In the present work conjugated fatty acid content, atherogenicity index, esterase activity and sensory
analysis of semi-hard goat cheeses manufactured with autochthonous starter and adjunct or commercial
cultures were analyzed. The comparison of cheeses obtained with or without addition of autochthonous
cultures reported statistically significant differences in the fatty acid profile and estersase activity that
could be due to a different degree of lipolysis in the cheeses, but did not significantly affect the gross
composition of cheeses. Short chain and polyunsaturated fatty acid content was higher in products with
autochthonous than commercial cultures. The inclusion of these cultures into the artisanal cheese
manufacture improves the conjugated fatty acid content, flavour and the atherogenicity index of the final
product. Though, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) level, increased during ripening time in cheese
containing autochthonous cultures from 0.6 to 1.0 g/100 g of fatty acids, offering for human consumers
among 417–427 mg/100 g of cheese. Differences on esterase activity and atherogenicity index were also
observed among cheeses, representing cheeses manufactured with autochthonous bacteria a healthier
product than those elaborated with commercial cultures.