Production of the processed cheese containing tomato powder and evaluation of its rheological, chemical and sensory characteristics.

The fortification of the processed cheese (PC) with bioactive compounds can increase their benefits for the health and also consumer acceptance. In the present study, rheological, chemical and sensory characteristics of the processed cheese containing different quantities of tomato powder (0%, 1%, 2% and 4% wt/wt) with the appropriate levels of bioactive components were evaluated during 90 days of storage. The results showed that the PC samples containing tomato powder (PCTs) had higher levels of proteolysis extent, phenolic and lycopene contents and antioxidant activity. However, the PCTs had lower levels of pH and lipolysis indexes. Generally, lycopene and phenolic contents and antioxidant activity decreased and pH, proteolysis and lipolysis index increased during storage. The results obtained from the frequency sweep test and temperature sweep test, indicated that, the samples had solid-type structure and tomato powder decreased the solid like behavior of the PC (G' > G″). Sensory analysis showed that the processed cheese with the average level of tomato powder (2%) had maximum scores of flavor, color and total acceptance and also the PCTs were significantly (P < 0.05) less rigid and more spreadable than the control PC and these findings were according to the achievements obtained by dynamic oscillation rheometry. Finally overall results indicated that tomato powder could be helpful for the manufacturing of new product with different functional and sensory specifications.