Abstract
Reconstituted skim milk with varying concentrations of total solids was coagulated using glucono-␦-lactone (GDL). Microscopic, turbidimetric and rheological procedures were used to examine mineral solubilization, buffering capacity, casein dissociation and micellar solvation during gelation. Total solids of the milk affected pH of the onset of gelation attributable to differences in colloı ¨dal calcium phosphate in the casein particles during acidification. Firmness and elasticity of the resulting gel increased with total solids from a more direct contribution of dry matter during the last stage of acid milk gel formation.