Short communication: Physicochemical and antioxidant properties of Cheddar-type cheese fortified with Inula britannica extract

Cheddar-type cheese was fortified with the antioxidant Inula britannica flower extract (IBE). Cheddar-type cheeses manufactured with varying concentrations of IBE (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1% wt/vol) were analyzed during storage at 4°C, 0, 1, 2, and 3 wk after production. Higher IBE concentrations resulted in higher protein and ash contents, with a concomitant decrease in pH, total solid, and fat content relative to the unfortified control cheese. The total phenolic content also increased with IBE concentration, but decreased over longer storage periods. The antioxidant activities of the cheeses, determined as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical scavenging activity and ferric thiocyanate assay results, increased proportionally to the total phenolic content. The highest antioxidant effect was observed in the 1% IBE-fortified cheese, showing 79 and 86% antioxidant effects in the DPPH and ferric thiocyanate assays, respectively. At the 1-wk time point, the 5 cheese preparations underwent sensory evaluation for odor, taste, texture, color, and overall quality, determined using a descriptive analysis by a trained panel (n = 20). The addition of IBE resulted in some increases in extract odor and taste. Overall, IBE showed good potential as an antioxidant supplement for dairy products.