April 15/Food Business Week -- "This study evaluated the effect of pH on the microstructure of cream cheese and compared pH-induced changes in its microstructure with concomitant changes in cheese firmness and meltability. On four different days, experimental batches of cultured hot pack cream cheese were manufactured and analyzed for initial chemical composition," explain scientists in Campinas, Brazil.

"The cheeses were then sectioned into samples that were randomly assigned to seven different treatment groups. Three groups were exposed to ammonia vapor for 1, 3 and 5 minutes to increase the pH; three groups were exposed to acetic acid vapor for 30, 60 and 90 minutes to decrease the pH; and one unexposed group served as the control. After equilibration at 4 degrees C, samples were analyzed for pH, firmness, meltability and microstructure by scanning electron microscopy.

"The effects of experimental treatments on cheese pH, firmness and meltability were analyzed by randomized complete block analysis of variance (ANOVA). Relationships between cheese pH and firmness and meltability were evaluated by regression. Experimental treatments significantly affected cheese pH, firmness and meltability. Cheese firmness decreased, and meltability increased with increasing pH from about pH 4.2 to 6.8. Cheese microstructure also changed dramatically over the same approximate pH range. Specifically, the volume of the protein network surrounding the fat droplets increased markedly with increasing pH, presumably due to casein swelling," wrote R.R. Monteiro and colleagues, Campinas State University.

The researchers concluded, "These data support the hypothesis that protein-to-water interactions increased as the cheese pH increased, which gave rise to progressive swelling of the casein network, softer texture and increased meltability."

Monteiro and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Food Science ("Effect of pH on Microstructure and Characteristics of Cream Cheese." Journal of Food Science, 2009;74(2):C112-C117).

For additional information, contact R.R. Monteiro, Campinas State University, Dept. of Food Technology, Campinas, SP, Brazil.

From the April 27, 2009, Prepared Foods E-dition