The influence of Ca++ and Nacl and brining temperature on textural hardness and syneresis or swelling protein matrix in ultrafiltration feta cheese

One of the common defects in the processing of Feta cheese made in package is softening of texture. This defect occurs mainly at low temperatures and salt levels. In the industry, by increasing the amount of syneresis from the curd, some of this defect is prevented.In addition to texture softening, quantity and quality of UF –Feta cheese affected by expulsion or absorption phenomena. Reducing or increasing moisture content of cheeses matrix effected on other compositions and physical properties of cheeses protein matrix. The most important factors that play role on syneresis and textural properties are temperature, NaCl concentration and calcium level. The mechanism of this factors is different, but in summary, any factor that increase protein aggregation in cheeses matrix, grain hardness and syneresis, and in contrast, expanding cheese matrix occur.

In this research, hardness and syneresis or absorption amount measured in six brine concentration consist 0, 2, 8, 10, 18 and 26 in 3 (200, 1700 and 3200 ppm) calcium ions levels (18 treatments) at 3, 11, 9 and 27°C (72 treatments). The 3 replicates were analyzed in triplicate. Data were analyzed using a split-plot design.

Temperature, brine composition (NaCl and calcium ions) and interaction between this factors (Salt× Ca++, T× Salt and T× Ca++) and Salt× Ca++×T, was significant effects (p<0.01) on hardness and syneresis. The absorption phenomena occur in a salt concentration and temperature less than about 8% and 11°C, respectively. At more than 8% NaCl and 11°C, gradually, hardness and syneresis improved. The most swelling was observed in range 8-10% salt. Increasing of Ca++ was shifted maximum absorption to lower brine concentration. When Ca++ ions increased, the maximum swelling was shifted to lower brine concentration. Also, the hardness results and moisture content of cheese confirmed shrinkage and swelling of the cheese matrix.

The interaction of temperature, Nacl and calcium have two different models on syneresis and textural properties in UF-Feta cheese. At below 11°C, when Nacl concentration enhanced up to 8-10%, softening and swelling cheese matrix increased, but Increasing Nacl concentration and temperature above this rang improve shrinkage and hardness cheese matrix. Also, grain in calcium ion concentration reduced swelling and softening in UF- feta cheese at all temperature and Nacl concentrations. Therefore, in order to avoid the softness of the texture of this type of cheese, the process of industrial production and storage should be designed in such a way as to prevent optimal swelling of cheese matrix.