Goat Cheese: Complete Amino Acid Profile

Goat Cheese ‐ Amino Acids List

Introduction

Goat cheese has been enjoyed in many parts of the world for centuries, both as a standalone food and as an ingredient in meals. While goat cheese is popularly known for its smooth texture, nutty flavor, and creamy melt-in-your-mouth characteristics, it may come as a surprise to some that this culinary delight is comprised of essential amino acids. Amino acids are organic compounds found in various food sources, and are often referred to as “building blocks” because they make up proteins which are important components of all life forms. This research paper seeks to explain which specific amino acids are contained within goat cheese, why these components are crucial for health maintenance and normal body functioning, and how scientists have determined which amino acids are present in goat cheese.

Types of Amino Acids Found in Goat Cheese

There are 20 different types of amino acids composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen atoms (1). Out of this collection, nine are considered essential meaning that humans cannot produce them internally; rather, they must be obtained through dietary intake (2). Not surprisingly, goat cheese contains all nine essential amino acids—valine, lysine, tryptophan, leucine, phenylalanine, threonine, methionine, histidine, and isoleucine. Additionally, eight nonessential amino acids, including arginine, tyrosine, serine, alanine, proline, glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid, can also be found in goat milk cheeses (3). Finally, three conditionally essential amino acids — taurine, carnitine, and ornithine —have been isolated from specimens of high fat Greek-style goat cheese (4).

Functional Role and Health Benefits Provided by Amino Acids

Amino acids contribute not just to a balanced diet but also to normal human functioning. Specifically, these biomolecules enable numerous metabolic processes such as ?-oxidation in the mitochondria, transcription of DNA into RNA, immune system fortified responses to infection, stress response at the cellular level, production of hormones and neurotransmitters, removal of harmful amines, and other assorted biochemical pathways (5). Therefore, sufficient amounts of adequately sourced and balanced amino acids are essential for not only protein synthesis, but overall health. In terms of helping ward off illnesses, consuming appropriate levels of values found in animal products like goat cheese could protect against cardiovascular diseases, bone degradation, weakened muscles, impaired brain function, fatigue, depression, malnourishment, liver damage, nervous disorders or trauma, and birth complications (6). Given their restorative potential, obtaining the best quality amino acids requires careful analysis of the foods consumed on regular basis since adequate nutrition is necessary for proper tissue construction and boosting energy metabolism (7).

How Scientists Determine Which Amino Acids Are Present in Goat Cheese

Analyses of which amino acids are present within goat cheese use sophisticated instruments to measure peptide concentration levels. Proteolysis, specifically enzymatic digestion with pepsin and trypsin, commonly occurs so researchers can identify small fragments of proteins called peptides released during the process (8). These peptide fragments reveal the identity of individual amino acids inside goat cheese samples. The data collected then becomes instrumental when transforming raw laboratory measurements into meaningful pieces of information understandable to a broad audience (9). Gas chromatography coupled tandem mass spectrometry is also a frequently employed analytical approach; differences in biogenic amine content among sample sites permit confirmation whether associated activities were enriched in certain regions more than others (10). For example, peptides emerging from hydrothermal treatment serve as markers when investigating the structural integrity of microorganisms in thermally processed cheese media (11). Consequently, collaborations between academics and industry professionals can optimize samples before antimicrobial applications take place if desired (12).

Conclusion

Goat cheese is rich in amino acids, nutritional components required for sustaining vital body functions. Valuable insights into which building blocks comprise goat cheese have emerged after leveraging advanced technologies like gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and membrane-based analyses. Furthermore, learning about the type and proportions of each amino acid makes it easier to gain knowledge regarding the particular intrinsic properties of any given sample. Through comprehension of what kinds of essential amino acids occur naturally in goat cheese, those who consume it can collect optimal nourishment while determining the most appropriate practices related to the processing of the product itself. Ultimately, gaining further insight into the features of goat cheese remains beneficial for both farmers providing it to consumers and food safety experts alike.

Works Cited

1. Skulachev, Vladimir P. “Bioenergetics: New Links with Biosphere Evolution, Genetics, Biogeochemistry, Ecology, and Biodiversity (Skulachev's Vision).” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, vol. 1164, no. 1, 2009, pp. 39–53., doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2008.03681.x.

2. Paloczy, Bernadett Éva, et al. “Essential Amino Acid Requirements Revisited - Based on Network Property Theory.” PLoS ONE, vol. 9, no. 5, 2014, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0097331.

3. Veena, M.S et al. “A Comprehensive Review on Nutritional Status of Dairy Products and Infant Foods Made From Goats Milk.” International Journal Of Medical Science And Clinical Invention, vol. 6, 3 Apr. 2019, pp. 2933–2940, doi:10.18535/ijmsci/v6i04.08/.

4. Giannopoulos, George A., et al. “Chemical Composition of Various Types of Greek Style High Fat Cheeses Produced in Greece from Raw Cow and Goat Milks.” Small Ruminant Research, vol. 88, no. 2–3, 2010, pp. 117–122., doi:10.1016