Abstract “Jben” is an Algerian traditional fresh cheese produced from raw or pasteurized milk of cows, goats and sheep, on a small scale during the period of milk abundance in a restricted area of the North-east and -West of Algeria. In this study, four Jben-type cheeses were produced: cheeses made from cow’s milk subjected to 82 °C/10 sec treatment or without heat treatment, and its analogue goat’s milk cheeses. We investigated the effects of “Heat treatment: raw or pasteurized” and “Species: cow or goat” on microbiological characteristics, pH and acidity of “Jben” cheese. Milk samples were collected across five breeding of cows and three breeding of goats in the northeastern Algeria and “Jben” cheeses were made. Results showed that more than 40% of raw and pasteurized milk have poor hygienic quality. However, in both species, “Jben” produced from pasteurized milk has better sanitary quality than “Jben” produced from raw milk. All cheese samples were safe according to the criteria of the regulation (EC) 1441/2007. Pasteurization did not affect acidity in both species. Data from this study may contribute to improve the cheese-making process in small scale, using milk from different species (cow and goat).

Abstract Cheese production is one of the most common forms of valorization of dairy production, adding value and preserving milk. Various types of cheese produced from raw and pasteurized milk are known worldwide. In the present work, we are interested in studying the effect of the type of milk (raw and pasteurized) of two species (cow and goat) on the yield and physicochemical characteristics of the fresh cheese. In the northeastern Algeria, on 5 cow farms and 3 goat farms; 5 raw and 5 pasteurized milk cheese manufacturing trials were conducted. The analysis of the results of the 80 samples of milk and cheese of both cow and goat species showed that the latter contained significantly more fat and protein than cow's milk and that pasteurized milk contained more protein than raw milk. As a result, actual cheese yield of goat cheese was higher than that of cows in pasteurized and raw milk. For higher yield, our result supported the use of pasteurized milk as a raw material in the manufacture of farmhouse cheese.