Optimization of pH, temperature and CaCl sub(2) concentrations for Ricotta cheese production from Buffalo cheese whey using Response Surface Methodology

• Published in: Journal of dairy research 2017-02, Vol.84 (1), p.109-116
• Main Authors: Rashid, Abdul Ahid, Huma, Nuzhat, Zahoor, Tahir, Asgher, Muhammad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0022-0299; 1469-7629
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022029916000819

The recovery of milk constituents from cheese whey is affected by various processing conditions followed during production of Ricotta cheese. The objective of the present investigation was to optimize the temperature (60-90 degree C), pH (3-7) and CaCl sub(2) concentration (2.0-6.0 mm) for maximum yield/recovery of milk constituents. The research work was carried out in two phases. In 1st phase, the influence of these processing conditions was evaluated through 20 experiments formulated by central composite design (CCD) keeping the yield as response factor. The results obtained from these experiments were used to optimize processing conditions for maximum yield using response surface methodology (RSM). The three best combinations of processing conditions (90 degree C, pH 7, CaCl sub(2) 6 mm), (100 degree C, pH 5, CaCl sub(2) 4 mm) and (75 degree C, pH 8.4, CaCl sub(2) 4 mm) were exploited in the next phase for Ricotta cheese production from a mixture of Buffalo cheese whey and skim milk (9 : 1) to determine the influence of optimized conditions on the cheese composition. Ricotta cheeses were analyzed for various physicochemical (moisture, fat, protein, lactose, total solids, pH and acidity indicated) parameters during storage of 60 d at 4 plus or minus 2 degree C after every 15 d interval. Ricotta cheese prepared at 90 degree C, pH 7 and CaCl sub(2) 6 mm exhibited the highest cheese yield, proteins and total solids, while high fat content was recorded for cheese processed at 100 degree C, pH 5 and 4 mm CaCl sub(2) concentration. A significant storage-related increase in acidity and NPN was recorded for all cheese samples.