The microbiological data related to produced Caciocavallo cheeses showed a prevalence of lactic acid bacteria, in accordance with previous studies (Coppola et al., 2003). Mesophilic and thermophilic LAB, in cocci and rod forms, showed high counts already at the beginning of production (Figure 3). In particular, mesophilic forms, from an initial value of 5 log cfu/g (CC) and 6