Flavouring of imitation cheese with enzyme-modified cheeses (EMCs): Sensory impact and measurement of aroma active short chain fatty acids (SCFAs)

Enzyme-modified cheeses (EMCs) are used to impart flavour to imitation cheese products. Cheeses (pH 6 or 5.5) were formulated with 5% w/w EMC, having low, medium or high levels of lipolysis and were examined by a sensory panel. Free fatty acid analyses were performed using SPME/GC. The flavour profile of the flavoured cheeses was affected by EMC composition and pH of the cheese base. Cheeses at a pH of 6.0, flavoured with low lipolysis EMCs, were described as ‘bland’. Lowering the pH of the cheese matrix to 5.5 appeared to increase the flavour intensity of the cheese flavoured with low lipolysis EMC and panellists ranked this cheese the highest, describing its flavour as ‘well-balanced and ‘cheesy’. This study shows that the flavours of imitation cheeses are influenced by the level of lipolysis of the EMCs used to flavour them and also by the pH of the cheese base.     

Influence of Australian Native Herbs on the Maturation of Vacuum-packed Cheese

The composition, microbiology and biochemistry of semi-hard cheeses flavoured with native mint, lemon myrtle and bush tomato (BT) were compared with unflavoured (control) cheese during a 90-day period of maturation. Moisture, protein and salt levels of all cheeses were similar and did not change during maturation. However, the fat content of control cheese was significantly higher than that of the flavoured cheeses while the pH of cheese flavoured with BT was consistently lower throughout maturation. Total viable organisms, Lactobacillus and Lactococcus counts were between 10⁶ and 10⁷ colony forming units (cfu)/g cheese for all cheeses. Yeast and mould count was <10² cfu/g cheese throughout the maturation of all cheeses except in the cheese flavoured with BT which was >10³ cfu/g cheese. Biochemical indices of proteolysis and lipolysis increased with the extent of maturation in all cheeses but were most pronounced in the BT-flavoured cheese. The capillary electrophoretic profile of this cheese also indicated a more extensive hydrolysis of both α s- and β -caseins. The microbiological quality of BT appeared to have exerted a very significant influence on cheese properties.     

Inclusion of starch in imitation cheese: Its influence on water mobility and cheese functionality

The impact of starch type and concentration on the nature of water in and the rheology of imitation cheese were investigated. Imitation cheese (55% moisture) containing four starches (native, pre-gelatinised, resistant or waxy corn) at inclusion levels of 1.9%, 3.9%, 5.8%, 7.8%, or 9.9% w/w were manufactured using a Brabender Farinograph-E^®. The textural properties were assessed by torsion gelometry and dynamic rheology and the mobility of water by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation techniques. Cheese microstructure was assessed using light microscopy. Increasing the starch content changed the texture of cheeses from ‘soft’ to ‘brittle/tough’ and significantly (p<0.05) decreased the mobility of water. Cheese melt and hardness were influenced by the mobility of water. Matrices in which the water was more mobile produced good melting soft cheeses, while cheeses in which water was less mobile were tough and non-melting. Light micrographs showed that starch type influenced cheese microstructure. The native and pre-gelatinised starches became swollen and disrupted the continuity of the protein matrix, separating the matrix into a protein and starch phase. Resistant and waxy corn starches were present in the protein matrix as small discrete particles, appearing relatively intact, unswollen and relatively unchanged by the cheese manufacturing process. The study indicates that varying the level/type of starch alters the water mobility and thus the functionality of imitation cheeses.     

Effect of Resistant Starch and Inulin on the Properties of Imitation Mozzarella Cheese

The effect of two fat replacers (inulin and resistant starch) on functional properties and microstructure of imitation Mozzarella cheeses was evaluated. Three groups of imitation Mozzarella cheeses were manufactured by adding 0, 2.4, 4.8, 7.2, 9.6, and 12% (w/w) inulin or resistant starch instead of the fat, respectively. Inclusion of the inulin up to 7.2% in cheese, fat content of it was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased and the moisture and pH values of it were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) different. Inclusion of resistant starch up to 9.6% in cheese, fat content of it was significantly (p ≤ 0.01) decreased and the moisture and pH values of it were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) different. The physical properties of these cheeses were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) among them. The textural properties were determined by instrumental texture pro?le. With increased levels of inulin or resistant starch from 2.4 to 12% (w/w), the hardness of the resultant imitation cheeses were significantly increased (p ≤ 0.05), while the cohesiveness and springiness decreased and the meltability and stretch ability had reduced (p ≤ 0.05), compared with the control, especially containing resistant starch stretch ability had reduced more. The microstructure of imitation Mozzarella cheese was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The scanning electron microscopy results indicated that interactions between casein and inulin or resistant starch in imitation cheeses accounted for variance properties of imitation cheese. It is concluded that inulin or resistant starch could be used to replace up to 7.2% of the fat in imitation cheese and that the preferred substitution was inulin.     

The effect of adding enzyme‐modified cheese on sensory and texture properties of low‐ and high‐fat cream cheeses

The influence of enzyme‐modified cheese (EMC) and fat content on sensory and texture properties of cream cheese was investigated. Enzyme‐modified cheese and fat content were set at three levels each, and organoleptic and texture properties for all experimental cheeses were then determined. Data were analysed using response surface methodology. Both design parameters had significant influence on sensory and texture properties. The EMC did not alter hardness significantly, whereas the higher fat formula had the higher hardness. The results indicated that the optimum level of EMC was less than 1% for high‐fat cream cheeses and at least 5% for low‐fat cream cheeses.     

Rheology of Full-fat and Low-fat Cheddar Cheeses as Related to Type of Fat Mimetic

Cheeses with 60% reduced fat were prepared with three fat mimetics and viscoelasticity was studied. Storage and loss moduli of low-fat cheeses made with a carbohydrate-based fat mimetic were greater (p < 0.05) than those of low-fat cheeses made with two protein-based fat mimetics or low-fat control cheese, but smaller (p < 0.05) than the storage and loss moduli of full-fat cheese. A six-element Kelvin model properly predicted the creep compliance for the full-fat cheese and the low-fat cheeses made with or without fat mimetics. Low-fat cheese made with a carbohydrate-based fat mimetic had a network structure more similar to full-fat cheese than the low-fat control or samples made with protein-based fat mimetics.     

Fat Mimetics in Low-Fat Cheddar Cheese

Cheeses with 60% reduced fat content were prepared with three commercial fat mimetics. Low-fat cheeses without added fat mimetics and full-fat cheeses were prepared as controls. Cheeses were aged 3 months prior to sensory and instrumental evaluation. A low-fat cheese containing one of the fat mimetics received the highest texture scores from dairy judges and consumer panelists (P≤0.05). The low-fat control and another cheese with a fat mimetic received higher flavor scores from the trained dairy judges and consumer panelists than the other cheeses containing fat mimetics (P≤0.05). Low-fat cheeses containing fat mimetics were less rubbery than the low-fat control cheese (P≤0.05).     

Crispiness of a microwave-expanded imitation cheese: Mechanical, acoustic and sensory evaluation

The objective of this study was to determine the crispiness of microwave-expanded imitation cheese and compare the results with sensory evaluation. Three cheeses were manufactured with 36%, 19%, or 15% protein; all three with 0% fat, a fourth cheese had 4% fat and 19% protein. After 3 and 9 days of storage at 5 °C, the cheeses were subjected to microwaving and the volumetric expansion, mechanical, acoustic and sensory crispiness of the expanded products was determined. The expansion and crispiness increased with increasing heating time and decreased with decreasing protein content. The expanded cheese with the highest protein (36%) and the cheese with 4% fat were considered the most and the least crispy respectively by mechanical, acoustic and sensory evaluation. Crispiness of the microwave-expanded imitation cheese was influenced by the protein content and the degree of plasticisation of the cheese matrix.     

Use of cold microfiltration retentates produced with polymeric membranes for standardization of milks for manufacture of pizza cheese

Pizza cheese was manufactured with milk (12.1% total solids, 3.1% casein, 3.1% fat) standardized with microfiltered (MF) and diafiltered retentates. Polymeric, spiral-wound MF membranes were used to process cold (<7°C) skim milk, and diafiltration of MF retentates resulted in at least 36% removal of serum protein on a true protein basis. Cheese milks were obtained by blending the MF retentate (16.4% total solids, 11.0% casein, 0.4% fat) with whole milk (12.1% total solids, 2.4% casein, 3.4% fat). Control cheese was made with part-skim milk (10.9% total solids, 2.4% casein, 2.4% fat). Initial trials with MF standardized milk resulted in cheese with approximately 2 to 3% lower moisture (45%) than control cheese (∼47 to 48%). Cheese-making procedures (cutting conditions) were then altered to obtain a similar moisture content in all cheeses by using a lower setting temperature, increasing the curd size, and lowering the wash water temperature during manufacture of the MF cheeses. Two types of MF standardized cheeses were produced, one with preacidification of milk to pH 6.4 (pH6.4MF) and another made from milk preacidified to pH 6.3 (pH6.3MF). Cheese functionality was assessed by dynamic low-amplitude oscillatory rheology, University of Wisconsin MeltProfiler, and performance on pizza. Nitrogen recoveries were significantly higher in MF standardized cheeses. Fat recoveries were higher in the pH6.3MF cheese than the control or pH6.4MF cheese. Moisture-adjusted cheese yield was significantly higher in the 2 MF-fortified cheeses compared with the control cheese. Maximum loss tangent (LT_max) values were not significantly different among the 3 cheeses, suggesting that these cheeses had similar meltability. The LT_max values increased during ripening. The temperature at which the LT_max was observed was highest in control cheese and was lower in the pH6.3MF cheese than in the pH6.4MF cheese. The temperature of the LT_max decreased with age for all 3 cheeses. Values of 12% trichloroacetic acid soluble nitrogen levels were similar in all cheeses. Performance on pizza was similar for all cheeses. The use of MF retentates derived with polymeric membranes was successful in increasing cheese yield, and cheese quality was similar in the control and MF standardized cheeses.     

Standardization of milk using cold ultrafiltration retentates for the manufacture of Swiss cheese: effect of altering coagulation conditions on yield and cheese quality

Fortification of cheesemilk with membrane retentates is often practiced by cheesemakers to increase yield. However, the higher casein (CN) content can alter coagulation characteristics, which may affect cheese yield and quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of using ultrafiltration (UF) retentates that were processed at low temperatures on the properties of Swiss cheese. Because of the faster clotting observed with fortified milks, we also investigated the effects of altering the coagulation conditions by reducing the renneting temperature (from 32.2 to 28.3°C) and allowing a longer renneting time before cutting (i.e., giving an extra 5 min). Milks with elevated total solids (TS; ∼13.4%) were made by blending whole milk retentates (26.5% TS, 7.7% CN, 11.5% fat) obtained by cold (<7°C) UF with part skim milk (11.4% TS, 2.5% CN, 2.6% fat) to obtain milk with CN:fat ratio of approximately 0.87. Control cheeses were made from part-skim milk (11.5% TS, 2.5% CN, 2.8% fat). Three types of UF fortified cheeses were manufactured by altering the renneting temperature and renneting time: high renneting temperature = 32.2°C (UFHT), low renneting temperature = 28.3°C (UFLT), and a low renneting temperature (28.3°C) plus longer cutting time (+5 min compared to UFLT; UFLTL). Cutting times, as selected by a Wisconsin licensed cheesemaker, were approximately 21, 31, 35, and 32 min for UFHT, UFLT, UFLTL, and control milks, respectively. Storage moduli of gels at cutting were lower for the UFHT and UFLT samples compared with UFLTL or control. Yield stress values of gels from the UF-fortified milks were higher than those of control milks, and decreasing the renneting temperature reduced the yield stress values. Increasing the cutting time for the gels made from the UF-fortified milks resulted in an increase in yield stress values. Yield strain values were significantly lower in gels made from control or UFLTL milks compared with gels made from UFHT or UFLT milks. Cheese composition did not differ except for fat content, which was lower in the control compared with the UF-fortified cheeses. No residual lactose or galactose remained in the cheeses after 2 mo of ripening. Fat recoveries were similar in control, UFHT, and UFLTL but lower in UFLT cheeses. Significantly higher N recoveries were obtained in the UF-fortified cheeses compared with control cheese. Because of higher fat and CN contents, cheese yield was significantly higher in UF-fortified cheeses (∼11.0 to 11.2%) compared with control cheese (∼8.5%). A significant reduction was observed in volume of whey produced from cheese made from UF-fortified milk and in these wheys, the protein was a higher proportion of the solids. During ripening, the pH values and 12% trichloroacetic acid-soluble N levels were similar for all cheeses. No differences were observed in the sensory properties of the cheeses. The use of UF retentates improved cheese yield with no significant effect on ripening or sensory quality. The faster coagulation and gel firming can be decreased by altering the renneting conditions.     

Improvement in melting and baking properties of low-fat Mozzarella cheese

Low-fat cheeses dehydrate too quickly when baked in a forced air convection oven, preventing proper melting on a pizza. To overcome this problem, low-fat Mozzarella cheese was developed in which fat is released onto the cheese surface during baking to prevent excessive dehydration. Low-fat Mozzarella cheese curd was made with target fat contents of 15, 30, 45, and 60 g/kg using direct acidification of the milk to pH 5.9 before renneting. The 4 portions of cheese curd were comminuted and then mixed with sufficient glucono-δ-lactone and melted butter (45, 30, 15, or 0 g/kg, respectively), then pressed into blocks to produce low-fat Mozzarella cheese with about 6% fat and pH 5.2. The cheeses were analyzed after 15, 30, 60, and 120 d of storage at 5°C for melting characteristics, texture, free oil content, dehydration performance, and stretch when baked on a pizza at 250°C for 6 min in a convection oven. Cheeses made with added butter had higher stretchability compared with the control cheese. Melting characteristics also improved in contrast to the control cheese, which remained in the form of shreds during baking and lacked proper melting. The cheeses made with added butter had higher free oil content, which correlated (R² ≥ 0.92) to the amount of butterfat added, and less hardness and gumminess compared with the control low fat cheese.     

Influence of salt-to-moisture ratio on starter culture and calcium lactate crystal formation

The occurrence of l(+)-lactate crystals in hard cheeses continues to be an expense to the cheese industry. Salt tolerance of the starter culture and the salt-to-moisture ratio (S:M) in cheese dictate the final pH of cheese, which influences calcium lactate crystal (CLC) formation. This research investigates these interactions on the occurrence of CLC. A commercial starter was selected based on its sensitivity to salt, less than and greater than 4.0% S:M. Cheddar cheese was made by using either whole milk (3.25% protein, 3.85% fat) or whole milk supplemented with cream and ultrafiltered milk (4.50% protein, 5.30% fat). Calculated amounts of salt were added at milling (pH 5.40 ± 0.02) to obtain cheeses with less than 3.6% and greater than 4.5% S:M. Total and soluble calcium, total lactic acid, and pH were measured and the development of CLC was monitored in cheeses. All cheeses were vacuum packaged and gas flushed with nitrogen gas and aged at 7.2°C for 15 wk. Concentration of total lactic acid in high S:M cheeses ranged from 0.73 to 0.80 g/100 g of cheese, whereas that in low S:M cheeses ranged from 1.86 to 1.97 g/100 g of cheese at the end of 15 wk of aging because of the salt sensitivity of the starter culture. Concentrated milk cheeses with low and high S:M exhibited a 30 to 28% increase in total calcium (1,242 and 1,239 mg/100 g of cheese, respectively) compared with whole milk cheeses with low and high S:M (954 and 967 mg/100 g of cheese, respectively) throughout aging. Soluble calcium was 41 to 35% greater in low S:M cheeses (low-salt whole milk cheese and low-salt concentrated milk cheese; 496 and 524 mg/100 g of cheese, respectively) compared with high S:M cheeses (high-salt whole milk cheese and high-salt concentrated milk cheese; 351 and 387 mg/100 g of cheese, respectively). Because of the lower pH of the low S:M cheeses, CLC were observed in low S:M cheeses. However, the greatest intensity of CLC was observed in gas-flushed cheeses made with milk containing increased protein concentration because of the increased content of calcium available for CLC formation. These results show that the occurrence of CLC is dependent on cheese milk concentration and pH of the cheese, which can be influenced by S:M and cheese microflora.     

Influence of exopolysaccharide‐producing cultures on the volatile profile and sensory quality of low‐fat Tulum cheese during ripening

The objective of this investigation was to compare the composition and changes in the concentration of volatiles in low‐fat and full‐fat Tulum cheeses during ripening. Tulum cheese was manufactured from low‐ or full‐fat milk using exopolysaccharide (EPS)‐producing or non‐EPS‐producing starter cultures. A total of 82 volatile compounds were identified belonging to the following chemical groups: acids (seven), esters (21), ketones (14), aldehydes (six), alcohols (14) and miscellaneous compounds (20). The relative amounts of acids, alcohols and aldehydes increased in the cheeses made with EPS‐producing cultures during 90 days of ripening. Differences were found in the volatile profile of full‐fat Tulum cheese compared with the low‐fat variant, especially after 90 days of ripening. Exopolysaccharide‐producing cultures changed the volatile profile, and the EPS‐producing cultures including Streptococcus thermophilus + Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus + Lactobacillus helveticus (LF‐EPS2) produced cheese with higher levels of methyl ketones and aldehydes than the non‐EPS cultures. In the sensory analysis, full‐fat Tulum cheeses and the cheese produced with the EPS‐producing culture containing Lb. helveticus (LF‐EPS2) were preferred by the expert panel. It was concluded that the use of EPS‐producing starter cultures in the manufacture of low‐fat Tulum cheese had the potential to improve the flavour.     

Composition, yield, and functionality of reduced-fat Oaxaca cheese: effects of using skim milk or a dry milk protein concentrate

The effect of adding either skim milk or a commercial dry milk protein concentrate (MPC) to whole milk on the composition, yield, and functional properties of Mexican Oaxaca cheese were investigated. Five batches of Oaxaca cheeses were produced. One batch (the control) was produced from whole milk containing 3.5% fat and 9% nonfat solids (SNF). Two batches were produced from milk standardized with skim milk to 2.7 and 1.8% fat, maintaining the SNF content at 9%. In the other 2 batches, an MPC (40% protein content) was used to standardize the milk to a SNF content of 10 and 11%, maintaining the milk fat content at 3.5%. The use of either skim milk or MPC caused a significant decrease in the fat percentage in cheese. The use of skim milk or MPC showed a nonsignificant tendency to lower total solids and fat recoveries in cheese. Actual, dry matter, and moisture-adjusted cheese yields significantly decreased with skim milk addition, but increased with MPC addition. However, normalized yields adjusted to milk fat and protein reference levels did not show significant differences between treatments. Considering skim milk-added and control cheeses, actual yield increased with cheese milk fat content at a rate of 1.34 kg/kg of fat (R = 0.88). In addition, cheese milk fat and SNF:fat ratio proved to be strong individual predictors of cheese moisture-adjusted yield (r² ≈ 0.90). Taking into account the results obtained from control and MPC-added cheeses, a 2.0-kg cheese yield increase rate per kg of milk MPC protein was observed (R = 0.89), with TS and SNF being the strongest predictors for moisture adjusted yield (r² ≈ 0.77). Reduced-fat Oaxaca cheese functionality differed from that of controls. In unmelted reduced-fat cheeses, hardness and springiness increased. In melted reduced-fat cheeses, meltability and free oil increased, but stretchability decreased. These changes were related to differences in cheese composition, mainly fat in dry matter and calcium in SNF.     

Effect of pH on technological parameters and physicochemical and texture characteristics of the pasta filata cheese Telita

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of stretching pH on technological parameters and physicochemical and texture characteristics of the pasta filata cheese Telita. A no-brine cheese-making method was used to control both melting and stretching temperatures. Six vats of cheese, each with a different stretching pH (5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, and 5.7), were made in 2 h. Cheese-making was replicated using 2 different lots of milk. Differences in stretching pH significantly affected all variables evaluated; stretching temperature and pH were positively correlated. Technological parameters showed an inverse relationship between pH and acidity and a direct relationship between melting and stretching temperature. The yield was highest as the pH increased and ranged from 11.4 to 12.9 kg of cheese/100 kg of milk. Physicochemical characteristics showed the following: moisture 48.1 to 53.5% (soft and semi-hard cheese), fat 46.3 to 54.9% (dry basis, full-fat cheese), minerals 2.8 to 3.5% (dry basis), calcium content 0.5 to 1.0% (dry basis), sodium 0.38 to 0.78% (dry basis), and whiteness index 77.2 to 84.5. Texture parameters showed that as the stretching pH increased, hardness increased, adhesiveness decreased, cohesiveness decreased, springiness increased, and chewiness increased. Samples were grouped based on principal component analysis. Group 1 contained cheeses at pH 5.2 and 5.3 and were better in terms of retention of components. Group 2 contained cheeses at pH 5.6 and 5.7. These cheeses attained the highest yields, were whitest, and presented the highest values for texture parameters except for adhesiveness and cohesiveness. The third group of cheeses at pH 5.4 and 5.5 were considered the best because they showed a good balance among all variables evaluated.     

Chymosin-mediated proteolysis, calcium solubilization, and texture development during the ripening of cheddar cheese

Full fat, milled-curd Cheddar cheeses (2 kg) were manufactured with 0.0 (control), 0.1, 1.0, or 10.0 μmol of pepstatin (a potent competitive inhibitor of chymosin) added per liter of curds/whey mixture at the start of cooking to obtain residual chymosin levels that were 100, 89, 55, and 16% of the activity in the control cheese, respectively. The cheeses were ripened at 8°C for 180 d. There were no significant differences in the pH values of the cheeses; however, the moisture content of the cheeses decreased with increasing level of pepstatin addition. The levels of pH 4.6-soluble nitrogen in the 3 cheeses with added pepstatin were significantly lower than that of the control cheese at 1 d and throughout ripening. Densitometric analysis of urea-PAGE electro-phoretograms of the pH 4.6-insoluble fractions of the cheese made with 10.0 μmol/L of pepstatin showed complete inhibition of hydrolysis of α_S1-casein (CN) at Phe₂₃-Phe₂₄ at all stages of ripening. The level of insoluble calcium in each of 4 cheeses decreased significantly during the first 21 d of ripening, irrespective of the level of pepstatin addition. Concurrently, there was a significant reduction in hardness in each of the 4 cheeses during the first 21 d of ripening. The softening of texture was more highly correlated with the level of insoluble calcium than with the level of intact α_S1-CN in each of the 4 cheeses early in ripening. It is concluded that hydrolysis of α_S1-CN at Phe₂₃-Phe₂₄ is not a prerequisite for softening of Cheddar cheese during the early stages of ripening. We propose that this softening of texture is principally due to the partial solubilization of colloidal calcium phosphate associated with the para-CN matrix of the curd.     

Triacylglycerol composition of protected designation of origin cheeses during ripening. Authenticity of milk fat

Triacylglycerol (TAG) composition by carbon number in 2 protected designation of origin cheeses, Mahón (cheese from cow milk) and Manchego (cheese from ewe milk) that were manufactured by 3 different producers was analyzed during cheese ripening using gas chromatography with a short capillary column. The TAG composition at different times during cheese ripening was also analyzed in cheeses from different batches produced at the same plant. Lipolysis levels in the Mahón and Manchego cheeses during ripening were low; free fatty acid values ranged from 2,500 to 4,000 ppm at the end of ripening. The TAG composition did not change significantly during ripening. The TAG values obtained from each cheese sample were substituted into the multiple regression equations that have been proposed to detect foreign fats in milk fat. The values obtained using the equations for bovine (proposed by the European Union) and ovine milk (proposed by our laboratory) were within the normal range. Accordingly, these equations can be considered useful for detecting foreign fat in these cheeses during the ripening period contemplated during this study.     

Effect of type of concentrated sweet cream buttermilk on the manufacture, yield, and functionality of pizza cheese

Sweet cream buttermilk (SCB) is a rich source of phospholipids (PL). Most SCB is sold in a concentrated form. This study was conducted to determine if different concentration processes could affect the behavior of SCB as an ingredient in cheese. Sweet cream buttermilk was concentrated by 3 methods: cold ( < 7°C) UF, cold reverse osmosis (RO), and evaporation (EVAP). A washed, stirred-curd pizza cheese was manufactured using the 3 different types of concentrated SCB as an ingredient in standardized milk. Cheesemilks of casein:fat ratio of 1.0 and final casein content ∼2.7% were obtained by blending ultrafiltered (UF)-SCB retentate (19.9% solids), RO-SCB retentate (21.9% solids), or EVAP-SCB retentate (36.6% solids) with partially skimmed milk (11.2% solids) and cream (34.6% fat). Control milk (11.0% solids) was standardized by blending partially skimmed milk with cream. Cheese functionality was assessed using dynamic low-amplitude oscillatory rheology, UW Meltprofiler (degree of flow after heating to 60°C), and performance of cheese on pizza. Initial trials with SCB-fortified cheeses resulted in ∼4 to 5% higher moisture (51 to 52%) than control cheese (∼47%). In subsequent trials, procedures were altered to obtain similar moisture content in all cheeses. Fat recoveries were significantly lower in RO- and EVAP-SCB cheeses than in control or UF-SCB cheeses. Nitrogen recoveries were not significantly different but tended to be slightly lower in control cheeses than the various SCB cheeses. Total PL recovered in SCB cheeses (∼32 to 36%) were lower than control (∼41%), even though SCB is high in PL. From the rheology test, the loss tangent curves at temperatures > 40°C increased as cheese aged up to a month and were significantly lower in SCB cheeses than the control, indicating lower meltability. Degree of flow in all the cheeses was similar regardless of the treatment used, and as cheese ripened, it increased for all cheeses. Trichloroacetic acid-soluble N levels were similar in the control and SCB-fortified cheese. On baked pizza, cheese made from milk fortified with UF-SCB tended to have the lowest amount of free oil, but flavor attributes of all cheeses were similar. Addition of concentrated SCB to standardize cheesemilk for pizza cheese did not adversely affect functional properties of cheese but increased cheese moisture without changes in manufacturing procedure.