RESEARCH PROJECTS
1 Cutting Time Prediction in Enzymatic Coagulation
of Milk
2 Endpoint Prediction in Acid Coagulation of Milk
3 Curd Syneresis Optical Sensor Technology
5 Total Milk-Clotting Activity Measurement
Apparatus
IDF Standard 157: 2007/ISO 11815 is the current standard method for bovine rennets and measures milk-clotting activity by visually determining the Berridge clotting time (i.e., time of appearance of flocks of renneted standard milk substrate on the wall of a rotating test tube). The IDF Standard 157: 2007 method is somewhat subjective because it depends on an operator's skill to consistently identify milk flocculation.
An optical method based on changes in infrared light backscatter at 880 nm during milk coagulation is proposed as an alternative, objective method to Berridge clotting time to eliminate the operator's subjectivity from the IDF Standard 157: 2007. The total milk-clotting activity, expressed in International Milk-clotting Units per mL of enzyme (IMCU/mL), was calculated using Berridge clotting time and optical time parameters. The calculated total milk-clotting activity was compared statistically to determine differences between measurement methods.