Universal drivers of cheese microbiomes.

ABSTRACT: The culinary value, quality, and safety of cheese are largely driven by the resident bacteria, but comparative analyses of the cheese microbiota across cheese types are scarce. We present the first global synthesis of cheese microbiomes. Following a systematic literature review of cheese microbiology research, we collected 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequence data from 824 cheese samples spanning 58 cheese types and 16 countries. We found a consistent, positive relationship between microbiome richness and pH, and a higher microbial richness in cheeses derived from goat milk. In contrast, we found no relationship between pasteurization, geographic location, or salinity and richness. Milk and cheese type, geographic location, and pasteurization collectively explained 65% of the variation in micro

SUBMITTER: Reuben RC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9792889 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature