title: Effect of homogenization on the properties and microstructure of Mozzarella cheese from buffalo milk.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The name pasta filata refers to a unique plasticizing and texturing treatments of the fresh curd in hot water that imparts to the finished cheese its characteristic fibrous structure and melting properties. Mozzarella cheese made from standardized homogenized and non-homogenized buffalo milk with 3 and 1.5%fat. The effect of homogenization on rheological, microstructure and sensory evaluation was carried out.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fresh raw buffalo milk and starter cultures of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus were used. The coagulants were calf rennet powder (HA-LA). Standardized buffalo milk was homogenized at 25 kg/cm2 pressure after heating to 60°C using homogenizer. Milk and cheese were analysed. Microstructure of the cheese samples was investigated either with an application of transmission or scanning electron microscope. Statistical analyses were applied on the obtained data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Soluble nitrogen total volatile free fatty acids, soluble tyrosine and tryptophan increased with using homogenized milk and also, increased with relatively decrease in case of homogenized Mozzarella cheese. Meltability of Mozzarella cheese increased with increasing the fat content and storage period and decrease with homogenization. Mozzarella cheese firmness increased with homogenization and also, increased with progressing of storage period. Flavour score, appearance and total score of Mozzarella cheese increased with homogenization and storage period progress, while body and texture score decreased with homogenization and increased with storage period progress. Microstructure of Mozzarella cheese showed the low fat cheese tends to be harder, more crumbly and less smooth than normal. Curd granule junctions were prominent in non-homogenized milk cheese.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Homogenization of milk cheese caused changes in the microstructure of the Mozzarella cheese. Microstructure studies of cheese revealed that cheese made from homogenized milk is smoother and has a finer texture than non-homogenized but is also, firmer and more elastic.
authors.affiliation: Dairy Science Department, National Research Center in Dokki, Giza El Buhouth St., Dokki, Egypt. monaama2003@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Mona A M
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Abd El-Gawad
authors.forename: Nawal S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: El-Abd
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abd El-Rafee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002020:Buffaloes; D002611:Cheese / Q000032:analysis*; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods*; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry*; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D008894:Milk Proteins