Composition of micellium fungi contaminating semi-hard cheese surface

Composition of microorganisms contaminating surface of hard and semi-hard cheese in the course of ripening and storage and present in the air of production rooms of cheese plants was studied. It was found that leading position belongs to mould fungi and among them predominant are s. Penicillium. Investigation of the composition of present day cheese plants microflora gave opportunity to isolate and identify 16 strains of micellium fungi. It was establishes that Penicillium roqueforti is a dominating species in the composition of micellium fungi covering cheese surface. Besides, in the period of ripening more often isolates of fungi P. expansum, P. aurantiogriseum and P. verrucosum are present.

Penicillium, Microorganisms, hard cheese, semi-hard cheese, mould fungi, Penicillium, micellium fungi