Augmenting the Quality and Shelf Life of Ras Cheese by Adding Microencapsulated Allspice Berry Extract Nanoemulsion

Abstract The current study was achieved to increase phenolic compounds and antioxidant content in Ras cheese by microencapsulation of the nanoemulsion of extract from the berries of allspice. The microencapsulation of the extract nanoemulsion from the berries of allspice using maltodextrin, whey protein concentrate, and guar gum was prepared by a freeze-drying process. The extract was cured, and nanoemulsion forms were prepared and evaluated for the antimicrobial effect and phenolic compound content. The morphology of microcapsules was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis. The prepared microcapsules were added to Ras cheese using ratios (1, 2, and 3% (w/w)) and then stored for 120 days for ripening and examined chemically, microbiologically, and organoleptically. The results indicated that the allspice extract in both forms has shown an inhibitory effect on all microorganisms. Moreover, the major phenol compound in allspice berry extract was gallic acid with quantities of 15,991 µg/g. Furthermore, the microcapsule efficiency was recorded at 80.97% and spherical with a diameter of 380 µm, while the nanoemulsion of extract as the core has a size of around 320 nm. The total lactic acid bacteria counts in all samples gradually declined during the ripening period. The mold and yeast count was not detected in fresh cheeses and appeared for cheese control more than in cheese with the extract. Cheese control and treatments contained lower titratable acidity, total nitrogen, soluble nitrogen, and ash ratio than the other cheese with extract treatments. The total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) were increased through the storage period in all cheese treatments. Correspondingly, Ras cheese acceptability for sensory evaluation increased during the ripening periods in all treatments, whereas cheese supplemented with 1% microcapsules ranked the highest score for flavor and body and texture during storage gaining a high accepted point of 93.62.