Abstract
Metabolism of sulfur in bacteria associated with cheese has long been a topic of interest. Volatile sulfur compounds, specifically methanethiol, are correlated to desirable flavor in Cheddar cheese, but their definitive role remains elusive. Only recently have enzymes been found that produce this compound in bacteria associated with cheese making. Cystathionine β- and γ-lyase are found in lactic acid bacteria and are capable of producing methanethiol from methionine. Their primary function is in the metabolism of cysteine. Methionine γ-lyase produces methane thiol from methionine at a higher efficiency than the cystathionine enzymes. This enzyme is found in brevibacteria, bacilli, and pseudomonads. Addition of brevibacteria containing this enzyme improves Cheddar cheese flavor. Despite recent progress in sulfur metabolism more information is needed before cheese flavor associated with sulfur can be predicted or controlled.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 247-261 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, International Journal of General and Molecular Microbiology |
| Volume | 76 |
| Issue number | 1-4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1999 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
Cite this
Sulfur metabolism in bacteria associated with cheese. / Weimer, Bart C; Seefeldt, Kimberly; Dias, Benjamin.
In: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, International Journal of General and Molecular Microbiology, Vol. 76, No. 1-4, 1999, p. 247-261.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Sulfur metabolism in bacteria associated with cheese
AU - Weimer, Bart C
AU - Seefeldt, Kimberly
AU - Dias, Benjamin
PY - 1999
Y1 - 1999
N2 - Metabolism of sulfur in bacteria associated with cheese has long been a topic of interest. Volatile sulfur compounds, specifically methanethiol, are correlated to desirable flavor in Cheddar cheese, but their definitive role remains elusive. Only recently have enzymes been found that produce this compound in bacteria associated with cheese making. Cystathionine β- and γ-lyase are found in lactic acid bacteria and are capable of producing methanethiol from methionine. Their primary function is in the metabolism of cysteine. Methionine γ-lyase produces methane thiol from methionine at a higher efficiency than the cystathionine enzymes. This enzyme is found in brevibacteria, bacilli, and pseudomonads. Addition of brevibacteria containing this enzyme improves Cheddar cheese flavor. Despite recent progress in sulfur metabolism more information is needed before cheese flavor associated with sulfur can be predicted or controlled.
AB - Metabolism of sulfur in bacteria associated with cheese has long been a topic of interest. Volatile sulfur compounds, specifically methanethiol, are correlated to desirable flavor in Cheddar cheese, but their definitive role remains elusive. Only recently have enzymes been found that produce this compound in bacteria associated with cheese making. Cystathionine β- and γ-lyase are found in lactic acid bacteria and are capable of producing methanethiol from methionine. Their primary function is in the metabolism of cysteine. Methionine γ-lyase produces methane thiol from methionine at a higher efficiency than the cystathionine enzymes. This enzyme is found in brevibacteria, bacilli, and pseudomonads. Addition of brevibacteria containing this enzyme improves Cheddar cheese flavor. Despite recent progress in sulfur metabolism more information is needed before cheese flavor associated with sulfur can be predicted or controlled.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0032847477&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1023/A:1002050625344
DO - 10.1023/A:1002050625344
M3 - Article
C2 - 10532382
AN - SCOPUS:0032847477
VL - 76
SP - 247
EP - 261
JO - Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, International Journal of General and Molecular Microbiology
JF - Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, International Journal of General and Molecular Microbiology
SN - 0003-6072
IS - 1-4
ER -