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Microstructure of paneer prepared by automated pressing technique
Author(s) -
Sinha Chitranayak,
Sinha Pushpanayak,
Kumari Khushbu,
Kumar Mahesh,
Dabas Jitender Kumar
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of food process engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.507
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1745-4530
pISSN - 0145-8876
DOI - 10.1111/jfpe.13786
Subject(s) - microstructure , pressing , porosity , materials science , scanning electron microscope , hot pressing , composite material
In this study, paneer was prepared by conventional method as well as by employing an automated pressing equipment and microstructure of paneer samples was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Further, pneumatic pressing of the hot coagulum was carried out at different pressures (2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 kg cm −2 ) and time durations (10, 12.5, and 15 min) using a semi‐automated microprocessor based pneumatic pressing unit. It was found that the microstructure of paneer comprised mainly of continuous medium of casein matrix in which micro‐pores were distributed. However, differences were observed in the way the curd particles were fused during the pressing process of paneer manufacture. Paneer obtained from the automated press was found to possess more uniformity than the one prepared by conventional method. This was attributed to more uniform pressure applied by the automated technique. Further, porosity values were correlated with the openness observed in the microstructure of paneer. It was found that at an optimized pressure and time combination, paneer had a more uniform structure along with porosity than conventionally made one. The dependence of the paneer properties on the pressure and pressing time was well fitted to polynomial quadratic model which showed influence of pressure applied is greater than the time of pressing. Practical Applications The SEM imaging of paneer prepared by automated pneumatic pressing based technique could be very useful in analyzing the microstructure which influences the texture and amount of water retention. Small to medium scale paneer manufacturers could very well utilize the automated pneumatic pressing technique to produce paneer of optimum texture and adequate amount of moisture. Paneer manufacturers of small to medium scale could very well utilize this pressing technique to increase their income at farm level.