ROLE OF ENTEROCOCCI IN CHEDDAR CHEESE: GROWTH OF ENTEROCOCCI DURING MANUFACTURE AND CURING1

Abstract

Eight lots of Cheddar cheese were manufactured to determine the microbiological response of two strains each of Streptococcus faecalis and Streptococcus durans when used as supplemental starters in combination with a commercial lactic culture. Each lot consisted of a control vat of cheese manufactured with the lactic starter only, and an experimental vat of cheese containing the lactic starter and one of the enterococcus strains. Combinations of two curing temperatures ( 7.2 and 12.8 C) and two early cooling treatments (air vs. brine cooling) were used for cheeses from each vat to determine environmentally-induced variability. Growth patterns were monitored throughout the manufacture period up to the end of pressing, and during curing up to 6 months. Enterococcus populations showed little or no decrease when the cheeses were being pressed, whereas populations in control cheeses decreased over the same period. During curing, control cheeses cured at 7.2 C showed marked population decreases over the 6 months; those cured at 12.8 C showed a rapid decrease followed by an upsurge in population. Populations of S. faecalis in the experimental cheeses decreased only slightly, and S. durans showed almost no decrease. Generally, cheeses cured at 7.2 C showed the greatest numerical survival and there appeared to be no population differences caused by early cooling treatment.