INFLUENCE OF RENNET CONCENTRATION ON RIPENING CHARACTERISTICS OF HALLOUMI CHEESE

• Published in: Journal of food biochemistry Vol. 32; no. 5; pp. 615 - 627
• Main Authors: GUVEN, M, CADUN, C, KARACA, O.B, HAYALOGLU, A.A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Malden, USA : Blackwell Publishing Inc 01-10-2008; Blackwell Publishing Inc; Blackwell
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Milk and cheese industries. Ice creams; Ripening; Dairy product; Rennet; Cheese; Concentration
• ISSN: 0145-8884; 1745-4514
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-4514.2008.00187.x

In this study, the influence of rennet concentration on chemical composition, proteolysis and sensory properties of Halloumi cheese was evaluated during ripening. Halloumi cheese was manufactured from raw cow's milk using four levels of rennet (0.2, 0.25, 0.3 or 0.4 g rennet/kg cheese milk) and was ripened for 60 days at 4C. Proteolysis in the cheese was measured by determining soluble nitrogen fractions both in water and in 12% trichloroacetic acid as well as by patterns of urea-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Cheese grading was performed by an expert panel throughout the ripening period. The chemical composition of the cheese was significantly influenced by the level of rennet, which could be related to the differences in moisture contents of the cheese. The levels of water- or 12% trichloroacetic acid-soluble nitrogen fractions and degradations of αs₁- or β-caseins were quite low during the cheese maturation. No relation was found between rennet concentrations and casein degradation in the cheese during ripening. Results indicated that the different concentrations of rennet did not significantly influence the proteolytic profiles and sensory scores of Halloumi cheese; that is, an amount of rennet between 0.2 and 0.4 g rennet/kg cheese milk resulted in a similar quality of Halloumi cheese. Halloumi cheese was manufactured from raw cow's milk using different concentrations of rennet and was ripened for 60 days. The chemical composition of the cheese was influenced by different concentrations of rennet; however, ripening indices (proteolysis) and sensory attributes were identical in all samples. It is concluded that different concentrations of rennet (0.2-0.4 g rennet/kg cheese milk) have no significant influence on the ripening characteristics of Halloumi.