Effect of calcium on the minerals retention and cheesemaking parameters of milk

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of calcium on minerals retention and cheesemaking parameters of milk during manufacture of a model soft cheese. Several batches of both reconstituted skim milk containing 9, 12 and 15% (w/v) and whole milk with 12, 15 and 18% (w/v) of total solids were used to prepare a soft 'stretchable' cheese of the mozzarella type. A small amount of added calcium (0.14 mM) influenced the level of minerals and some of the measured cheesemaking parameters (clotting time, weight of whey, protein and fat recovery), but the efficiency of the cheesemaking process was lower than would be expected in commercial terms .