Comparative assessment of the nutritional contents and sensory evaluation of cheese produced from cow and sheep milk using local coagulants

The objectives of this study was to comparatively assess the dry matter, nutritive value and sensory properties of cheese produced from cow and sheep milk using three different local coagulants of plant origin: Calotropis procera leaf extract, Carica papaya leaf extract and lemon fruit juice. The following proximate and mineral compositions were assayed: dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, ash, carbohydrates, magnesium, copper, potassium, iron, zinc, calcium. Relative to that made with Calotropis procera and Carica papaya, cheese made with lemon juice was harder, less cohesive and gave a higher significant value (P 0.05) overall acceptability (5.77). This study suggests that sheep milk and Carica papaya leaf extract have the potential to compete favourably well with the commonly used cow milk and Calotropis procera leaf extract.