The microstructure and textural properties of Australian cream cheese with differing composition

Abstract

Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to compare the microstructure of six Australian commercial cream cheese products. The optimal conditions for cryo scanning electron microscopy (cryo SEM) analysis of cream cheese microstructure were also examined. These complementary techniques revealed a typical cream cheese microstructure of homogenised fat globules embedded in a non-continuous protein network. The association between fat and protein within the microstructure was influenced by product composition (fat:protein ratio, moisture content) and ingredients. The addition of emulsifier led to a softer product with distinct microstructure. Cryo SEM also revealed a “honeycomb”-like structur..