Luisa Wolker Fava

Evaluation of physico-chemical characteristics of fresh, refrigerated and frozen Lacaune ewes' milk

The production of ewe milk is seasonal and milk yield per animal is low, even in specialized animals. This study aimed to verify the possibility of preserving bulk tank milk for seven days under cooling (5°C) and freezing (-5°C), verify the influence of cooling treatments and of the months of the year on the physical and chemical characteristics of the product. The chemical composition of milk, including the fat, protein, lactose and total solids contents, was not altered by cooling and freezing. Protein and lactose contents varied according to the months of the year. The average percentage and standard deviation of fat, protein, lactose and total solids was 8.10±1.30, 5.22±0.37, 4.43±0.23 and 19.34±1.54, respectively. The density, pH, titratable acidity, as well as alcohol and heat stability tests were significantly influenced by the treatments used (P < 0.05), but no differences were found between fresh and frozen milk. Prolonged refrigeration caused an increase in acidity and decrease in pH, with a consequent reduction in the stability of milk. These results demonstrated that freezing does not affect the chemical composition and physical characteristics of milk in nature and it could be a solution for the producer and the sheep milk industry.

Rendimento de coalhada obtida a partir de leite fresco, resfriado e congelado de ovelhas da raça Lacaune e caracterização física do soro obtido

Milk composition that can be affected by cooling or freezing is crucial for the performance of chesese making, and it is an important parameter in economic terms. The objective of this study was to evaluate, during 7 days, the effect of milk cooling and freezing on the yield of the curd produced with the sheep milk and on the physical characteristics of the obtained whey. Between January and December 2011 samples of the sheep milk were collected every month, directly from the bulk tanks. A part of it was subject to analysis in the same day, and the rest was stored for up to 7 days. One of the samples was kept under refrigeration (5°C - cooled milk) and another was kept in a domestic freezer (-4°C - frozen milk). The yield and density of the curd, pH and titratable acidity of the obtained whey was determined. The treatment applied showed a significant difference (P<0.05) in the yield of the curd, whereas the yield obtained with the cooled milk (3.64±0.34L kg-1) and the frozen milk (3.18±0.23L kg-1) showed no differences with the fresh milk (3.38±0.22 L kg-1), but these treatments were not the same. The average density of the obtained whey (1.025g mL-1) did not present differences between the applied treatments. The whey pH and titratable acidity were similar in both fresh and frozen milk treatments, but there was a difference (P<0.05) with the cooled milk, which had a higher acidity. Even though the whey of the curb obtained from the cooled milk is more acid, the cooling and freezing of the sheep milk, for a period of 7 days, do not affect the yield in cheese making, and the obtained whey does not present density differences between the applied treatments.