Utilisation of a Portable Electronic Nose, NeOse Pro, to Follow the Microbial Fermentation of a Yoghurt

Yoghurt is fermented milk which results from the exclusive action of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. However, a disruption of the bacterial growth can lead to significant industrial losses. Currents monitoring methods, based on the checking of the pH during the fermentation step are not always satisfactory. The NeOse Pro system, a portable electronic nose, is a mean to obtain immediately aromatic profiles. In this work, we applied this technology to the yoghurt ecosystem, a highly hydrated product. The profiles obtained allowed us to discriminate yoghurts before and after fermentation. In detail, the discrepancy between the two bacteria cultured alone was slight. It was also the case when we compared different initial bacterial ratios. However, two different mixes of bacteria led to clearly distinguishable profiles. A GC/MS analysis performed on products fermented 7 h allowed us to explain the detection of acetaldehyde by the stimulation of some captors of the apparatus. NeOse Pro is so convenient to study the fermentation of yogurt.

Use of <i>Lactococcus lactis</i>Subsp. <i>Lactis</i>Strains to Inhibit the Development of Pathogens

Bovine mastitis affects the udder health and thus causing significant economic losses. Probiotic products based on the use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to limit pathogens multiplication and pre-infection risks can be an interesting alternative to post infection allopathic treatment with antibiotics. Lactococcus lactis is one of the most important bacteria used in dairy technology. In this work, a total of 21 Lactococcus lactis subsp. Lactis strains, 20 from goat milk whey and one strain from cow milk were used to evaluate their antibacterial activity against four pathogenic germs responsible for mastitis: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus uberis and Streptococcus agalactiae. The nisin-producing cow milk strain was active against St. uberis and Str. Agalactiae using the well diffusion method. For the strains isolated from goat milk whey, no antimicrobial effect was observed against these pathogens. However, a different approach based on the growth of pathogenic bacteria interacting with the Lactococcus lactis strains in a minimum medium was used to study the barrier effect of LAB. The Lactococcus lactis strains S1 and S2 from goat milk whey depleted the growth of Sa. aureus, St. uberis and E. coli during 8 h and stopped the development of St. agalactiae.

A Rapid Electrophoresis Method on Agarose Gel to Characterise Dairy Protein Aggregates

Heat treatment of milk may cause whey proteins and caseins to form aggregates. These soluble and micellar aggregates and their other properties (size, composition, shape, etc.) can affect the techno-functionalities to the milk, conferring interesting or negative features depending on the application in dairy industries. In this study, we propose a new approach to characterise those protein aggregates. SDS-agarose electrophoresis is followed by the calculation of a retention factor (Rf) for each protein spot. Rf allows milk aggregates to be compared qualitatively under the same conditions. This method could be transposed to the dairy industry for a better knowledge of the milk subsequent to heat treatment.

Selective Lactococcus Enumeration in Raw Milk

The Lactococcus diversity in cow and goat raw milk was investigated. To do so, a protocol had to be established for the specific enumeration of lactococci. Eight agar media and one control medium were analysed to compare their proficiency in evaluating the Lactococcus population in raw milk: M17 Nal, Elliker, modified Elliker, PCA + milk, modified KCA, modified Chalmers, Turner, FSDA. The M17 medium was used as reference. Eighteen pure strains were tested on these media for their selectivity towards lactococci: six Lactococcus species or subspecies, three Leuconostoc, three Enterococcus, two Lactobacillus, one Streptococcus thermophilus, one Pseudomonas fluorescens, one Escherichia coli and one Staphylococcus aureus. All these bacteria were chosen for their regular presence in raw milk. The KCA medium proved to be the most selective towards lactococci, on condition that 1) we discriminated the colonies using the catalase test and 2) we subtracted the Enterococcus population counted on BEA. However, it was not possible to separate the Streptococcus from the Lactococcus colonies on KCA. The “Lactococcus-like” population including these two genera was estimated at a mean level of 3.18 log(cfu)/mL and 4.14 log(cfu)/mL in cow and goat raw milk respectively. This is consistent with the data already published.

Influence of the Backslopping Practice on the Microbial Diversity of the Lactococcus Population in a Model Cheesemaking

The objective of this work was to study the microbial diversity of natural whey starters (NWS), with a special focus on Lactococcus strains, during 10 successive days of backslopping. Each day, whey samples were enumerated for their Lactococcus, Enterococcus, Leuconostoc and Lactobacillus levels. The diversity and dynamics of the Lactococcus population in whey were investigated using phenotypic methods such as acidifying aptitude and enzymatic activities. Molecular approach using REP-PCR, ERIC-PCR, plamid profiles, phages and prophages research and PFGE was also applied. Lactococci were the main population in whey. Strains from raw milk were sub-dominant. Based on PFGE and phenotypic results lactococci in whey displayed a more heterogeneous phenotype and pulsotype which may reflect greater variations than previously observed within starter. No phages and prophages were spotted on. Plasmids did not seem to be exchanged from strain to strain. The backslopping practice seemed to allow the strains of the starter to rapidly acquire a specificity of their own. The changes observed presumed a slow adaptation of the strains to the “back- slopping environment”. The study of NWS diversity constitutes an important step for the comprehension of acidification defects that recurrently occur in cheesemaking technologies using the backslopping practice.