Effect of Trisodium Citrate Concentration and Soy Cheese on Meltability of Pizza Cheese

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of soy cheese (tofu) and trisodium citrate (TSC) concentration on physicochemical properties of pizza cheese. The results indicated that fat and FDM contents of pizza cheese increased significantly with increased proportion of TSC, while moisture and protein decreased but not significantly (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the fat, FDM, and protein content decreased with increased proportion of tofu, while moisture increased. The melting area and melting degree indicated that melting properties of pizza cheese decreased significantly, as the concentration of TSC increased. Furthermore, increase approximately 5 and 10% tofu in the blends with 0.5% TSC or 10% tofu in the blends with 1% TSC affected notable decrease in melting properties. Among each level of tofu, oiling off area showed significant increase with increasing TSC. Increase in tofu proportion as well as different TSC concentration resulted in decrease in free oil. The control cheese with 1% TSC (CC2C) had maximum oiling off, and with increase in tofu proportion there was a corresponding reduction (P < 0.05) in the oiling off area. It was observed that increase approximately 10% tofu in the blends with 0.5% TSC cause marked reduction in oiling off area by approximately 47%. There was rapid increase in oiling off area during the early stage of cooking. According to observation, free oil formation of cheese with 1% TSC (C2C) was higher than that of the cheese with 0.5% TSC (C1C), especially during 2.5 to 10 min (P > 0.05). Oiling off area of treatments decreased independently of trisodium citrate prolong cooking as the proportion of tofu increased.