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Title: Growth of Lactobacillus paracasei ATCC334 in a cheese model system: A biochemical approach

Author
item BUDINICH, MATEO - University Of Wisconsin
item Perez Diaz, Ilenys
item CAI, HUI - University Of Wisconsin
item RANKIN, SCOTT - University Of Wisconsin
item BROADBENT, JEFF - University Of Utah
item STEELE, JAMES - University Of Wisconsin

Submitted to: Journal of Dairy Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/22/2011
Publication Date: 11/1/2011
Citation: Budinich, M.F., Perez Diaz, I.M., Cai, H., Rankin, S.A., Broadbent, J.R., Steele, J.L. 2011. Growth of Lactobacillus paracasei ATCC334 in a cheese model system: A biochemical approach. Journal of Dairy Science. 94(11):5263-5277.

Interpretive Summary: This manuscript describes the evaluation of growth of a bacterium naturally present in Cheddar cheese and the potential “foods” such bacterium consumes during ripening.

Technical Abstract: Growth of Lactobacillus paracasei ATCC 334, in a cheese-ripening model system based upon a medium prepared from ripening Cheddar cheese extract (CCE) was evaluated. Lactobacillus paracasei ATCC 334 grows in CCE made from cheese ripened for 2 (2mCCE), 6 (6mCCE), and 8 (8mCCE) mo, to final cell densities of 5.9 ×108, 1.2 × 108, and 2.1 × 107 cfu/mL, respectively. Biochemical analysis and mass balance equations were used to determine substrate consumption patterns and products formed in 2mCCE. The products formed included formate, acetate, and d-lactate. These data allowed us to identify the pathways likely used and to initiate metabolic flux analysis. The production of volatiles during growth of Lb. paracasei ATCC 334 in 8mCCE was monitored to evaluate the metabolic pathways utilized by Lb. paracasei during the later stages of ripening Cheddar cheese. The 2 volatiles detected at high levels were ethanol and acetate. The remaining detected volatiles are present in significantly lower amounts and likely result from amino acid, pyruvate, and acetyl-coenzyme A metabolism. Carbon balance of galactose, lactose, citrate, and phosphoserine/phosphoserine-containing peptides in terms of d-lactate, acetate, and formate are in agreement with the amounts of substrates observed in 2mCCE; however, this was not the case for 6mCCE and 8mCCE, suggesting that additional energy sources are utilized during growth of Lb. paracasei ATCC 334 in these CCE. This study provides valuable information on the biochemistry and physiology of Lb. paracasei ATCC 334 in ripening cheese.