Torsion Analysis of Fresh and Aged Cheeses1

Six cheese varieties encompassing a wide compositional and age range were analyzed fresh and after aging to determine correlations between casein proteolysis products, fat content, moisture content, and torsion results. Shear stress, a measure of the strength of the casein matrix, was dependent on the amount of intact αsl‐casein. Shear strain, a measure of the cohesiveness of a structure, exhibited a negative correlation with fat content and a positive correlation with moisture content. Shear strain was also correlated with the ratio of moisture to protein, an indication of the interaction between casein particles. Torsion tests provide information on the level of degradation of the casein network in cheese, which can be used by manufacturers to alter storage conditions to optimize the quality of their aged cheese., April 10, 2003