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Fungi causing thread mould spoilage of vacuum packaged Cheddar cheese during maturation

A D Hocking1, M Faedo

  • 1CSIRO Division of Food Processing, North Ryde, NSW, Australia.

International Journal of Food Microbiology
|June 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Thread mould in vacuum-packaged Cheddar cheese is caused by fungal growth within packaging. Key fungi identified include Cladosporium and Penicillium species, with contamination sources found throughout the cheese factory environment.

Area of Science:

  • Food Science
  • Mycology
  • Dairy Microbiology

Background:

  • Thread mould is a sporadic defect in vacuum-packaged Cheddar cheese.
  • This defect arises from fungal growth within the cheese packaging's folds and wrinkles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the fungal species responsible for thread mould defects in Cheddar cheese.
  • To investigate potential sources of fungal contamination within the cheese production environment.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and identification of fungi from 110 Cheddar cheese blocks with thread mould defects.
  • Environmental sampling of the cheese factory, including equipment, air, curd, and whey.

Main Results:

  • Major fungal species identified include Cladosporium cladosporioides, Penicillium commune, C. herbarum, P. glabrum, and a Phoma species.
  • Candida yeasts were also frequently isolated.
  • Causative fungal species were detected in various factory locations, indicating widespread contamination sources.

Conclusions:

  • Specific fungal species are confirmed as the primary agents of thread mould in Cheddar cheese.
  • The cheese factory environment presents numerous potential sources for fungal contamination, contributing to the defect.

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