Analysis of the effect of Tenebrio Molitor rennet on the flavor formation of Cheddar cheese during ripening based on gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS)

This study aimed to evaluate the potential application of Tenebrio Molitor rennet (TMR) in Cheddar cheese production, and to use gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) to monitor flavor compounds and fingerprints of cheese during ripening. The results indicated that Cheddar cheese prepared from TMR (TF) has fat content significantly lower than that of commercial rennet (CF) (p < 0.05). However, the results of the sensory evaluation showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the two kinds of cheese (p > 0.05). Both cheeses were rich in free amino acids and free fatty acids. Compared to the CF cheese, gamma-aminobutyric acid and Ornithine contents of the TF cheese reached 187 and 749 mg/kg, respectively, during 120 days of ripening. Moreover, GC-IMS provided information on the characteristics of 40 flavor substances (monomers and dimers) in the TF cheese during ripening. Only 30 flavor substances were identified in the CF cheese. The fingerprint of the two kinds of cheese during ripening can be established by GC-IMS and principal component analysis based on the identified flavor compounds. Therefore, TMR has potential application in Cheddar cheese production. GC-IMS might be applied for the quick, accurate and comprehensive monitoring of cheese flavor during ripening.