Factor analysis as a tool to estimate association among individual proteins and other milk components with casein micelle size and cheese yield

ABSTRACT The present study attempted to identify individual milk proteins and other milk components that are associated with casein micelle size (CMS) and dry matter cheese yield (DMCY) using factor analysis. Here, we used 140 bulk tank milk samples from different farms. Milk composition was determined using a Fourier transform infrared equipament. The individual milk proteins were (αS-casein, β-casein, κ-casein, β-lactoglobulin and α-lactoalbumin) measured by their electrophoretic profile. The CMS was estimated by photon correlation spectroscopy, and the DMCY was determined using reduced laboratory-scale cheese production. Factor analysis partitioned the milk components into three groups that, taken together, explain 68.3% of the total variance. The first factor was defined as “CMS”, while the second as “DMCY” factor, based on their high loadings. The CMS was positively correlated with protein, casein, non-fat solids and αS-casein and negatively associated with κ-casein and β-lactoglubulin. DMCY was positively correlated with fat, protein, casein, total solids and negatively correlated with αs-casein. These results indicate that the variation of individual milk proteins may be an important aspect correlated to milk quality and cheese production.