2023, Baygut, Hatice, Cais-Sokolińska, Dorota, Bielska, Paulina, Teichert, Joanna Elżbieta

In this study, the effects of the fermentation kinetics, determination of the number of lactic acid bacteria, texture, water holding capacity, and color of fermented soy beverages with acai powder (3 and 6% w/v) were investigated. The addition of acai powder significantly influenced the fermentation kinetics based on changes in pH, accelerating fermentation in the initial period. The results showed that the acai additive did not affect the enumeration of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis. The presence of acai inhibited the proliferation of Streptococcus thermophilus compared to the soy beverage without acai powder added. However, the higher the acai additive, the more Streptococcus thermophilus bacteria were detected: 4.39 CFU/g for 6% acai powder sample and 3.40 CFU/g for 3% acai powder sample. The addition of acai to the soy beverage reduced its firmness, consistency, cohesiveness, and viscosity index after fermentation. A slight difference was observed in the lightness and whiteness of fermented soy beverages with 3% and 6% acai powder.

2024, Yiğit Ziolkowski, Aslı, Bielska, Paulina, Cais-Sokolińska, Dorota, Samur, Gülhan

This research unveiled new insights on the impact of incorporating whey proteins into kefir produced using three different methods. This aims to improve its quality and health benefits, primarily as a result of optimal proliferation of probiotic bacteria. In the initial part of the experiment, samples were prepared using three different methods (methods 1, 2, and 3) to examine the impact of introducing whey protein on bacterial count, the content of L(+)-lactic acid, lactase activity, and the lactic acid and ethanol levels. The methods differed primarily in the sequence of the inoculation milk with probiotic bacteria stage in the production cycle, as well as incubation time and temperature. No significant differences were found in the number of yeasts and bacteria between samples with and without whey proteins. However, it was revealed that the 5% addition of whey proteins enhanced the number of probiotic bacteria in kefir produced with method 2 (from 4.86 to 5.52 log cfu/mL) and method 3 (from 3.68 to 4.01 log cfu/mL). The second part of the research investigated the impact of whey proteins on firmness, consistency, cohesiveness, viscosity, color, and water activity of kefir. This part focused on testing samples with lower whey protein contents (1 and 3%, w/v). We found that the addition of 1% and 3% whey proteins resulted in decreased firmness, consistency, cohesiveness, and viscosity compared to the control kefir. On the other hand, the addition of 5% whey proteins resulted in increased firmness and consistency compared to the addition of 1% and 3% whey proteins. The addition of whey protein decreased the white index WI of the kefir samples. Overall, our results revealed that incorporating whey protein concentrate (WPC) in the production of probiotic kefir can enhance its health benefits while maintaining its rheological properties and overall quality.

2023, Biegalski, Jakub, Cais-Sokolińska, Dorota

The presented study analyzed the possibility of pasta filata cheese production using sheep’s milk powder in different forms and substitution amounts with fresh cow’s milk. For the production of the pasta filata cheeses that were analyzed in the research, sheep’s milk powder and reconstituted sheep’s milk were used for partial substitution with fresh cow’s milk in the amount of approx. 20, 30 and 40 percent (v/v). The obtained results showed that the more sheep’s milk in the form of powder in the mixture, the lower the cheese’s moisture content. The fat and protein content in the whey after the production of cheeses from mixtures was lower than after the production of cheeses from reconstituted sheep’s milk only. Cheeses produced entirely from reconstituted sheep’s milk displayed the highest fat loss. The greatest cheese yield was observed for cheeses from mixtures with sheep’s milk powder and entirely from reconstituted sheep’s milk. Pasta filata cheeses made from a mixture of cow’s milk and sheep’s milk powder that was not reconstituted were much less acceptable to consumers than reconstituted milk powder cheeses, especially those with 40% and 30% added powder. Sensory profile analysis showed that the addition of sheep’s milk to the mixture, regardless of the form, affected the appearance, consistency, and flavor of the produced pasta filata cheeses. Mixing cow’s milk with sheep’s milk powder created the possibility of modeling the final cheese quality and yield.

2023, Bielska, Paulina, Skotarczak, Ewa Alicja, Cais-Sokolińska, Dorota, Teichert, Joanna

2024, Biegalski, Jakub, Cais-Sokolińska, Dorota

This study analyses the possibility of changing the composition of the covering liquid in which mozzarella cheese is stored. The characterisation of mozzarella cheese consumed fresh and during later culinary use as a pizza topping was carried out. Mozzarella cheese from cow’s milk and reconstituted sheep’s milk were used for this study. The cheese was stored in whey-based covering liquid to which single or double amounts of lactose and/or citric acid (w/w) were added. The results obtained during laboratory analysis showed that the addition of lactose and/or citric acid to the covering liquid significantly impacted the mass of the cheese and the changes that can occur during later culinary use. The observed changes in the cheese during storage in the covering liquid were confirmed by the characteristics of the liquid itself. The smallest mass changes were related to cheeses stored in a covering liquid with double the amount of lactose and a single amount of citric acid. This cheese also displayed positive changes in all assessed descriptors (texture, melt, and colour). The amount of leachate from the cheese was small and occurred relatively late after unpacking and quartering. Based on the results of the study, changes made to the composition of the covering liquids can positively affect the characteristics of mozzarella cheese. Additionally, this data allows for the creation of specialised mozzarella cheeses that can pique the consumer’s interest.

2023, Kaczyński, Łukasz K., Cais-Sokolińska, Dorota, Bielska, Paulina, Teichert, Joanna Elżbieta, Biegalski, Jakub, Yiğit, Aslı, Chudy, Sylwia

AbstractIn this study, the sensory and mechanical aspects of the texture of goat’s milk salad cheese were correlated with the emotional profiles of consumers. Using descriptive sensory analysis and instrumental assessment, the texture profile of goat’s milk salad cheese was compared to cow’s milk salad cheese and Feta cheese. Texture measurements confirmed that goat’s cheese compared to cow’s cheese had more softness and less hardness, and Feta cheese had the highest whiteness index compared to the other cheeses. Goat’s milk salad cheese was much less acceptable to consumers compared to cow’s milk cheese and Feta cheese. Consumers also indicated that the hardness of goat’s cheese was lower than that of cow’s cheese and Feta cheese. A reduction in “stickiness” in comparison with cow’s cheese was also reported; however, it was much higher than that for Feta cheese. The “fracturability” and “graininess” of goat’s cheese was similar to cow’s cheese. Emotional profile analysis showed that goat’s cheese evokes mainly negative emotions. Consumers indicated only one positive emotion in the case of this cheese, which was “healthy”. The most frequently mentioned emotions after the consumption of goat’s cheese were “upset”, “disgusted” and “worried”. Many consumers also indicated “disappointed” and “angry”, which did not occur after the consumption of cow’s cheese. This research shows how important it is to combine several analyses and techniques when evaluating dairy products, including salad cheeses. It is also important that consumer research is enriched by emotional profiling. Graphical abstract

2025, Gawałek, Jolanta, Cais-Sokolińska, Dorota, Teichert, Joanna Elżbieta

The microencapsulation via freeze drying of flaxseed oil in cow and mare milk was analyzed. The physicochemical and nutritional properties of the four obtained freeze-dried powder products were comparatively analyzed: microencapsulated and fortified with flaxseed oil cow milk (CMFO) and mare milk (MMFO), as well as pure cow milk (CM) and pure mare milk (MM). The moisture content, water activity, particle size distribution (PSD), loose and tapped bulk densities, flowability, color, and fatty acid profiles of the freeze-dried powders as well as the PSD of reconstituted emulsion droplets were investigated. For both types of milk, the fortified products achieved lower moisture content and water activity, higher loose and tapped bulk densities, better flowability, and lower particle sizes for the reconstituted emulsion droplets. The PSDs of the powders and reconstituted emulsion droplets showed significantly lower levels for the mare milk products than the cow milk products. The atherogenic index (AI) and thrombogenic index (TI) of cow milk products were three and six times higher than those for mare milk products, respectively. In both types of milk, fortified products did not show differences in their AI and TI values, except for the TI for cow milk (where CMFO < CM). The hypercholesterolemia fatty acid index (HcFA), hypocholesterolemic acids (DFAs), hypercholesterolemic acids content (OFA), and n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio showed greater health benefits from mare milk products. Fortification with flaxseed oil showed increased health-promoting properties in the case of the DFA and OFA parameters (for mare milk) and n-6/n-3 ratio (for cow milk).

2023, Yiğit, Aslı, Bielska, Paulina, Cais-Sokolińska, Dorota, Samur, Gülhan

2023, Bielska, Paulina, Cais-Sokolińska, Dorota

Buttermilk and whey, despite their documented health and technological potential, are still not sufficiently utilized for the development of new products. In this research, the texture, color, gloss, cheese yield, and peptonization of fresh white cheeses made from buttermilk with the addition of whey proteins after heat treatment were analyzed. Additionally, the influence of the polymerization process on cheese yield and composition was examined. Four fresh white cheese samples were prepared: without a whey protein concentrate (FWC); with a whey protein concentrate (FWC/WPC); with single-heated polymerized whey proteins (FWC/SPWP); and with double-heated polymerized whey proteins (FWC/DPWP). The introduction of whey proteins in buttermilk cheese production increased the cheese yield by over 2-fold. There were no differences in color and gloss between the FWC/SPWP and FWC/DPWP samples. The cheese became glassy and transparent during melting. The content of uncrushed curd that remained white ranged from 27% in FWC/DPWP to 74% in FWC/SPWP.

2024, Cais-Sokolińska, Dorota, Bielska, Paulina, Rudzińska, Magdalena, Grygier, Anna

2022, Bielska, Paulina, Cais-Sokolińska, Dorota, Dwiecki, Krzysztof

In this research effects of heat treatment duration on the electrical properties (zeta potential and conductivity), texture and color of polymerized whey protein (PWP) were analyzed. Whey protein solutions were heated for 30 min to obtain single-heated polymerized whey protein (SPWP). After cooling to room temperature, the process was repeated to obtain double-heated polymerized whey protein (DPWP). The largest agglomeration was demonstrated after 10 min of single-heating (zeta potential recorded as −13.3 mV). Single-heating decreased conductivity by 68% and the next heating cycle by 54%. As the heating time increased, there was a significant increase in the firmness of the heated solutions. Zeta potential of the polymerized whey protein correlated with firmness, consistency, and index of viscosity, the latter of which was higher when the zeta potential (r = 0.544) and particle size (r = 0.567) increased. However, there was no correlation between zeta potential and color. This research has implications for future use of PWP in the dairy industry to improve the syneretic, textural, and sensory properties of dairy products.

2023, Cais-Sokolińska, Dorota, Teichert, Joanna, Gawałek, Jolanta

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the freeze-drying process on the preservation of mare’s milk. This was achieved through the characterization of the functional properties of reconstituted freeze-dried mare’s milk. The chemical composition, bulk density, foam capacity, and ability to form emulsions of the atherogenic, thrombogenic, and hypercholesterolemic fatty acid index were investigated. The freeze-drying process did not change the proportion of the milk components in the dry matter. The moisture content of the freeze-dried mare’s milk was 10.3 g/kg and the bulk was below 0.1 g/mL. The foaming capacity was 111.3%; hence, the foaming capacity of the milk was very poor. The oil binding capacity was 2.19 g/g of protein. The freeze-drying process improves the binding degree and retention of oil by milk proteins, but produced foam was unstable, short-lived, and lacked the ability to retain air fractions. The atherogenic index and thrombogenic index values calculated for reconstituted milk were 1.02 and 0.53, respectively. The hypercholesterolemia fatty acid index was 25.01.

2025, Kowalczewski, Przemysław, Smarzyński, Krzysztof, Biegalski, Jakub, Muzolf-Panek, Małgorzata, Cais-Sokolińska, Dorota, Ruszkowska, Millena, Lewandowicz, Jacek, Miedzianka, Joanna, Wróbel, Martyna Maria, Kačániová, Miroslava, Baranowska, Hanna Maria

The growing interest in plant-based diets is driving the search for new products, including alternatives to dairy cheese. The aim of this research was to develop a recipe and technology for the production of a vegan cheese, then to characterize the physical, mechanical as well as molecular properties of the obtained products. The use of protein isolated from potato juice seems to be appropriate due to the nutritional value of the formed product and to the environmental benefits, that is, the use of waste potato juice to obtain a valuable raw material. It was found that as a result of the interaction of protein with carbohydrates and fats, the hardness and viscosity of the obtained products increase. Moreover, it was shown that one of the tested cheese analogues, which contains 5% of potato juice protein, 12% of oil and 25% of modified potato starch, is the optimal analyzed variant. It has attractive culinary properties, such as meltability; therefore, it can be used in production of hot dishes, for example, as a plant-based alternative to dairy cheese in pizza.