Chicken Pepsin and Rennet Gels: Internal Bonds, Rheology and Microstructure

The internal bonds created in milk gelation with chicken pepsin were approached by the use of dissociating agents-sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), urea, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and compared to those with rennet gel. Gels viscoelasticity aspects and microstructure were studied using rheological dynamic non-destructive measurements and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) respectively. Results showed that no significant differences (p>0.05) in protein interactions between the two types of gel, with hydrophobic binding dominance in protein gelation. Viscoelasticity and microstructure also showed a similarity in the viscoelastic properties and in milk aggregation micelles mode, obtained by chicken pepsin or rennet.