J. T. "STUBBY" PARKER CHAIR IN DAIRY FOODS
UPDATE 
 APRIL 2003

W. James Harper
Department of Food Science and Technology

RESEARCH:

Research Completed: 

PROJECT TITLE

SPONSOR

DESCRIPTION

Effect of high pressure of cheese ripening (Tom Shellhammer, Polly Courtney and Jim Harper)

 

DMI

Investigation of the effect of high pressure on the ripening of Cheddar cheese; effect of high pressure on the recovery and enzymatic activity of Lactobacillus helveticus, Propionibacter shermannii and combinations in slurry systems

Warmed over flavor in cooked beef (Herb Ockerman and Jim Harper)

Turkish Government

Determine the chemical basis of warmed over flavor in cooked beef

WARMED OVER FLAVOR IN COOKED BEEF:

GC/MS studies have shown that hexanal, which is the primary marker for warmed over flavor, is not the primary cause of the flavor.  Decendienal formation, with a 1000 fold lower threshold flavor is formed after 24-48 hours and coincides with the first detectable sensory evaluation of the warmed over flavor.  Hexanal reaches 90% of its maximum value in 3-6 hours of cold storage after initial cooking. (Zohair)

 

Projects in Progress: 

PROJECT TITLE

SPONSOR

DESCRIPTION

Cheddar cheese flavor (Jim Harper)

Parker Chair

 Initiation for study that is an outgrowth of the finding that there is a number of polyfunctional thiol compounds in aged Cheddar Cheese that relate to sensory evaluation of flavor. External funding being sought.

Electronic Nose Studies (Jim Harper)

Parker Chair

Development of a Negative Chemical Ionization (NCI) library to confirm that NCI can be used to identify the compounds by which the Electronic nose can differentiate aromas

Swiss Cheese Research (Jim Harper, Polly Courtney and Valente Alvarez)

Swiss Cheese Consortium, MAFMA & CIFT

Factors affecting the quality of Swiss cheese, include effects of starters, addition of solids, and role of salt and low temperature tolerant propionibacteria is slit formation, non-starter lactic acid bacterial role,

Effect of whey protein components on protection of prostate epithelial cells against heavy metals and oxidative stress (Josh Bomber and Jim Harper)

Parker Chair

Evaluation of the potential for whey components to increases the oxidative stability of normal prostate cells

Dairy farm milking parlor practices and environmental impart (Jim Harper)

Parker Chair

Evaluation of farm practices relating to milk parlor wastes and method for reducing environmental impact

Effect of High Pressure Processing of HTST pasteurized milk on shelf life and physical properties (Jim Harper and Valente Alvarez)

Parker Chair

Determine the feasibility of using high pressure processing to extend the shelf-life of HTST package milk without changes in physical properties and consumer acceptance

Factors affecting the flavor of UHT milk in PPT bottle (Valente Alvarez and Jim Harper

DMI

Effect of PPT packaging and UHT treatment of the flavor stability of milk of varying fat content

Feasibility of reducing the microflora in high protein, high solids WPC by means of PEF treatment (Jim Harper, Howard Zing and Ahmed Yousef)

CAPPS

New project, initiated April 1, 2003 to determine if PET treatment can reduce the microbial population of high protein (80%), high solids (20-23%) whey protein concentrate (WPC)

Characterization of heat resistant Streptococcus thermomphilus (Polly Courtney and Jim Harper

Parker Chair

Characterization of genetics, heat resistance and acid production of very heat resistance S. thermophilus isolated from WPC retentate

 ELECTRONIC NOSE APPLICATIONS: (Jim Harper) 

For the past two years, the work on the electronic nose has shifted to the use of headspace and the mass spectrometer.  This provides a means for obtaining an understanding of the chemistry behind the differentiation of aromas.  The mass spectrometer can be operated in electronic ionization (EI) or in chemical ionization (CI) modes.  EI provides extensive fragmentation and provides on an understanding of the function groups involved.  Chemical ionization is used primarily for conformation of molecular weights of compounds and results in a much lower level of fragmentation.  Study has been initiated to develop a mass spectroscopy library of compounds thought to differentiate the aroma of different cheeses.  No such library exists at the present time. 

 SWISS CHEESE RESEARCH [Researchers – Cheryl Wick, Josephine Kuo,  Julie Jenkins,  Maria Ruhlman, Nurdan Kocaoglu-Vurma and  Olga Anngraeni] 

Most of this research is under the direction of Polly Courtney:

  Development Of A Swiss cheese Make Procedure For Small Scale Manufacture  (Investigator – Cheryl Wick)

                    Work is in progress to adapt commercial cheese manufacturing procedures to small-scale production (5 lbs/vat).  This will provide a means of evaluating the effect of variables in manufactures, such as the addition of milk solids, that will be more meaningful that the normal procedure by Baby Swiss cheese.  A procedure has been developed, starting with a liter of milk that produces a 100 cheese that produces Swiss cheese flavor and eyes.

   

Comparison Of GC Analysis Of Acetic And Propionic Acid Contents With   Sensory Values Swiss (Investigator: Josephine Kuo)                    A lexicon of twenty-three descriptors has been developed in collaboration with Dr. Mary Anne Drake of NCSU to provide a uniform set of descriptors that will provide for a uniform lexicon for the sensory evaluation of Swiss cheese.  This included the deletion and additions of descriptors used in the Cheddar cheese lexicon.  Generally data obtained by GC analyses for fatty acids did not agree with the sensory scores for the acetic acid and propionic descriptors.  However, for the one cheese that had a free fatty acid note also hade the highest level of butyric acid and high levels of C-6 and C-8 fatty acids.

 

Determination of the role of non-starter lactic acid bacteria in Swiss cheese quality. (Investigator: Nurdan Kocaoglu-Vurma)

 

Non-starter lactic acid bacteria (NSLAB) are known to be important in the ripening of Cheddar cheese and may have either a positive of negative effect on the ripening process.   These organisms are primarily lactobacilli. Their role in Swiss cheese has not been established.  Investigation has shown that in mature Swiss cheese the lactobacillus used in the starter for Swiss cheese (Lactobacillus helveticus) disappears during the first 30 day of ripening and is replaced be from 3-12 different NSLAB.  The significance of these organisms to cheese quality is under investigation.

 

  Effect of milk solids addition on Swiss cheese quality.  (Investigator: Maria Ruhlman

 A scientific study on adding different levels of milk protein has been initiated.  Problems with contamination of slurries has caused a shift in the experimental plan to do screening experiments with the manufacture of pilot plant cheese with the addition of non fat dry milk and milk protein concentrates.  The cheese are being made using the same S. thermophilus and L. helveticus and different propionibacteria to determine if the solids addition will affect the cheese characteristics using different strains of propionibacter.

  Increasing Swiss cheese moisture using a polysaccharide-producing starter culture (Olga Anngraeni)

                Preliminary work with sterile cheese slurries has suggested a 1.0 increase in yield.  The work will now be directed to pilot plant trials.

 

EFFECT OF WHEY PROTEIN COMPONENTS ON THE GLUTATHIONE CONTENT OF PROSTATE NORMAL AND CANCER CELLS IN RELATION TO PROTECTION AGAINST STRESS.  [Investigator: Kyle Kent] 

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States.  Studies suggest that dietary whey proteins may reduce the risk for certain cancers by increasing cellular levels of the antioxidant glutathione.  Whey proteins are rich in cystine, the hypothesized rate-limiting amino acid for glutathione synthesis; therefore, supplementation with whey protein isolate may represent a means to increase glutathione synthesis within the prostate and protection against oxidative stress.

 

Cysteine is the rate-limiting amino acid for synthesis of the ubiquitous antioxidant glutathione (GSH). ovine whey proteins are

rich in cystine, the di-sulfide form of the amino acid cysteine. The objective of this study was to determine whether enzymatically

hydrolyzed whey protein isolate (WPI) could increase intracellular GSH concentrations and protect against oxidant- induced cell

death in a human prostate epithelial cell line (designated RWPE-1). Treatment of RWPE-1 cells with hydrolyzed WPI (500 mg/ml)

is  significantly increased intracellular GSH by 64%, compared with control cells receiving no hydrolyzed WPI (P<0.05). A similar

increase n GSH was observed with N-acetylcysteine (500 mm), a cysteine-donating compound known to elevate intracellular GSH.

In contrast, treatment with hydrolyzed sod um caseinate (500 mg/ml), a cystine-poor protein source, did not significantly elevate

intracellular GSH. Hydrolyzed WPI (500 mg/ml) significantly protected RWPE-1 cells from oxidant-induced cell death, compared

with controls receiving no WPI (P<0.05). The results of this study indicate that WPI can increase GSH synthesis and protect

against oxidant- induced cell death n human prostate cells..

 

Studies have been extended to the effect of sphingolipids on both normal and cancerous prostate cells.  Preliminary work with ceramides (metabolite of sphingolipids) cause death of cancerous, but not normal prostate cells.

 

 CHEDDAR CHEESE – TRACE POLYFUNCTIONAL THIOL COMPOUNDS: Researcher: Joe Kleinhenz]] 

The exact chemical nature of the flavor of Cheddar cheese remains poorly understood, even after more that 100 years of research. A new project has been initiated to try to determine if there are specific compounds that are responsible for the "Cheddar" flavor. The hypothesis is that there remain unidentified, very labile, compounds in Cheddar cheese that haven't been discovered previously that that these are the "missing links" in Cheddar cheese flavor. 

A method has been developed that permits the isolation of flavor compounds from aged Cheddar cheese that are present in parts per trillion, and that have flavor threshold values in the same range.  The method has been shown to detect only mercaptans and does not detect ppm concentrations of thioethers, thiazoles or aliphatic acids and aldehydes. 

                 Analysis of 6 sharp Cheddar cheese has shown the presence of from 20-40 polyfuctional thiol compounds in ppb concentrations with qualitative and quantitative differences that can be related back to the flavor characteristics of the cheese.  Fifteen compounds were tentatively identified including:  3-merpto- 2-methyl butanal (broth, cheese), 4-mercto-pentan-2-ol (back current, catty), 3-mercapto-2-butylpropanal (pungent).  The different thiol compounds have threshold levels in the ppt and widely different sensory descriptors.  Work is in progress to determine that statistical relationship between the type and concentrations of these trace thiol compounds to sensory descriptors of the cheeses.

DAIRY FARM MILKING PARLOR PRACTICES: (Investigator: Jennifer Diehl)

                The size of dairy herds in Ohio has increase significantly in recent years, so that the average herd size is 60 cows with >75 herds ranging in size from 300-2000 cows.  This has created environmental concerns and it has been shown that milk parlor waste water can contributed up to 20% of the total waste volume going to lagoons.  A survey has been made of 85 herds of over 300 cows to establish milking parlor practices.  Ten of these farms will be visited to obtain wastewater from the milk parlors and to characterize these for composition, pH and COD.  Attention will then be directed to means of reducing the impact of the milk parlor wasted to the environment.  Nana-filtration will be one approach to be considered for wastewater and COD reduction.

HIGH PRESSURE TREATMENT OF PASTEURIZE MILK: (Investigator: Emily Adams)

                The limitation of shelf life of pasteurized milk has been the outgrowth of psychotropic microorganisms that arise primarily for post pasteurization of milk.  The ability of high pressure processing (HPP) to extend the shelf life of packaged pasteurized milk is under investigation.  Results to date suggest that the shelf life of 2% milk can be extended up to 20 days longer that the control pasteurized milk with very minor changes in physical properties.  The application of HPP to chocolate milk has been less successful.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE FLAVOR OF UHT MILK IN PPT BOTTLES:

This is a new project to be initiated in July and will be a continuation of a CIFT project on UHT milk.  No investigator has been assigned to the project at this time.

USE OF PEF TO CONTROL THE MICROFLORA IN HIGH PROTEIN, HIGH SOLIDS WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE: (investigator: Dr. Josephine Kuo)

                A new project that was activated on April 1, 2003 to determine if PEF can be used as a means of reducing the microflora in the retentate of WPC without altering the functional properties.  Initial studies have been limited to characterizing the physical properties of reconstituted neutralize and un-neutralized 80% WPC at concentrations ranging from 17-23%.  It has been shown that the maximum field strength that can be used is 40, 37 and 32 KV/cm at 400 pulses per second and a pulse width of 2.5 microseconds. Work is just starting to determine the reduction that can be achieved against the primary organisms causing problems in production of the high protein WPC (S. thermophilus).

CHARACTERIZATION OF HEAT RESISTANT STEPTOCOCCUS THERMOMPHILUS: (Investigator: Rory Delainey)

Heat resistant Streptococcus thermophilus have been isolated from membrane whey protein concentrate retentate that was ulterfiltered at 50 deg. C.  These organisms may have value in dairy products, such as yogurt, and are being evaluated for genetic variance, heat resistance and acid production in milk.  Project was initiated April 1, 2003

Teaching: 

The Chair has cut back on teaching and now has responsibility only for FST 650 - Food Product Development.  This year he will be assisting Dr. Polly Courtney who will be teaching FST 401 – Introduction to Food Processing and Dr. Sheryl Barringer, who will be teaching FST 696 – Technical Problem Solving.

EXTENSION:

Major extension functions included the annual Food and Dairy Conference and support of various food factories in assisting in problem solving and extension related research. 

2003 PUBLICATIONS: 

Refereed Journals 2003

Kuo,C. Harper,W. J., 2003. Rennet gel properties of milk protein concentrates. Milchwissenschaft 58:181-184.

Kent,K. Harper,W. J., Bomser,J. A., 2003. Effect of whey protein isolate on intracellular glutathione on oxidant induced cell death in human prostate cells. Toxicology in Vitro. 17: 27-33.

Drake,M. Gerard,P. Kleinhenz,J. Harper,W. J., 2003. Application of an electronic nose to correlate with descriptive senssory analysis of Cheddar cheese. Lebbensmittel Wissenschaft und Technologies. 36:13-20.

DeCastro-Morell,M. Harper,W. J., 2003. Effect of retentate heat treatment and inlet dryer temperature on the characteristics of milk protein concentrates. Michwissenschaft 57:13-15.

Jin,Z. Harper,W. J., 2003. Effect of high pressure treatment (HPP) on microflora and ripening of Swiss cheese slurries. Milchwissenschaft. 58:134-137.

OTHER  - papers in Reference Manual for U.S. whey and lactose products, April 2003

Harper, W. J. 2003. Biological Properties of Whey Components. In Reference Manual for U.S. Whey and Lactose Products.  Ed. G. Miller. U.S. Dairy Export Council, Washington DC pp68-69.

 Gerdes, S.K, and Harper, W. J. 2003 Whey Proteins and Cardovascular Health. In Reference Manual for U.S. Whey and Lactose Products  Ed. G. Miller. U.S. Dairy Export Council, Washington DC pp68-69.

Function food web page:

A Web Page on Dairy Functional Foods is being updated once a year.  It can be viewed in the UPDATE section of the Parker Chair Web Page towards the end of the web page – under PRESENTATION.

    http://www.fst.ohio-state.edu/People/HARPER/Functional-foods/Functional-Foods.htm