Chapter 30, Problem 1SA

What is the purpose of rennin in cheese-making?

Summary Introduction

To review:

The purpose of renin in the making of cheese.

Introduction:

Microorganisms such as bacteria are widely used at commercial scale for the production of food. In the dairy industry, lactic acid bacteria (their end product is lactic acid) are employed in order to make fermented milk products such as yogurt, cheese, and buttermilk. These food products are consumed by the people all over the world as they taste good and are also rich in nutrients.

Explanation of Solution

Cheese is one of the fermented milk product, which is made by the addition of lactic acid bacteria. The pasteurized milk is inoculated and incubated for its fermentation and coagulation of the milk proteins. Rennin is an enzyme that is a protease and coagulates the proteins. It is added during the cheese production in order to increase the rate of coagulation of the milk proteins, such as casein. The whey milk protein is then removed by curdling from the coagulated proteins becauseit is not needed for the production of cheese.

Conclusion

Therefore, the role of renin in the making of cheese is to enhance the rate of coagulation of the milk proteins and separate the solid proteins from that of the liquid.