TEXTURAL AND MICROSTRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF RENNET-INDUCED MILK COAGULUM AS AFFECTED BY THE ADDITION OF SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE

The effect of the addition of soy protein on the textural properties and microstructure of reconstituted nonfat dry milk coagulum with time after rennet addition was studied using an Instron Universal testing machine with a newly developed test cell, and by scanning electron microscopy. Soy protein added to reconstituted nonfat dry milk at 5% of the total solids resulted in a reduction in firmness, a decrease in syneresis and a looser microstructure of the coagulum at any given time up to two hours after rennet addition as compared to the control without added soy protein. An increase in the level of soy protein to 10 and 20% of the total solids resulted in a further reduction in coagulum firmness and in syneresis. Syneresis was also followed during changes in coagulum firmness. Analysis of the textural as well as microstructural data suggests that changes in coagulum firmness and syneresis of rennet-induced milk coagulums (with or without added soy protein) with time after rennet addition were associated with the extent to which casein micelles coalesced during coagulum formation. The Instron test and the syneresis test developed in this study were simple and practical.