Mechanism of aggregation of casein micelles in rennet-treated milk

Abstract

SummaryThe frequency distribution of aggregates of casein micelles was determined inelectron micrographs of rennet-treated skim-milk. The average degree of aggregation was constant until after 60% of the coagulation time, then increased linearly to 100% of the coagulation time and subsequently rose more slowly. The observations indicated that the rate of aggregation of casein micelles was determined by the random collision of particles, with no preference for the formation or reaction of aggregates of any particular size. The linking together of micelles was not rate-determining.