Cheese Genomics from the Region: A Comprehensive HTS Study on Grana Padano Authentication

The intricate interplay between cheese microbiota and the quest for authenticity not only illuminates the fascinating microbial ecology shaping cheese flavor and quality but also underscores the pivotal role of microbiota analysis in preserving traditional cheese-making techniques, ensuring product integrity, and fostering a deeper understanding of culinary heritage. The concept of food authenticity revolves around legally acknowledging distinctive traits upheld by a meticulous and bureaucratic certification process involving various entities. Geographical origin authentication is presented as a critical pillar not only for ensuring food quality and safety but also for economic growth. The alignment with regional natural capital goals emphasizes the connectivity of environmental, economic, and regulatory considerations in building sustainable rural landscapes. This review highlights the analytical techniques of microbiota examination as fortifying defences against food fraud. Emphasizing geographical identification and authenticity serves as a linchpin, fostering consumer confidence, streamlining regulatory compliance, and contributing to the integrity of the global food supply chain. The subsequent literature review focuses on PDO labelling, with a specific emphasis on Italian PDO cheeses and the application of genomic analysis and High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS) in analyzing cheese microbiota to determine its geographic origin and prevent fraudulent labelling in accordance with PDO regulations.