Casein fractions and their breakdown products in Iberico-type cheeses
made from the milk of cows, ewes or goats were analysed by capillary electrophoresis
in order to characterize them. The actions of plasmin and chymosin on caseins were
evaluated by comparing the electropherograms of caseins from milk and from cheese,
both with and without treatment with plasmin. Characteristic capillary electrophoresis
patterns were obtained for cheeses made from the milk of each of the three
species, and the main components were identified. Caprine para-κ-casein and bovine
β-caseins, eluting at the first and at the last part of the electropherogram
respectively, were found to be indicative of the presence of the milks of these species.