Analysis by fast protein liquid chromatography of variants of κ-casein and their relevance to micellar structure and renneting

Abstract

SUMMARY: Fast protein liquid chromatography was used to study the κ-casein fraction of casein micelles from bulk milk and from milk from individual animals homozygous for κ-caseins A and B. The extent of glycosylation of the κ-casein appeared to have no effect on its distribution in casein micelles of different sizes, nor did it affect the rate at which κ-casein was destroyed during renneting. The rate of breakdown of κ-casein during renneting was also almost independent of micellar size. The results may indicate a difference between methods which analyse for intact κ-casein or for the product macropeptide during renneting.