Ripening-Associated Changes in Fatty Acid Composition and Nutritional Indices in Caciocavallo Silano PDO Cheese

Caciocavallo Silano PDO is a traditional Italian stretched-curd cheese produced in southern Italy, subjected to a minimum ripening period of 30 days. The present study aimed to characterize the chemical composition and fatty acid (FA) profile at three ripening stages (up to 120 days). The proximate composition, FAs profile, and lactose content of cheese samples from three production batches, all made with Friesian cow milk, were analyzed. The results showed significant compositional changes during maturation. Moisture content decreased from 46.5% in 30 days to 33.0% in 120 days, with a corresponding increase in protein and fat content. Lactose content was below the limit of quantification (LOQ) at all ripening stages, confirming its natural depletion over time. The FA analysis revealed thirty-five different FAs, including fourteen saturated fatty acids (SFAs), nine monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and twelve polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Among SFAs, palmitic and stearic acids were the most abundant, while lauric and myristic acids significantly increased with ripening. The sum of MUFAs showed a slight decrease, mainly due to the reduction in oleic acid, which dropped from 22.6% to 21.3% over maturation. Conversely, PUFAs exhibited a significant increase, particularly linoleic and α-linolenic acids, which are associated with positive health effects. In particular, an increase in PUFA composition and an optimal omega-6/omega-3 ratio could have a positive effect on health, with a consequent enhancement of cardiovascular function. The findings suggest that cheese maturation influences its nutritional and lipid profile, with potential implications for consumer health. Future research should assess how feeding strategies and production methods impact the FA composition of Caciocavallo Silano PDO.