Paneer is an indigenous milk product coagulated using heat and acid. It is very perishable, with a shelf life of 6 days at refrigeration temperature, although its quality is lost within three days due to spoilage by psychrotrophs, coliforms, yeasts, and moulds. The short shelf life of paneer has remained a main hurdle in its large-scale production and transportation to far-off places from the production plants. Paneer is a rich source of high-quality protein, minerals, fat and vitamins. The present study attempts to optimize the inclusion level of Whey Protein Concentrate - Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (WPC-NADES) used for edible coating for the shelf-life extension of paneer. NADES have been identified to possess outstanding antimicrobial activity and are chemically and thermally stable against a wide range of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms. Edible coating of paneer was done by dipping diced paneer cubes into a coating solution incorporating four different NADES solutions (Lactic acid: Fructose (LF); Lactic acid: Glucose (LG); Citric acid: Fructose (CF) and Citric acid: Glucose (CG))and whey protein concentrate (6, 8, 10, 12 and 14%) at 30 ± 1 for 10-15 min followed by drying. Response surface methodology (RSM) selected Lactic acid: Fructose (LF) NADES - 12% WPC coating as the optimized product based on the sensory score (texture, colour, and overall acceptability) for extending the shelf-life of paneer.

Paneer, Edible coatings, WPC, RSM, NADES

This study demonstrated that WPC-NADES-based edible coating doesn’t affect the sensory quality of paneer. Product with LF NADES and 12% WPC edible coating was optimized based on sensory scores of texture (8.625), colour (8.585) and overall acceptability (8.645). Minimum effects on sensory properties and high quality were provided by LF-12% WPC. The factorial models were found to be adequate, as there was no significant lack of fit in any of the response variables.

Nayuni Vandana, Esther Magdalene Sharon M., Sivakumar G.M. and Geetha P. (2022). Optimization of Whey Protein Concentrate-Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents Based Edible Coating of Paneer. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(4a): 551-558.