Effect of mechanical treatments applied to milk fat on fat retention and lipolysis in minicurds

The aim of this work was to identify a treatment on milk fat, applicable to pretreat cheese milk, which could enhance lipolysis. Three factors were studied in milk fat mixtures: physical treatment (pumping and mechanical agitation), temperature (5, 15, and 45°C) and fat content (5%, 15%, and 30%). Damage to fat globule was estimated by assessing free fat and by phase contrast microscopy. Moderate damage was achieved in a mixture of 30% of fat, treated with mechanical agitation at 2800 rpm/2 min at 5°C. Applying this procedure to prepare minicurds did not modify values of fat content, moisture and lipolysis.