Changes of free amino acid content of Teleme cheese made with different types of milk and culture

The evolution of concentration of free amino acids in Teleme cheese made from sheep, goat or cow milk, using a thermophilic, mesophilic or a mixture of a thermophilic, a mesophilic culture throughout ripening was studied. The total free amino acid (TFAA) content increased at all stages of ripening, regardless of the milk and culture used. In general, the TFAA content was higher in cheeses made from cow’s milk than that of the cheeses made from ewe’s milk; cheese from goat’s milk ranged over intermediate levels. Also, higher concentrations of TFAA were found in cheeses made with the thermophilic than with the mesophilic culture. Cheeses made with the mixture of thermophilic–mesophilic culture ranged over intermediate levels. The results of this study have shown that Leu, Glu, Phe, Val and Lys were the major FAA of Teleme cheese at all stages of ripening, regardless of the type of milk and culture used.