Effect of thermosonication on the bioactive peptide profile, volatile compounds, and fatty acid profile of Minas Frescal cheese

This study investigated the effect of thermosonication (TS) of milk on the bioactive peptide profile, fatty acid composition, and volatile compounds of Minas Frescal cheese. Five cheese formulations were prepared: raw milk (Control), pasteurized milk (High-Temperature Short-Time or HTST) (72–75 °C/15 s), and milk treated by TS at nominal powers of 160 W (TS160), 400 W (TS400), and 640 W (TS640). The fatty acid profile and health indices did not change significantly after HTST or TS. TS, mainly TS400 treatment, increased the number of bioactive peptides with antihypertensive, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and antimicrobial activities and promoted the formation of unique volatile organic compounds, mainly from the ester and fatty acid groups. In conclusion, TS can be considered by the dairy industry as an interesting alternative for manufacturing Minas Frescal cheese, resulting in products with greater functional potential and unique volatile compounds and keeping the fatty acid profile unchanged.