The objective of this research was to study the effect of the following modifications on the traditional manufacturing process of Prato cheese: use of milk concentrated by ultrafiltration (LCUF) up to a VCF=4:1; partial LCUF pre-fermentation; indirect curd cooking; on yield-(R), adjusted yield (RAJ) and fat (RGq) and protein (RPq) recovery on cheese, and comparison of the results with a standard cheese. Three processings with five treatments each were realized, respectively: treatment 1-(T1), without ultrafiltration; Treatment 2-(T2), ultrafiltration without LCUF pre-fermentation; Treatment 3-(T3), 10% LCUF pre-fermentation; Treatment 4-(T4), 20% LCUF pre-fermentation and direct curd heating; Treatment 5-(T5), 20% LCUF pre-fermentation and the only one indirect curd heating. It was realized composition, yield, and component recovery for all five treatments, and the results statistically evaluated. Treatments T2, T3, T4, and T5 presented lower values for R, RAJ and RGq, however, the pre-fermentation with indirect curd cooking presented a tendency of better values for RGq and RAJ. Lower yields and RGs possibly resulted from the fibrous structure presented by these curds as well as due to the difficulty on cutting and handling them.
Prato cheese; ultrafiltration; pre-fermentation; cooking; yield
