Merging the spring onion extract into soft cheese as a rich natural phenolic ingredient to improve its antioxidant, functional, and sensory properties

Abstract

AbstractThe dairy industry has added a wide range of useful ingredients to its dairy products in response to consumers’ shifting lifestyles and desire for healthier diets. Despite the extensive usage of preservatives and antioxidants, the dairy industry is coming to understand the demand for natural food items free of synthetic additives. The current study aim to determine the impact of spring onion (Allium fistulosum) extract on the antioxidant, functional, and sensory aspects of ultrafiltration cheese (UF-soft cheese).Spring onion extracts are incorporated into UF-soft cheese at levels of (0.1, 0.3, and 0.5%). HPLC was used to determine the total phenolic compounds and water-soluble vitamin content of spring onion extract samples, using an Agilent 1260 series HPLC. To separate phenolic chemicals, the Eclipse C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm ID x 5 m) was employed. Furthermore, chemicals, colors, acetaldehyde and diacetyl components, total phenol, antioxidant content, and sensory qualities were evaluated during one month of cold storage. The chlorogenic (1021.22 µg/g) and gallic acid (915.83 µg/g) levels were found to have the greatest phenolic components in spring onion ethanol extract. Moreover, the extract is very high in some vitamins, particularly vitamin C (771.15 g/g) and vitamin B6 (254.85 g/g). The chemical properties, total phenol content, antioxidant activity, and sensory scores of cheese were improved by the incorporation of spring onion extract compared to control cheese. During storage, the taste and flavor of all cheese treatments were enhanced, with T2 having the best taste and flavor, and the total sensory score is listed in descending order of acceptability for cheese: T2 > T3 > T1 > Control. Therefore, the addition of spring onion extract as a rich source of natural antioxidant agents can provide nutritional value and a unique appealing flavor profile to the cheese, making it more healthy and enjoyable for consumers.