Effect of Spice Powder on Physicochemical Characteristics, Functional Properties and Microbiological Quality in Soft Cheese

Abstract

Background: The development of soft cheese as a functional food product includes the use of spices rich in antioxidants, such as cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) and turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). This study was focused to investigate the effect of the addition of cinnamon, lemongrass and turmeric powder either singly or in combination, on the physicochemical characteristics, functional properties and microbiological quality of soft cheese. Methods: Soft cheese samples were added with cinnamon, lemongrass and turmeric powder with a maximum percentage of 3%, which consists of eight treatments either singly or in combination, then analyzed for pH, total titratable acids (TTA), total solids, color, texture profile, antioxidant activity, total phenolic content (TPC), fatty acid using the gas chromatography (GC) method, total bacteria and total yeast/molds. Result: The pH of soft cheese ranges from 5.33±0.45 to 5.90±0.06, TTA 1.29±0.59 to 1.90±0.07%, total solids 42.68±8.06 to 60.21±1.61%, brightness color (L*) 64.10±2.7 to 84.50±2.88, redness (a*) 3.60±0.20 to 9.60±0.43, yellowness (b*) 8.90±5.75 to 20.20±4.78 and total bacteria 4.881±0.02 to 6.835±0.01 log cfu/g. The texture profile (hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, adhesiveness, gumminess and chewiness) increased significantly. Total fatty acids range from 30.24 to 44.82, with 45% unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) and 55% saturated fatty acids (SFAs). The combination of cinnamon and turmeric powder produced the highest antioxidant activity of 79.11%. The combination of lemongrass and turmeric powder produced the highest palmitic acid (C16:0) of 23.69, TPC of 50.91 mg GAE/g and total yeast/molds of 4.795 ±0.03 log cfu/g.