New type of Domiati cheese of potential benefit to people with high blood cholesterol

Abstract

SummaryPart of the milk used for manufacturing Domiati cheese was replaced by buttermilk at rates of 0, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60%. The fat and SNF contents were standardized at 5 and 10% respectively. The hypocholesterolaemic effect of buttermilk when incorporated into cheese was tested with rats by including cheese manufactured with and without buttermilk mixed in their diet at a rate of 30% for a period of 60 d. When the diet containing Domiati cheese free from buttermilk (control cheese) was given to rats, there were highly significant increases in serum and liver cholesterol. However, when part of the milk used in manufacturing Domiati cheese was replaced by buttermilk the increases in serum and liver cholesterol concentrations were reduced. These reductions were proportional to the proportion of buttermilk incorporated in the milk used to manufacture the cheese. When 50% of the milk used for Domiati cheese was replaced by buttermilk the hypercholesterol-aemic effect of Domiati cheese was nullified and the serum and liver cholesterol concentrations were restored to their normal values. The effect of replacing 50% of the milk used in the manufacture of Domiati cheese by buttermilk on the quality of the cheese was tested periodically during the ripening period. The buttermilk improved the flavour of the cheese whilst only slightly affecting its ripening.