Model for changes in weight and dry matter during the ripening of a smear soft cheese under controlled temperature and relative humidity

A model predicting the weight loss and the dry matter increase in the core and in the rind of a French smear soft cheese (Munster type) has been developed. Experimental data were collected from experiments carried out in an aseptic pilot scale ripening chamber under nine different combinations of temperature (8, 12 and 16 °C) and of relative humidity (85%, 93% and 99%) according to a complete experimental design. For each run 16 samples were analysed at various ripening stages. The model took into account the water loss by evaporation, the water transfer from the core to the surface and the mass loss due to the CO2 release. The cheese weight loss was more influenced by the relative humidity than by the temperature. The model was able to account for the experimental weight loss as well as the rind and the core dry matter, with accuracy acceptable for practical use.