Physical and Sensory Properties of Block Processed Cheese with Formulated Emulsifying Salt Mixtures

Various emulsifying salt mixtures were used in making block type processed cheeses. Ras cheese was used as the cheese base with two salt mixtures: (i) Na-diphosphate + Na-polyphosphate + Na-tripolyphosphate and (ii) Na-poly-phosphate + Na-citrate + Na-orthophosphate + Na-diphosphate comparing to commercial salts Joha SE and PZO respectively. The resultant processed cheeses were analyzed when fresh and monthly during storage at 7 and 20°C for water activity (a w ), oil separation, meltability, flow behavior, color parameters, and sensory properties. There were no significant differences in water activity values among all treatments. The differences were significant in oil index and meltability values. The samples exhibited different shear stress values and it was highest in treatments with commercial salts. Consistency coefficient (k-value) of processed cheese samples was affected by emulsifying salt mixture being almost two folds higher with salt mixtures (i) than those of salt mixtures (ii). The color parameters L, a, b, Chroma and hue angle showed slight differences among treatments and the cheese was shinier and whiter with increasing pyrophosphate content in the salt mixture. The stored samples became less white especially when stored at room temperature (20°C). Sensory evaluation showed that all cheeses were acceptable but the most acceptable samples were produced with mixtures in the ratio of (i) 30:40:30 and (ii) 50:20:20:10.