| Abstract: | The effect of processing variables, such as total solids, atomization pressure and inlet drying air temperature, on the retention of free fatty acids (FFA) in Cheddar cheese during spray drying was investigated. A cheese homogenate was prepared with minimum heat treatment and spray dried at a feed temperature of approximately 43°C. The retention of FFA increased with molecular weight under all drying conditions. In the absence of emulsifying salts, a lower total solids content in the homogenate fed to the dryer increased the retention of FFA. For example, the maximum retention of butyric acid at 30% T.S. and at 4% T.S. was about 60% and 35%, respectively. In addition, higher atomization pressures and higher inlet drying air temperatures decreased the retention of FFA. Emulsifying salts were effective, especially at 40% T.S., in increasing the retention of FFA. These results could be predicted from the selective diffusion theory of the retention of volatile compounds. |
