Relationship between the dynamics of volatile aroma compounds and microbial succession during the ripening of raw ewe milk-derived Idiazabal cheese

Cheese microbiota contributes to various biochemical processes that lead to the formation of volatile compounds and the development of flavour during ripening. Nonetheless, the role of these microorganisms in volatile aroma compounds production is little understood. This work reports for the first time the dynamics and odour impact of volatile compounds, and their relationship to microbial shifts during the ripening of a raw ewe milk-derived cheese (Idiazabal). By means of SPME-GC-MS, 81 volatile compounds were identified, among which acids predominated, followed by esters, ketones and alcohols. The ripening time influenced the abundance of most volatile compounds, thus the moments of greatest abundance were determined (such as 30–60 days for acids). Through Odour Impact Ratio (OIR) values, esters and acids were reported as the predominant odour-active chemical families, while individually, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl 3-methyl butanoate, ethyl butanoate, butanoic acid or 3-methyl butanal were notable odorants, which would provide fruity, rancid, cheesy or malt odour notes. Using a bidirectional orthogonal partial least squares (O2PLS) approach with Spearman's correlations, 12 bacterial genera were reported as key bacteria for the volatile and aromatic composition of Idiazabal cheese, namely Psychrobacter, Enterococcus, Brevibacterium, Streptococcus, Leuconostoc, Chromohalobacter, Chryseobacterium, Carnobacterium, Lactococcus, Obesumbacterium, Stenotrophomonas and Flavobacterium. Non-starter lactic acid bacteria (NSLAB) were highly related to the formation of certain acids, esters and alcohols, such as 3-hexenoic acid, ethyl butanoate or 1-butanol. On the other hand, the starter LAB (SLAB) was related to particular ketones production, specifically 3-hydroxy-2-butanone; and environmental and/or non-desirable bacteria to certain ketones, hydrocarbons and sulphur compounds formation, such as 2-propanone, t-3-octene and dimethyl sulphone. Additionally, the SLAB Lactococcus and Psychrobacter, Brevibacterium and Chromohalobacter were described as having a negative effect on aroma development caused by NSLAB and vice versa. These results provide novel knowledge to help understand the aroma formation in a raw ewe milk-derived cheese.