Abstrakt
The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of whey protein isolate (WPI) and polymerised whey
protein isolate (WPP) addition on physicochemical properties of processed cheese with partial fat replacement. Surface properties were determined by advancing (ha) and receding (hr) contact angles, apparent
free surface energy (cs). Roughness measurements, cheese meltability and Turbiscan Stability Index (TSI)
were evaluated by Turbiscan. Higher WPP concentrations produced the more hydrophobic surfaces of the
samples. Conversely, increase in WPI addition promoted the hydrophilic cheese surfaces. The effect of
roughness was much larger for samples containing WPI. The increase in protein addition caused a
decrease in meltability and an increase in stability of cheeses. The optical and confocal images have
proved that cheeses with WPP demonstrated more packed and denser structure in comparison to samples
with WPI.