title: Volatile compounds and sensory properties of Montasio cheese made from the milk of Simmental cows grazing on alpine pastures.
abstract: The aim of this study was to analyze the volatile compounds, physicochemical characteristics, and sensory properties of Montasio, a semicooked pressed cheese, produced from the milk of the dual-purpose Italian Simmental cows grazing on alpine pastures. A total of 72 cows grazing on 2 pastures, which differed in botanical composition (nutrient-rich pasture vs. nutrient-poor pasture), received 2 different levels of supplementation (3.0 vs 1.5 kg/head per day). The experimental cheeses were produced from whole, raw milk and ripened for 60 d. Sixty-one volatile compounds, including alcohols (11), aldehydes (6), ketones (10), lactones (2), esters (6), hydrocarbons (3), carboxylic acids (6), phenolic compounds (4), monoterpenes (7), sesquiterpenes (1), sulfur compounds (4), and amines (1), were detected. The main families in terms of relative weight appeared to be carboxylic acids, esters, and alcohols. A panel of trained assessors described the experimental cheeses as having an intense color; small and evenly distributed eyes; an intense odor and flavor of milk-sour, milk, and cow; and a tender and creamy texture. The pasture type affected the volatile fraction, particularly ketones, phenolic compounds, and terpenes, which are overall higher in nutrient-poor pastures. A slight effect on the sensory analyses, in particular the effect of the cow attribute on odor and flavor, was perceived by the panelists. The cheeses produced on nutrient-rich pasture had higher b* (yellowness) index. These results were consistent with the color evaluation of the sensory panel. In addition, the pasture affected some textural attributes (adhesivity, creaminess, and granules) as perceived by the panelists. Concentrate supplementation, which is required to meet the feeding requirements of grazing cows, had no clear effect on either the volatile compounds or the sensory properties of the cheeses. Thus, at least within levels of integration adopted, it is expected not to alter the organoleptic characteristics of this product.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bovolenta
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy. Electronic address: alberto.romanzin@uniud.it.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Romanzin
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Corazzin
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spanghero
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Quality and Nutrition, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach (FEM), Via E. Mach, 1, 38010 San Michele all'Adige, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aprea
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Quality and Nutrition, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach (FEM), Via E. Mach, 1, 38010 San Michele all'Adige, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gasperi
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of Udine, Via delle Scienze 206, 33100 Udine, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Piasentier
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D002611:Cheese / Q000032:analysis*; D004952:Esters / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry*; D009812:Odorants / Q000032:analysis; D012677:Sensation; D013649:Taste; D013729:Terpenes / Q000032:analysis; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004952:Esters; D013729:Terpenes; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds
keywords: Italian Simmental cow; Montasio cheese; mountain pasture; sensory property; volatile compound