The effects of lipase-encapsulating carriers on the accelerated ripening of Kashar cheese

In this study, lipase enzymes were encapsulated in ?-carragenan, gellan and sodium alginate using emulsion and extrusion techniques and were then added to cheese milk together with rennet. The effects of the encapsulating material and ripening period on the chemical, textural and sensory characteristics of Kashar cheese were investigated. The study demonstrated that sodium alginate, gellan and ?-carrageenan could successfully be used as lipase carrier systems to accelerate the fat breakdown process during the ripening of Kashar cheese. Those samples treated with ?-carrageenan capsules showed the highest rate of lipolysis and proteolysis compared to those treated with the other capsules.