Indigenous Lactococcus lactis with Probiotic Properties: Evaluation of Wet, Thermally- and Freeze-Dried Raisins as Supports for Cell Immobilization, Viability and Aromatic Profile in Fresh Curd Cheese

Indigenous Lactococcus lactis enriched raisins were incorporated in fresh curd cheese in wet, thermally dried, and freeze-dried form to produce a novel probiotic dairy product. Symbiotic cheese represents a rising trend in the global market. The viability of L. lactis cells was assessed in the cheeses during storage at 4 °C for 14 days and the effect of the added enriched raisins on physicochemical parameters, microbiological characteristics, and sugar content, aromatic profile, and sensory acceptance of cheeses were evaluated. Immobilized L. lactis cells maintained viability at necessary levels (>6 log cfu/g) during storage and significantly increased the acceptability of cheese. The addition of raisins enhanced the volatile profile of cheeses with 2-furanmethanol, 1-octanol, 3-methylbutanal, 2-methylbutanal, 2-furancarboxaldehyde, 1-(2-furanyl)-ethanone, 5-methyl-2-furancarboxaldehyde. The obtained results are encouraging for the production of novel fresh cheeses with improved sensorial and nutritional characteristics on industrial and/or small industrial scale.