Influence of sodium chloride on the proteolysis of casein by rennet and by pepsin

Abstract

Summary: 1. Proteolysis of β-casein by rennin and by pepsin was completely inhibited in the presence of 10% NaCl and was very significantly reduced by 5% NaCl. The rate of proteolysis of α_s-casein was maximal in the presence of 5–10% NaCl. 2. The inhibitory effect of NaCl on the proteolysis of β-casein was independent of pH and incubation temperature. 3. The effectiveness of NaCl in controlling the development of bitter flavour in Cheddar cheese may be due to its inhibitory effect on the proteolysis of β-casein. 4. Rennin hydrolysates of β-casein were bitter in flavour whereas those of α_s-casein were not.