Effects of gelation temperature on Mozzarella-type curd made from buffalo and cows' milk: 2. Curd yield, overall quality and casein fractions.

The overall quality of Mozzarella-type curds made from buffalo and cows' milks were measured at gelation temperatures of 28, 34 and 39°C, and cutting times of 45, 60, 75 and 90min after chymosin addition. The curd yield and moisture content decreased with increasing gelation temperature, while whey fat losses increased. The effect of higher gelation temperature (39°C) was more pronounced in cows' milk than buffalo milk. This results in more fat losses and lower yields in both milk samples at a gelation temperature of 39°C. The minimum losses of fat and protein in rennet whey occurred at a gelation temperature of 34°C in both milk samples. The curd yield was higher in buffalo milk as compared to cows' milk. This is due to difference in total solids (fat and protein contents) of the two types of bovine milk. The different cutting times had a small effect on the yield and overall quality of curds made from both milk types. Curd moisture and loss tangent have a strong relationship with respect to effects of gelation temperature. Two different curd drainage methods (centrifugation and Buchner funnel filtration) were used to compare the final overall quality of Mozzarella-type curds made from both milk types. The α(s1) and β casein fractions were found to be in different proportions in the two milk types. The total- and casein bound-calcium were higher in buffalo milk than cows' milk. The total protein, casein and fat were also found to be higher in buffalo milk than cows' milk.