Clostridium tyrobutyricum is a rod-shape, gram-positive bacteria that grows under anaerobic condition and produces
butyric acid,
acetic acid and
hydrogen gas as their major fermentation products from
glucose and
xylose.
The late-blowing defect in Cheese
Clostridium tyrobutyricum spores present in raw milk ferments lactate causing the "late-blowing" defect in high-pH cheeses such as
Emmentaler,
Gouda or
Edamer. Even low spore densities of this anaerobe in milk used for cheese production can bring about this phenomenon, if the growth conditions are suitable.
This defect is characterized by eyes, slits, and cracks caused by the production of the gas bubbles as well as abnormal cheese flavor from the Butyric acid. This defect can create considerable loss of product.
External links
★
Clostridium tyrobutyricum ATCC 25755