The current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the addition of selected hydrocolloids [agar (AG), κ-carrageenan (KC), or gelatin (PG); as a total replacement for emulsifying salts] on the viscoelastic properties and microstructure of processed cheese (PC) samples during a storage period of 60 days (at 6 ± 2 °C). In general, PC viscoelastic properties and microstructure were affected by the addition of hydrocolloids and the length of storage time. The evaluated PC reported a more elastic behavior (G′ > G″) over the viscous one. The highest values of viscoelastic moduli (G′; G″; G*) were recorded for PC samples manufactured with KC addition, followed by those prepared with AG and PG. The control sample presented values of viscoelastic moduli similar to those of the PG sample. All PC samples tested had fat globule size values lower than 1 μm. Moreover, PC with AG and KG addition presented similar microstructures and sizes of fat globules.
Keywords: hydrocolloids; microstructure; processed cheese; rheology; storage time.