The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality characteristics of string cheese with different concentrations (0, 1, and 2%) of barley sprout (Hordeum vulgare L.) powder. The pH of barley sprout string cheese (6.26) was significantly lower compared to that of the control (6.46). Chromaticity tended to decrease with increasing amounts of barley sprout powder in terms of L* (lightness) and a* (redness), whereas b* (yellowness) tended to increase. In the texture profile analysis, string cheese prepared with barley sprout powder showed higher values of hardness, gumminess, and chewiness but lower value of cohesiveness. The string cheese prepared with barley sprout powder also showed higher values for total amino acids and stretchability. Total polyphenol contents of string cheese showed the highest value when barley sprout powder was 2%. Therefore, addition of barley sprout powder to string cheese can be valuable for improving quality of string cheese.

Keywords: barley sprouts, string cheese, quality characteristics, texture