| Summary: | In the present study, a novel potentially probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei strain, previously isolated from dairy products, was evaluated as a starter culture of Feta-type cheese production. Targeting industrial applications, the starter culture was applied as a ready-to-use freeze-dried culture that was either free or immobilized. The immobilized biocatalyst composed of Lactobacillus paracasei K5 cells absorbed within delignified wheat bran prebiotic carrier. All produced cheeses were compared with cheese manufactured by renin enzyme. Several parameters that affect acceptability, quality and shelf-life of Feta-type cheese were investigated, including microbial populations, physicochemical characteristics and cheese volatiles through 90 days of ripening and storage. Survival of L. paracasei K5 remained in high levels (≥6.0 log cfu/g) after the 90th day of cheese production, as recorded by combining microbiological enumeration and strain-specific multiplex PCR analysis. The use of the freeze-dried novel starter culture (free or immobilized) enhanced the aromatic profile of Feta-type cheeses. Finally, the use of the potentially synbiotic immobilized biocatalyst further improved aromatic characteristics of produced cheese and decrease of possible spoilage or pathogenic microorganisms. These findings indicate the potential industrial use of freeze-dried L. paracasei K5 as starter culture for the production of good-quality functional Feta-type cheese.
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