The application of near infrared spectroscopy technology and a remote reflectance fibre-optic probe for the determination of peptides in cheeses (cow’s, ewe’s and goat’s) with different ripening times

The use of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology employing a remote reflectance fibre-optic probe (with a 5 cm × 5 cm quartz window) for the analysis of the hydrophilic (HI) and hydrophobic (HO) peptides and the ratio HO/HI was assayed. To do so, cheeses with known and varying percentages of cow’s, ewe’s and goat’s milk were elaborated (112 samples). Ripening controls were performed over 6 months, and the chemical data obtained by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography used as reference. The regression method employed was modified partial least squares (MPLS). The multiple correlation coefficients (RSQ) and prediction corrected standard errors (SEP (C)) obtained 0.879 and 1.83% for hydrophilic (HI) and 0.879 and 1.83% for hydrophobic (HO) peptides, respectively, and 0.890 and 0.03% for the ratio HO/HI. The method allows immediate control by direct application of the fibre-optic probe to the cheese without prior sample treatment or destruction.