Fatty Acid Profile Of Sheep Cheeses That Are Commercialized In Chile

Abstract Text: The fatty acid (FA) content of sheep cheeses is an important characteristic for consumers due to its role in human health. In Chile, there is an incipient internal market for sheep cheeses due to the fact that the demand for these cheeses is not widespread; however, its production is expected to be increased in the forthcoming years. The present study was carried out to characterize the FA profile of sheep cheeses that are commercialized in Chile. Thirty-two sheep cheeses were collected from supermarkets of 5 different cities from which 21 were Chilean and 11 imported from Europe (Spain and France). Results showed that C10:0, C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C18:1 t11 and C18:1c9 represented around 78% of the total FA profile detected in cheeses.  Short-chain (C4:0-C6:0) and medium-chain (C8:0-12:0) FA content was lower in Chilean cheeses than European. Saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated FA contents did not differ between cheeses. The n6/n3 ratio was lower in Chilean cheeses than European (2.8 and 5.9). The atherogenicity index was not different between cheeses; however, the thrombogenic index was lower in Chilean cheeses (2.7) than European (2.9). The results indicated that the FA profile of Chilean cheeses was desirable from a human standpoint.

Keywords: cheese, fatty acids, thrombogenic index