Concentrated emulsions as novel fat replacers in reduced-fat and low-fat Cheddar cheeses. Part 2. Large amplitude oscillatory shear behavior

Abstract

Lower-fat cheeses with desirable texture can be difficult to produce. The objective of this study was to characterize the effects of concentrated emulsions as a fat replacer on the viscoelastic properties of reduced-fat (15% fat) and low-fat (6% fat) Cheddar cheeses. Concentrated emulsions were prepared by adding a fish gelatin–gum arabic mixture at pH 5.0 and 3.6 to olive oil at a water:oil ratio of 30:70 (w/w). Cheddar cheeses containing emulsions were made by adding the emulsions to skim milk after adding starter culture and before renneting and subsequent cheesemaking. Two control cheeses at each fat level were produced using either olive oil or cream. Cheeses containing emulsions showed greater nonlinearity under large amplitude oscillatory shear, and smaller critical stress and moduli values compared with controls at all storage timepoints. These results were ascribed to greater casein network discontinuity and more open spaces created by aggregated emulsion droplets.