effect of molds contamination on the chemical composition of ras cheese

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the effect of mold contamination on the chemical composition of cheese. The Ras cheese was inoculated with the toxigenic strains of A. flavus and A.parasiticus as well as the non-toxigenic strain of P.chrysogenium. The changes in the gross composition and ripening indices of these contaminated cheese were compared with those of a control sample free of contamination. The fat composition of the control sample increased more than those of the contaminated ones. In addition, the amino acid introgen was found to be higher in the inoculated blocks compared to the control. However these contaminated cheese had acceptable organoleptic properties and were difficult to detect difference in appearance from the control sample. This increases their health hazards as the cheese containing A. flavus and A. flavus and A. parasiticus may have enough toxins to render them a public health hazard