QUALITY OF COFFEE CREAMERS AS A FUNCTION OF PROTEIN SOURCE

Many U.S. consumers add a sweetener or creaming agent to their brewed coffee. An ideal creamer, when added to coffee, should remain stable, dissolve readily, and provide whitening ability. In general, these properties are imparted by the protein component. Four different proteins – sodium caseinate, isolated wheat protein, soy protein isolate and whey protein concentrate – were used to formulate coffee creamers, individually and in combination, and the resultant creamers were evaluated for functionality. Coffee creamers containing plant proteins had significantly greater apparent viscosity but lower L* values than did creamers made with dairy proteins. Creamers made with higher concentrations of isolated wheat protein exhibited syneresis, whereas no syneresis occurred if sodium caseinate was the predominant protein. Only the creamer formulated with soy protein isolate alone exhibited feathering when added to hot, brewed coffee. These results indicate that coffee creamers can be formulated with plant proteins and sodium caseinate.     

Small and large deformation rheology and microstructure of κ-carrageenan gels containing commercial milk protein products

The rheological behaviour of commercial milk protein/κ-carrageenan mixtures in aqueous solutions was studied at neutral pH. Four milk protein ingredients; skim milk powder, milk protein concentrate, sodium caseinate, and whey protein isolate were considered. As seen by confocal laser microscopy, mixtures of κ-carrageenan with skim milk powder, milk protein concentrate, and sodium caseinate showed phase separation, but no phase separation was observed in mixtures containing whey protein isolate. For κ-carrageenan concentrations up to 0.5 wt%, the viscosity of the mixtures at low shear rates increased markedly in the case of skim milk powder and milk protein concentrate addition, but did not change by the addition of sodium caseinate or whey protein isolate. For κ-carrageenan concentrations from 1 to 2.5 wt%, small and large deformation rheological measurements, performed on the milk protein/κ-carrageenan gels, showed that skim milk powder, milk protein concentrate or sodium caseinate markedly improved the strength of the resulting gels, but whey protein isolate had no effect on the gel stength.     

Viscosity,microstructure and phase behavior of aqueous mixtures of commercial milk protein products and xanthan gum

The behavior of commercial milk protein/xanthan mixtures was studied at neutral pH. Four milk protein ingredients; skim milk powder, milk protein concentrate, sodium caseinate and whey protein isolate were considered. For the xanthan concentrations used, up to 1wt%, the viscosity of the mixtures was dominated by the viscosity of xanthan. Mixtures of xanthan with skim milk powder or milk protein concentrate showed phase separation, as seen by confocal micrographs, and phase diagrams have been established for these two systems. No visible phase separation was observed in the case of mixtures of sodium caseinate or whey protein isolate systems. However, mixtures of sodium caseinate and xanthan, under certain conditions, showed formation of ‘thread-like’ xanthan-rich regions by confocal microscopy. We believe that the phase separation occurring in milk protein concentrate/xanthan or skim milk powder/xanthan mixtures was a result of depletion flocculation of casein micelles by the xanthan macromolecules, but thermodynamic incompatibility was likely to occur in sodium caseinate/xanthan mixtures.     

Incorporation of dairy ingredients into wheat bread: effects on dough rheology and bread quality

 Dairy ingredients are used in breadmaking for their nutritional benefits and functional properties. The effects of the traditionally-used whole and skimmed milk powder, sodium caseinate, casein hydrolysate and three whey protein concentrates on dough rheology and bread quality were studied. Whole and skimmed milk powders improved sensory characteristics. Sodium caseinate and hydrolysed casein displayed beneficial functional properties in breadmaking including low proof time, high volume and low firmness. Both ingredients increased dough height measured with the rheofermentometer. Bread with 2% or 4% sodium caseinate added was rated highly in sensory evaluation. Incorporation of whey protein concentrates generally increased proof time, decreased loaf volume and decreased dough height measured with the rheofermentometer. Received: 6 April 1999 / Revised version: 13 July 1999     

THERMO-RHEOLOGY,QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS,AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF FRANKFURTERS PREPARED WITH SELECTED PLANT AND MILK ADDITIVES1

The purpose of this study was to evaluate substitution of nonmeat proteins for meat protein on the thermo-rheology, quality characteristics, and microstructure of frankfurters. Batters were formulated to contain either 2% sodium caseinate or soy protein isolate, or 3.5% whey protein concentrate or wheat germ flour. The storage modulus (G') of all treatments initially decreased during temperature ramping from 20–50C, then increased rapidly from 60–80C, with all-meat batter exhibiting the highest G' at 80C. Substitution with nonmeat proteins decreased G', shear force, compression force, and red color of meat compared with all-meat frankfurters. Increased protein content, cooking yield, and decreased fat content were obtained with nonmeat protein formulations. Electron micrographs showed that nonmeat proteins were able to bind to the meat protein and fat, forming a protein-fat matrix with less coalescence of fat droplets. Sodium caseinate, soy protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, and wheat germ flour can be used as protein additives in comminuted meat products without adversely affecting their physical characteristics.     

A non-invasive method for the characterisation of milk protein foams by image analysis

An apparatus for the investigation of milk protein foams was introduced based on three jacket columns and exclusively image analysis. The method had a repetition coefficient <10%, and offered a high sample throughput and an expandable design. Sodium caseinate, micellar casein concentrate, whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate foams were analysed as an application. Foaming properties depended on the protein, the composition of the preparations and the foaming conditions, e.g., stable foams at 20 °C were observed for micellar casein, while sodium caseinate showed a half-life of 22 min. At 50 °C, the stability of sodium caseinate decreased by about 70%. Additionally, a direct link between the foaming properties of sodium caseinate and its degree of enzymatic hydrolysis was found. No changes in foaming properties using Alcalase^® 2.5L occurred up to a degree of hydrolysis of about 3%, while higher degrees of hydrolysis led to decreased foaming properties.     

Effect of Transglutaminase on Physicochemical Properties of Set-style Yogurt

In this study, the effect of some ingredients such as skimmed milk powder, whey, sodium caseinate, calcium caseinate, whey protein concentrate (35, 60 kg/100 kg dry solids), whole milk powder, condensed milk and transglutaminase (TGase) on the properties of set-style yogurt was investigated. These protein and dry matter sources (2%) and TGase (1 U/g milk protein) were added into pasteurized milk and incubated prior to fermentation for 2 h at 40°C. After fermentation, enzyme action was stopped by heating for 1 min at 80°C. The control groups were conducted with addition of these materials into milk without TGase. All of the milk samples were inoculated with yogurt cultures at 45°C, until the pH was dropped to 4.4. Syneresis, gel-strength, acetaldehyde amounts, and the degree of TGase reaction were determined. As a result, yogurt products made from enzyme-treated milk showed increased gel strength and less syneresis. SDS-PAGE results showed that the enzyme TGase produced crosslink formation between different protein fractions of milk. In addition, it was also determined that TGase application caused a decrease in acetaldehyde amounts.     

Gastric digestion of milk protein ingredients: Study using an in vitro dynamic model

The coagulation behavior and the kinetics of protein hydrolysis of skim milk powder, milk protein concentrate (MPC), calcium-depleted MPC, sodium caseinate, whey protein isolate (WPI), and heated (90°C, 20 min) WPI under gastric conditions were examined using an advanced dynamic digestion model (i.e., a human gastric simulator). During gastric digestion, these protein ingredients exhibited various pH profiles as a function of the digestion time. Skim milk powder and MPC, which contained casein micelles, formed cohesive, ball-like curds with a dense structure after 10 min of digestion; these curds did not disintegrate over 220 min of digestion. Partly calcium-depleted MPC and sodium caseinate, which lacked an intact casein micellar structure, formed curds at approximately 40 min, and a loose, fragmented curd structure was observed after 220 min of digestion. In contrast, no curds were formed in either WPI or heated WPI after 220 min of digestion. In addition, the hydrolysis rates and the compositions of the digesta released from the human gastric simulator were different for the various protein ingredients, as detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE. Skim milk powder and MPC exhibited slower hydrolysis rates than calcium-depleted MPC and sodium caseinate. The most rapid hydrolysis occurred in the WPI (with and without heating). This was attributed to the formation of different structured curds under gastric conditions. The results offer novel insights about the coagulation kinetics of proteins from different milk protein ingredients, highlighting the critical role of the food matrix in affecting the course of protein digestion.     

Milk Protein-based Edible Film Mechanical Strength Changes due to Ultrasound Process

The effects of ultrasound frequency, acoustic power, and exposure time on the functional properties of whey protein concentrate and sodium caseinate films were examined. Average tensile strength of the ultrasound treated caseinate films was 224% higher than that of the control. The ultrasonic process was more effective on sodium caseinate than whey protein concentrate film. Resistance to puncture was improved for both types of films treated at an acoustic power of 5.22W. Increased exposure time resulted in stronger films. Elongation at break, water vapor permeability, and moisture content of films were not affected by the treatment. Ultrasound showed potential for improving mechanical strengths of milk protein films.     

Emulsification of Commercial Dairy Proteins with Exhaustively Washed Muscle

The addition of dairy proteins to exhaustively washed chicken breast muscle improved the emulsion stability in heated cream layers (emulsions) containing whey protein concentrate (WPC) or whey protein isolate (WPI). The initial weight of the heated cream layers made with WPC or WPI was heavier than those for sodium caseinate (CNate) or milk protein isolate (MPI). The addition of CNate or MPI resulted in decreased emulsion stability and increased inhibition of myosin heavy chain and actin participation in the emulsion formation compared to WPC or WPI.     

Interfacial composition and stability of emulsions made with mixtures of commercial sodium caseinate and whey protein concentrate

The interfacial composition and the stability of oil-in-water emulsion droplets (30% soya oil, pH 7.0) made with mixtures of sodium caseinate and whey protein concentrate (WPC) (1:1 by protein weight) at various total protein concentrations were examined. The average volume-surface diameter (d₃₂) and the total surface protein concentration of emulsion droplets were similar to those of emulsions made with both sodium caseinate alone and WPC alone. Whey proteins were adsorbed in preference to caseins at low protein concentrations (<3%), whereas caseins were adsorbed in preference to whey proteins at high protein concentrations. The creaming stability of the emulsions decreased markedly as the total protein concentration of the system was increased above 2% (sodium caseinate >1%). This was attributed to depletion flocculation caused by the sodium caseinate in these emulsions. Whey proteins did not retard this instability in the emulsions made with mixtures of sodium caseinate and WPC.     

Maximizing the value of milk through separation technologies.

Milk is the source of a wide range of proteins that deliver nutrition to the most promising new food products today. Isolated milk proteins are natural, trusted food ingredients with excellent functionality. Separation technologies provide the basis for adding value to milk through the production of proteins that provide the food industry with ingredients to meet specific needs, not possible with milk itself or with other ingredients. The major milk proteins, casein and whey protein, can be isolated by manipulating their compositional and physical properties and then by using various separation technologies to recover the proteins. Additionally, they can be processed in various ways to create a wide range of ingredients with diverse functional characteristics. These ingredients include milk protein concentrate, milk protein isolate, casein, caseinate, whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, hydrolysates, and various milk fractions. Within each of these ingredient categories, there is further differentiation according to the functional and nutritional requirements of the finished food. Adding value to milk by expanding from consumer products to ingredients often requires different technologies, marketing structure and distribution channels. The worldwide market for both consumer products and ingredients from milk continues to grow. Technology often precedes market demand. Methods for the commercial production of individual milk components now exist, and in the future as clinical evidence develops, the opportunity for adding value to dairy products as functional foods with health benefits may be achieved. The research and development of today will be the basis of those value-added milk products for tomorrow.     

Plasmin activity and proteolysis in milk protein ingredients

Despite the widespread use of milk protein ingredients and the well-known detrimental effects of plasmin-induced casein hydrolysis on product flavour and stability, little research has been carried out on the occurrence and activity of plasmin in milk protein ingredients. In this study, 19 sodium caseinate (NaCas), 13 calcium caseinate (CaCas), 2 micellar casein isolate (MCI) and 14 milk protein concentrate (MPC) samples were studied for plasmin and plasminogen-derived activity and proteolysis after reconstitution. Results indicated a higher occurrence and activity of plasmin in MPC and MCI than in NaCas and CaCas. During storage, activation of plasminogen to plasmin and autolysis of plasmin were observed. Furthermore, extensive plasmin-induced casein hydrolysis was observed. The specificity of casein hydrolysis was similar in all samples and proteolysis per unit plasmin activity was most extensive in MPC. These results indicate that residual plasmin activity should be a factor of consideration in milk protein ingredient selection.     

Use of dairy proteins in lean poultry meat batters – a comparative study

The use of dry whole milk, skimmed milk, caseinate, regular and modified whey, at 2% level (w/w) and with 2% additional protein level was studied in a chicken breast meat system with 51% water addition. At the 2% (w/w) level, all dairy proteins significantly reduced cooking loss compared with the control, with caseinate showing the best results. When compared on an equal protein level (2% total protein), the best performing ingredients were the whole milk and modified whey. A similar observation was made in their effect on the products’ hardness and fracturability. A cost analysis revealed that modified whey provided the most economical ingredient even when used in quantities three times greater than that of as caseinate. Microscopy results showed the formation of larger fine‐protein‐matrix regions in the treatments that provided higher fracturability values.     

Preliminary observations on the effects of milk fortification and heating on microstructure and physical properties of stirred yogurt

The aim of this work was to study how milk fortification and heating affect yogurt microstructure (micellar characteristics, protein network) and physical properties (viscosity, water-holding capacity (WHC), and graininess). Milk was fortified with skim milk powder (control), whey protein concentrate (WPC), caseinate, or a mixture of caseinate and whey protein. Two heat treatments were applied, giving average whey protein denaturation levels of 58% and 77%. For caseinate-enriched yogurts, the heating effect was negligible. When milk was enriched with WPC, heating led to a high level of cross-linking within the gel network. Heating increased yogurt viscosity and WHC, but also graininess. When milk was fortified with a blend of WPC and caseinate giving a whey protein-to-casein ratio of 0.20, the yogurt viscosity was greatly improved, while graininess was kept low. The results show a relationship between micelle solvation and yogurt microstructure, as well as micelle size in milk base and yogurt graininess.     

Physicochemical properties and issues associated with trypsin hydrolyses of bovine casein-dominant protein ingredients

Milk protein concentrate (MPC) and sodium caseinate (NaCas) were hydrolysed using the enzyme trypsin and the subsequent physical properties of the two ingredients were examined. Trypsin hydrolysis was carried out at pH 7 and at 45 °C on 11.1% (w/w) protein solutions. Heat inactivation of trypsin was carried out when the degree of hydrolysis reached either 10 or 15%. Size-exclusion chromatography and electrophoresis confirmed a significant reduction in protein molecular weight in both ingredients. However, whey proteins in MPC were more resistant to trypsin hydrolysis than casein. Oil-in-water emulsions were prepared using intact or hydrolysed protein, maltodextrin, and sunflower oil. Protein hydrolysis had a negative effect on the subsequent physical properties of emulsions, compared with non-hydrolysed proteins, with a larger particle size (only for NaCas stabilised emulsions), faster creaming rate, lower heat stability, and increased sedimentation observed in hydrolysed protein emulsions.     

Effects of varying time/temperature-conditions of pre-heating and enzymatic cross-linking on techno-functional properties of reconstituted dairy ingredients

The effects of varying time/temperature-conditions of pre-heating and cross-linking with transglutaminase (TG) on the functional properties of reconstituted products from skim milk, WPC and sodium caseinate was analyzed. The degree of cross-linking (DC) of skim milk proteins could be increased from 54.4% to 70.5% by varying process conditions. Thereby the water-holding capacity (WHC) increased from 10% to 20%, while the heat stability decreased. The burning-on was lower than that of the non-treated products at optimum pre-heating conditions (90 °C/30 s). Using sodium caseinate as substrate for TG the DC increased from 39.2% to 100% due to the improvement of the process. As a result the WHC increased by 30% and the heat stability up to 380%. However, the burning-on of casein increased as well. TG-treated sodium caseinate started to gel at 10% protein, whereas untreated sodium caseinate gelled not before 15% protein. The WHC of enzyme-treated whey proteins was lowered. The heat stability of WPC could be doubled by TG-treatment, and the burning-on of the products was, especially at optimum pre-heating conditions, less pronounced. The degree of denaturation of TG-treated whey proteins was 2–5% higher than that of untreated samples.     

Effects of branched-chain amino acids and sodium caseinate on milk protein concentration and yield from dairy cows

Our study investigated the separate and combined effects of branched-chain amino acids (AA) and sodium caseinate on milk protein concentration and yield. Four Holstein cows (112 d in milk) were abomasally infused with water, branched-chain AA (150 g/d), sodium caseinate (600 g/d), or branched-chain AA plus sodium caseinate (44 and 600 g/d, respectively) according to a 4 x 4 Latin square design with 8-d treatment periods. Cows were fed a dry diet based on alfalfa hay and concentrates for ad libitum intake. The ration was formulated to exceed requirements for metabolizable energy and protein using the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System. Neither daily dry matter intake (24.2 +/- 0.4 kg/d; X +/- SEM) nor milk yield (32.9 +/-; 0.4 kg/d) was affected by any of the infusion treatments. Infusion of branched-chain AA had no effect on any milk production parameters, despite a 50% increase in their concentrations. Modest increases in milk protein concentration (0.1%) and milk protein yield (62 g/d) resulted from the infusion of sodium caseinate or branched-chain AA plus sodium caseinate. True protein and whey protein concentrations in milk were also marginally increased by infusion of sodium caseinate and branched-chain AA plus sodium caseinate, and infusion of branched-chain AA, sodium caseinate, or both elevated milk nonprotein N content. Plasma urea N concentrations were elevated by the sodium caseinate and branched-chain AA plus sodium caseinate treatments. No treatment effects on other plasma metabolites or hormones were observed. Our results show no benefit of supplementation with branched-chain AA and only modest effects of sodium caseinate on milk protein concentration and yield in well-fed cows.     

Microstructural, textural, and sensory characteristics of probiotic yogurts fortified with sodium calcium caseinate or whey protein concentrate

The influence of milk protein-based ingredients on the textural characteristics, sensory properties, and microstructure of probiotic yogurt during a refrigerated storage period of 28 d was studied. Milk was fortified with 2% (wt/vol) skim milk powder as control, 2% (wt/vol) sodium calcium caseinate (SCaCN), 2% (wt/vol) whey protein concentrate (WPC) or a blend of 1% (wt/vol) SCaCN and 1% (wt/vol) WPC. A commercial yogurt starter culture and Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 as probiotic bacteria were used for the production. The fortification with SCaCN improved the firmness and adhesiveness. Higher values of viscosity were also obtained in probiotic yogurts with SCaCN during storage. However, WPC enhanced water-holding capacity more than the caseinate. Addition of SCaCN resulted in a coarse, smooth, and more compact protein network; however, WPC gave finer and bunched structures in the scanning electron microscopy micrographs. The use of SCaCN decreased texture scores in probiotic yogurt; probably due to the lower water-holding capacity and higher syneresis values in the caseinate-added yogurt sample. Therefore, the textural characteristics of probiotic yogurts improved depending on the ingredient variety.