Zeitschrift für Lebensmittel- und Ernährungsstörungen

Proteolysis of Reduced-Salt Cheddar Cheese as Affected by Casein to Fat Ratio, Rennet, and pH at Drainage

*Ali Sheibani, Ayyash M, Vasiljevic T and Vijay K. Mishra

Effects of change in pH at drainage (6.2, 5.9, and 5.6), rennet concentration (0.1 and 0.3 mL rennet/L of milk) and casein to fat ratio (0.6, 0.7, and 0.8) on proteolytic characteristics of salt-reduced Cheddar cheese were investigated. Chemical composition, lactic acid bacteria and proteolysis were measured. At the same drainage pH, cheeses with C/F ratio 0.6 had significantly higher moisture and ash content compared other ratios. The pH decreased significantly from day 0 (right after pressing) to 120 day and then remained constant. Total LAB growth in cheeses made with 0.3 ml rennet /L was higher at the same C/F ratio and pH at drainage of 6.2. Total plate count at day 180 was significantly higher compared with day 0 (right after pressing). At the same drainage pH, C/F ratio and storage time, water soluble nitrogen contents in cheeses made with 0.3 ml/L rennet were higher compared with 0.1 ml/L. Total free amino acids and trichloroacetic acid-soluble nitrogen contents increased significantly during storage. More hydrophobic peaks appeared as the rennet concentration was increased from 0.1 to 0.3 ml/L. Extra-hydrophobic peptides % in cheese at day 0 and pH at drainage of 5.6, were higher compared to cheese where pH at drainage was 6.2. Increase in C/F ratio and rennet concentration, especially at low pH, showed similar proteolysis as cheese containing 2.5-3% salt.