Improving Low-Fat Soft Cheese Quality Properties Made from Reconstituted Skim Milk by Using Whey Protein Concentrate as A fat Replacer

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effect of using whey protein concentrate (WPC) as a fat replacer and its role in improving the physicochemical, rheological, and sensory properties of low-fat soft cheese by adding four different ratios of (WPC) as (1.0,1.5,2.0,2.5) % to reconstituted bovine skim milk in four treatments (W2, W3, W4, W5)respectively, besides control cheese treatment (W1)which was made of whole bovine milk. The chemical tests included the percentage of moisture, protein, fat, lactose, and ash. The physical tests included the percentage of total acidity, pH, springiness, and compression ability besides cheese yield percentage, total energy, and sensory evaluation after cheese making and throughout the 14 days of storage time at (5 1)°C. Results showed that all (WPC) treatments have high moisture percentage compared to the control treatment, though all the treatments had a decrease in moisture values with storage. Results also showed a decrease in fat content for all the skim milk treatments with (WPC) addition. Lactose percentages were converged in all treatments. The results also showed an increase in total acidity and a decrease in pH for the (WPC) addition treatments. Microbiological results showed increased total count for the (WPC) addition treatments compared with the control. Furthermore, the results showed that adding (WPC) led to improving the springiness and compression ability and increased the cheese yield. On the other hand, it decreased the cheese energy compared to control. Sensory properties were improved by added WPC.