six groups of white cheese samples were manufactured as follows WC (Control), LAC (Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5), CWC (C. vulgaris), SWC (A. platensis), CLAC (C. vulgaris + Lb. acidophilus LA-5) and SLAC (A. platensis + Lb. acidophilus LA-5). The viability of Lb. acidophilus for SLAC sample remained almost constant during storage (>7 log cfu/g) while physicochemical properties of samples showed significant differences (P<0.01). The CLAC sample contained increased levels of protein, Ca, P, K, Mg and Zn while the highest Fe values were detected in the SLAC sample. Samples fortified with microalgae showed higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)radical scavenging activity, cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) and total phenolic content. Consequently, fortification with both microalgae improved the viability of probiotic, nutritional and antioxidative attributes of white cheese.