Rennet coagulation of skim milk and curd drainage: Effect of pH, casein concentration, ionic strength and heat treatment

Abstract

The effect of the pH of skim milk (6.4 to 6.0), the casein concentration (27 to 36 g·kg-1), a reduction in the ionic strength to 0.6 compared to that of unmodified milk and the effect of heat treatment on rennet coagulation, gel syneresis and drainage were tested. Coagulation was measured using a formagraph and by viscoelasticimetry, while syneresis was studied using a centrifugation test. Drainage was followed under conditions similar to those of cheesemaking, using either a mesophilic or thermophilic process. The effects of pH and casein concentration on rennet coagulation, gel syneresis and drainage were in accordance with those reported in the literature. Reduction in ionic strength led to shorter coagulation time and firming time. It also led to an increase in gel firmness, gel syneresis, drainage rate, final amount of expelled whey, solids content and hardness of drained curd. Ionic strength appeared to have an interactive effect with pH on coagulation and with the concentration of casein on syneresis and drainage. This effect of the reduction in ionic strength is discussed.