Development and application of a processing model for the Irish dairy industry

A processing-sector model was developed that simulates (i) milk collection, (ii) standardization, and (iii) product manufacture. The model estimates the product yield, net milk value, and component values of milk based on milk quantity, composition, product portfolio, and product values. Product specifications of cheese, butter, skim and whole milk powders, liquid milk, and casein are met through milk separation followed by reconstitution in appropriate proportions. Excess cream or skim milk are used in other product manufacture. Volume-related costs, including milk collection, standardization, and processing costs, and product-related costs, including processing costs per tonne, packaging, storage, distribution, and marketing, are quantified. Operating costs, incurred irrespective of milk received and processing activities, are included in the model on a fixed-rate basis. The net milk value is estimated as sale value less total costs. The component values of fat and protein were estimated from net milk value using the marginal rate of technical substitution. Two product portfolio scenarios were examined: scenario 1 was representative of the Irish product mix in 2000, in which 27, 39, 13, and 21% of the milk pool was processed into cheese (€3,291.33/t), butter (€2,766.33/t), whole milk powder (€2,453.33/t), and skim milk powder (€2,017.00/t), respectively, and scenario 2 was representative of the 2008 product mix, in which 43, 30, 14, and 13% was processed into cheese, butter, whole milk powder, and skim milk powder, respectively, and sold at the same market prices. Within both scenarios 3 milk compositions were considered, which were representative of (i) typical Irish Holstein-Friesian, (ii) Jersey, and (iii) the New Zealand strain of Holstein-Friesian, each of which had differing milk constituents. The effect each milk composition had on product yield, processing costs, total revenue, component values of milk, and the net value of milk was examined. The value per liter of milk in scenario 1 was 24.8, 30.8, and 27.4 cents for Irish Holstein-Friesian, Jersey, and New Zealand strain of Holstein-Friesian milk, respectively. In scenario 2 the value per liter of milk was 26.1, 32.6, and 28.9 cents for Irish Holstein-Friesian, Jersey, and New Zealand strain of Holstein-Friesian milk, respectively.     

Buttermaking and the churning of blended fat emulsions

The methods used to manufacture butter (the Fritz process and batch-wise churning) basically transform cream into butter grains and buttermilk by agitation and by beating air into the cream. Electron micrographs have been used to show the individual stages of buttergrain formation (ie, phase reversal from oil-in-water into water-in-oil):(1) building up foam from the skim milk, (2) adsorption of fat globules at the foam lamellae and (3) agglomeration of fat globules, (4) destabilization of the foam and mechanical clumping of the agglomerates to form butter grains. The microstructure of the butter grains as well as of the finished butter is characterized by a dispersion of water, air, fat crystals and fat globules in oil. By contrast, margarine has a more homogeneous structure. It does not contain globular fat. Thus the texture of butter tends to be solid, while that of margarine tends to be greasy. The consistency of butter can be influenced to a large extent by temperature treatment of the cream (physical cream ripening). A simple device has been developed for optimizing physical cream ripening which automatically records the melting and crystallization curves of the fat. Many raw material, process and machine specific parameters affect the efficiency of churing as well as the quality of butter, and many of these parameters exert an opposite effect. They therefore have to be set carefully so that they balance each other as required. Dosage of buttermilk and dried skim milk into the product stream has allowed the fat content of butter to be reduced to 60% and the water content to be increased to 36% without impairing product quality. This method has been developed further (Pasilac) for manufacturing a stable, long keeping half-fat and quarter-fat butter (the latter in only a few experiments so far). The structure of these products is not of the oil-in-water dispersion type. It could be characterized as a water-in-oil/fat dispersion, which contains an additional locally continuous aqueous phase. The Alfa buttermaking process (which was used during the 1950s and early 1960s) has recently been revived for the production of the Swedish mixed spread, Bregott, in order to minimize fat losses and to increase further maximum levels of oil inclusion in the blend. Blended spreads comprising milk fat (60­75%) + vegetable oil (25­40%) are no doubt more spreadable than butter at refrigerator temperature. However, they have proved to be too soft above 16­18°C. Therefore experiments have been undertaken to improve the consistency of blended spreads by using different milk fat fractions. In order to preserve the butter character artificial creams have been prepared and churned. The fat mixtures were emulsified in skim milk. Distilled unsaturated monoglycerides were added to the fat phase at different concentrations (0­2%) to make the emulsions sufficiently unstable at low temperatures. Beyond a certain monoglyceride concentration the emulsions could be churned successfully. However, below this critical concentration (which corresponds to roughly half of the mass required for covering all fat globules with monolayers) churning efficiency decreased significantly. Electron micrographs elucidate the mechanism of destabilizing the cream by monoglycerides. Electron micrographs also reveal the globular structure of the products thus obtained. Globular structures are known to cause the typical butter like mouth feel. The firmness/temperature curves of spreads obtained by churning adequately blended fat emulsions could be improved over those of butter (ie, flattened and shifted). In addition, the consistency, as in the case of ordinary butter, could equally be influenced by physical cream ripening.     

Polybrominated biphenyls in raw milk and processed dairy products.

Milk from four dairy herds identified by the Michigan Department of Agriculture as containing less than .3 ppm (fat basis) physiologically incorporated polybrominated biphenyls was processed individually into cream, skim milk, butter, and stirred curd cheese. Pasteurized and freeze-dried whole milk, skim milk, and cream, spray-dried whole milk and skim milk, and condensed whole milk were made also. Polybrominated biphenyls were concentrated in the high-fat products. Pasteurized skim milk, buttermilk, and whey had slightly more polybrominated biphenyls than pasteurized whole milk on a fat basis. Spray-drying reduced the polybrominated biphenyls in whole milk and skim milk while pasteurization, freeze-drying, aging of cheese, and condensation were not effective.     

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in milk and butter as an indicator of heat treatment

Naturally present γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP) in whole and skim milk was inactivated by heat treatment at >79°C for 16 s. Of the total activity in whole milk, 72% was found in the skim milk fraction. Little seasonal variation was noted in either whole or skim raw milk over a period of 300 days. Using a commercially available test kit for GGTP, as little as 0·1% raw milk or cream could be detected in pasteurized skim milk and butter. An alternative GGTP method examined was less sensitive than the commercial method. However, it was necessary for cream products with low GGTP activity since cream interfered with the commercial assay. No reactivation of GGTP was found in whole milk or butter under a variety of conditions. Commercial milk and cream samples were negative for GGTP activity. The results suggest that GGTP analysis could be useful for monitoring the heat-treatment give to fluid milk products.     

Effect of temperature of CO2 injection on the pH and freezing point of milks and creams

The objectives of this study were to measure the impact of CO2 injection temperature (0 degree C and 40 degrees C) on the pH and freezing point (FP) of (a) milks with different fat contents (i.e., 0, 15, 30%) and (b) creams with 15% fat but different fat characteristics. Skim milk and unhomogenized creams containing 15 and 30% fat were prepared from the same batch of whole milk and were carbonated at 0 and 40 degrees C in a continuous flow CO2 injection unit (230 ml/min). At 0 degree C, milk fat was mostly solid; at 40 degrees C, milk fat was liquid. At the same total CO2 concentration with CO2 injection at 0 degree C, milk with a higher fat content had a lower pH and FP, while with CO2 injection at 40 degrees C, milks with 0%, 15%, and 30% fat had the same pH. This indicated that less CO2 was dissolved in the fat portion of the milk when the CO2 was injected at 0 degree C than when it was injected at 40 degrees C. Three creams, 15% unhomogenized cream, 15% butter oil emulsion in skim milk, and 15% vegetable oil emulsion in skim milk were also carbonated and analyzed as described above. Vegetable oil was liquid at both 0 and 40 degrees C. At a CO2 injection temperature of 0 degree C, the 15% vegetable oil emulsion had a slightly higher pH than the 15% butter oil emulsion and the 15% unhomogenized cream, indicating that the liquid vegetable oil dissolved more CO2 than the mostly solid milk fat and butter oil. No difference in the pH or FP of the 15% unhomogenized cream and 15% butter oil emulsion was observed when CO2 was injected at 0 degree C, suggesting that homogenization or physical dispersion of milk fat globules did not influence the amount of CO2 dissolved in milk fat at a CO2 injection temperature of 0 degree C. At a CO2 injection temperature of 40 degrees C and at the same total CO2 concentration, the 15% unhomogenized cream, 15% vegetable oil emulsion, and 15% butter oil emulsion had similar pH. At the same total concentration of CO2 in cream, injection of CO2 at low temperature (i.e., < 4 degrees C) may produce a better antimicrobial effect during refrigerated shelf life due to the higher concentration of CO2 in the skim portion of the cream.     

Cholesterol content and lipid composition of low fat dairy products

The lipid composition of different products obtained from the same raw milk was investigated. The cholesterol content of skim milk (0.05% total fat) and butter milk (0.57% total fat) lipids was 4.20% and 1.31%, respectively, while raw milk lipids and butter fat contained 0.34% or 0.30%, respectively. As the cholesterol content of these low fat milk products increases with decreasing fat content, equations were derived to estimate the fat-related cholesterol content from the value analysed in butter fat. In contrast to the fat-related cholesterol content, the product-related content is still relatively small in skim and butter milk. Their fat-related cholesterol content was found to be influenced by drying. The high content of phospholipids in skim and butter milk led to considerable changes in the fatty acid composition and affected the detection of foreign fat by butyric acid as well as by triglycerides. Skim and butter milk lipids contained only 2.41% or 2.33% butyric acid, respectively, instead of 3.36% found in raw milk lipids. Further, the overlap of phospholipids as well as cholesterol with the gas chromatographic triglyceride pattern resulted in calculated foreign fat contents of more than 20%.     

Antioxidant activity of co-products from milk fat processing and their enzymatic hydrolysates obtained with different proteolytic preparations

Different co-products are generated from bovine milk during the manufacture of butter or anhydrous milk fat. Those co-products have a similar composition to milk, though they are enriched in fat and components from the milk fat globule membrane. The antioxidant activity of some commercial products (skim milk, butter serum and buttermilk) and raw buttermilk was assayed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay. Commercial co-products showed higher antioxidant activity than raw buttermilk when tested at >10 mg mL⁻¹. These products were incubated with Alcalase, Prolyve and Corolase PP to determine the effect of enzymatic hydrolysis on their antioxidant activity; hydrolysates obtained were characterised by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Hydrolysis with Corolase PP produced the hydrolysates with the highest antioxidant activity. Products derived from milk fat processing and their hydrolysates may therefore be considered as a natural source of antioxidant compounds for application as value-added ingredients.     

Estrone and 17β-estradiol concentrations in pasteurized-homogenized milk and commercial dairy products

Some individuals fear that estrogens in dairy products may stimulate growth of estrogen-sensitive cancers in humans. The presence of estrone (E₁) and 17β-estradiol (E₂) in raw whole cow's milk has been demonstrated. The objectives of this study were to determine if pasteurization-homogenization affects E₂ concentration in milk and to quantify E₁ and E₂ concentrations in commercially available dairy products. The effects of pasteurization-homogenization were tested by collecting fresh raw milk, followed by pasteurization and homogenization at 1 of 2 homogenization pressures. All treated milks were tested for milk fat globule size, percentages of milk fat and solids, and E₂ concentrations. Estrone and E₂ were quantified from organic or conventional skim, 1%, 2%, and whole milks, as well as half-and-half, cream, and butter samples. Estrone and E₂ were quantified by RIA after organic solvent extractions and chromatography. Pasteurization-homogenization reduced fat globule size, but did not significantly affect E₂, milk fat, or milk solids concentrations. Estrone concentrations averaged 2.9, 4.2, 5.7, 7.9, 20.4, 54.1 pg/mL, and 118.9 pg/g in skim, 1%, 2%, and whole milks, half-and-half, cream, and butter samples, respectively. 17β-Estradiol concentrations averaged 0.4, 0.6, 0.9, 1.1, 1.9, 6.0 pg/mL, and 15.8 pg/g in skim, 1%, 2%, whole milks, half-and-half, cream, and butter samples, respectively. The amount of fat in milk significantly affected E₁ and E₂ concentrations in milk. Organic and conventional dairy products did not have substantially different concentrations of E₁ and E₂. Compared with information cited in the literature, concentrations of E₁ and E₂ in bovine milk are small relative to endogenous production rates of E₁ and E₂ in humans.     

Microfiltration of buttermilk and washed cream buttermilk for concentration of milk fat globule membrane components

Buttermilk, the by-product from butter manufacture, has gained much attention lately because of the application potential of its milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) components as health ingredients. Microfiltration (MF) has been studied for buttermilk fractionation because of its ability to separate particles from dissolved solutes. However, the presence in this by-product of skim milk solids, especially casein micelles, restricts concentration of MFGM. The use of cream washed with skim milk ultrafiltrate to produce buttermilk with lower casein content was studied as well as fractionation of this buttermilk by MF. Results have shown that washing the cream prior to churning yields buttermilk with 74% less protein than normal cream buttermilk. Analysis of the protein profile of washed cream buttermilk revealed that caseins and whey proteins were the main classes of proteins removed. The MF of washed cream buttermilk resulted in permeation fluxes 2-fold higher than with normal cream buttermilk. The second separation of the cream induced high losses of phospholipids in the skim phase. However, retention of remaining phospholipids in washed cream buttermilk by the MF membrane was higher resulting in a phospholipids concentration factor 66% higher than that of normal cream buttermilk. The results presented in this study highlight the impact of casein micelles on the separation of MFGM components as well as their effect on permeation flux during MF.     

Phospho- and sphingolipid distribution during processing of milk, butter and whey

Phospho‐ and sphingolipids (SPHs) were monitored upon processing of raw milk into skimmed milk, cream, butter, buttermilk, fresh cheese, acid whey, anhydrous milk fat and butterserum (=the aqueous phase of butter). These products were analysed on polar lipids, fat and dry matter and corresponding balances were calculated. It was found that polar lipids were preferentially enriched in aqueous phases like skimmed milk, buttermilk and butterserum. Significant differences in relative SPH content were observed. Tangential filtration and thermocalcic aggregation of the acid whey successfully recovered the polar lipids. With 11.5% of polar lipids on a dry matter base, representing 28.4% of the milk polar lipids and only 0.9% of the milk mass, butterserum was found to be most suitable for further purification. This could result in a food (ingredient) with enhanced technological and nutritional properties, as recent studies reveal health‐improving capacities of phospho‐ and SPHs.     

Determination of bisphenol A in milk and dairy products by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

This study was conducted to develop a selective and sensitive method for the determination of bisphenol A (BPA) levels in milk and dairy products. A method based on solvent extraction with acetonitrile and solid-phase extraction (SPE) was developed for the analysis of BPA in milk, yogurt, cream, butter, pudding, condensed milk, and flavored milk, and a method using two SPE cartridges (OASIS HLB and Florisil cartridge) for skim milk was also developed. The developed methods showed good recovery levels (77 to 102%) together with low detection limits (1 microg/liter for milk, yogurt, pudding, condensed milk, flavored milk, and skim milk and 3 microg/liter for cream and butter). These methods are simple, sensitive, and suitable for the analysis of BPA in milk and dairy products. When 40 milk and dairy products were analyzed by the proposed methods, BPA was not identified in noncanned products, but its levels ranged from 21 to 43 microg/kg in canned products, levels that were 60- to 140-fold lower than the migration limits in the European Union and Japan.     

Investigation of the migration of triclabendazole residues to milk products manufactured from bovine milk,and stability therein,following lactating cow treatment

Triclabendazole (TCB) is a flukicide used in the treatment of liver fluke in cattle; however, its use is currently prohibited in lactating dairy cows. In this study, following administration of 10% Fasinex (triclabendazole, Novartis Animal Health UK Ltd., Camberley, UK) the milk of 6 animals was used to manufacture dairy products, to ascertain if TCB residues in milk migrate into dairy products. The detection limit of the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method used was 0.67 μg/kg. The highest concentrations of TCB residue measured, within the individual cow milk yield, was 1,529 ± 244 µg/kg (n = 6), on d 2 posttreatment. Days 2 and 23 posttreatment represented high and low residue concentrations, respectively. At each of these 2 time points, the milk was pooled into 2 independent aliquots and refrigerated. Milk products, including cheese, butter, and skim milk powder were manufactured using pasteurized and unpasteurized milk from each aliquot. The results for high residue milks demonstrated that TCB residues concentrated in the cheese by a factor of 5 (5,372 vs. 918 µg/kg for cheese vs. milk) compared with the starting milk. Residue concentrations are the sum of TCB and its metabolites, expressed as keto-TCB. Residues were concentrated in the butter by a factor of 9 (9,177 vs. 1,082 μg/kg for butter vs. milk) compared with the starting milk. For milk, which was separated to skim milk and cream fractions, the residues were concentrated in the cream. Once skim milk powder was manufactured from the skim milk fraction, the residue in powder was concentrated 15-fold compared with the starting skim milk (7,252 vs. 423 µg/kg for powder vs. skim milk), despite the high temperature (185°C) required during powder manufacture. For products manufactured from milk with low residue concentrations at d 23 posttreatment, TCB residues were detected in butter, cheese, and skim milk powder, even though there was no detectable residue in the milk used to manufacture these products. Triclabendazole residues were concentrated in some milk products (despite manufacturing treatments), exceeding residue levels in the starting milk and, depending on the storage conditions, may be relatively stable over time.     

Compositional and functional properties of buttermilk: a comparison between sweet, sour, and whey buttermilk

Buttermilk is a dairy ingredient widely used in the food industry because of its emulsifying capacity and its positive impact on flavor. Commercial buttermilk is sweet buttermilk, a by-product from churning sweet cream into butter. However, other sources of buttermilk exist, including cultured and whey buttermilk obtained from churning of cultured cream and whey cream, respectively. The compositional and functional properties (protein solubility, viscosity, emulsifying and foaming properties) of sweet, sour, and whey buttermilk were determined at different pH levels and compared with those of skim milk and whey. Composition of sweet and cultured buttermilk was similar to skim milk, and composition of whey buttermilk was similar to whey, with the exception of fat content, which was higher in buttermilk than in skim milk or whey (6 to 20% vs. 0.3 to 0.4%). Functional properties of whey buttermilk were independent of pH, whereas sweet and cultured buttermilk exhibited lower protein solubility and emulsifying properties as well as a higher viscosity at low pH (pH ≤ 5). Sweet, sour, and whey buttermilks showed higher emulsifying properties and lower foaming capacity than milk and whey because of the presence of milk fat globule membrane components. Furthermore, among the various buttermilks, whey buttermilk was the one showing the highest emulsifying properties and the lowest foaming capacity. This could be due to a higher ratio of phospholipids to protein in whey buttermilk compared with cultured or sweet buttermilk. Whey buttermilk appears to be a promising and unique ingredient in the formulation of low pH foods.     

Development of an improved extraction and HPLC method for the measurement of ascorbic acid in cows' milk from processing plants and retail outlets

An improved extraction (2.5% HPO₃, 5 mm dithiothreitol) and HPLC quantification methodology using a C–18 column at 35 °C and 0.1 m acetic acid (98%) and acetonitrile (2%) mobile phase was developed to quantify total ascorbic acid (AA) in commercial whole/semi‐skim/skim raw/pasteurised/UHT milk packaged in opaque bags, transparent plastic, cardboard and Tetra Brik^?. AA content ranged from 0.21 to 10 and from 3.4 to 16 mg L^?1 in milk from retail outlets and processing plants, respectively, and was higher in organic milk. For same processor/lot samples, pasteurised milk showed higher AA content than UHT milk. This was not true for retail outlets samples. AA content was similar for whole/semi‐skim and semi‐skim/skim milk, but not for whole/skim comparisons. Among UHT samples, the AA content trend was whole<semi‐skim<skim and lower for UHT milk in opaque plastic and Tetra Brik^? container. After 14 days at 4 °C in the dark, AA losses ranged 35–83% depending on milk type and preservation method with a higher AA retention in unopened containers.     

Potential for improving the carbon footprint of butter and blend products

To reduce the environmental impact of a product efficiently, it is crucial to consider the entire value chain of the product; that is, to apply life cycle thinking, to avoid suboptimization and identify the areas where the largest potential improvements can be made. This study analyzed the carbon footprint (CF) of butter and dairy blend products, with the focus on fat content and size and type of packaging (including product waste at the consumer level). The products analyzed were butter with 80% fat in 250-g wrap, 250-g tub, and 10-g mini tub, and blends with 80% and 60% fat in 250-g tubs. Life cycle assessment was used to account for all greenhouse gas emissions from cow to consumer. A critical aspect when calculating the CF is how emissions are allocated between different products. Here, allocation of raw milk between products was based on a weighted fat and protein content (1:1.7), based on the price paid for raw milk to dairy farmers. The CF (expressed as carbon dioxide equivalents, CO₂e) for 1 kg of butter or blend (assuming no product waste at consumer) ranged from 5.2 kg (blend with 60% fat content) to 9.3 kg of CO₂e (butter in 250-g tub). When including product waste at the consumer level, the CF ranged from 5.5 kg of CO₂e (blend with 60% fat content) to 14.7 kg of CO₂e (butter in mini tub). Fat content and the proportion of vegetable oil in products had the greatest effect on CF of the products, with lower fat content and a higher proportion of vegetable oil resulting in lower CF. Hence, if the same functionality as butter could be retained while shifting to lower fat and higher proportions of vegetable oil, the CF of the product would be decreased. Size and type of packaging were less important, but it is crucial to have the correct size and type of packaging to avoid product losses at the consumer. The greatest share of greenhouse gas emissions associated with butter production occurred at the farm level; thus, minimizing product losses in the whole value chain—from cow to consumer—is essential for efficient production.     

Heat inactivation of hepatitis A virus in dairy foods

Experiments were performed to determine the thermal resistance of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in three types of dairy products containing increased amounts of fat content (skim milk, homogenized milk; 3.5% MFG, and table cream; 18% MFG). HAV-inoculated dairy products were introduced into custom-made U-shaped microcapillary tubes that in turn were simultaneously immersed in a waterbath, using custom-made floating boats and a carrying platform. Following exposure to the desired time and temperature combinations, the contents of each of the tubes was retrieved and was tested by plaque assay to determine the reduction in virus titer. Our data indicated that < 0.5 min at 85 degrees C was sufficient to cause a 5-log reduction in HAV titer in all three dairy products, whereas at 80 degrees C, < or = 0.68 min (for skim and homogenized milk), and 1.24 min (for cream) were needed to cause a similar log reduction. Using a nonlinear two-phase negative exponential model (two-compartment model) to analyze the data, it was found that at temperatures of 65, 67, 69, 71, and 75 degrees C, significantly (P < 0.05) higher exposure times were needed to achieve a 1-log reduction in virus titer in cream, as compared to skim and homogenized milk. For example, at 71 degrees C, a significantly (P < 0.05) higher exposure time of 0.52 min (for cream) was needed as compared to < or = 0.18 min (for skim and homogenized milk) to achieve a 1-log reduction in virus titer. A similar trend of inactivation was observed at 73 and 75 degrees C where significantly (P < 0.05) higher exposure times of 0.29 to 0.36 min for cream were needed to cause a 1-log reduction in HAV in cream, as compared to < or = 0.17 min for skim and homogenized milk. This study has provided information on the heat resistance of HAV in skim milk, homogenized milk, and table cream and demonstrated that an increase in fat content appears to play a protective role and contributes to the heat stability of HAV.     

Physical and processing properties of milk,butter, and cheddar cheese from cows fed supplemental fish meal

Physical, chemical, sensory and processing properties of milk produced by feeding a rumen-undegradable fish meal protein supplement to Holstein cows were investigated. The supplement contained (as fed basis) 25% soft-white wheat, 60% herring meal, and 15% feather meal. The total fat level in the milk decreased to 2.43%. For both pasteurized and ultra-high temperature processed drinking milk, no difference was found between fish meal (FM) milk and control milk in terms of color, flavor and flavor stability; in particular, no oxidized flavor was observed. Cheddar cheese made from FM milk ripened faster after 3 mo of ripening and developed a more desirable texture and stronger Cheddar flavor. The yield efficiencies for FM and control cheese, 94.4 (+/- 2.44 SE) and 96.4 (+/- 2.26 SE), respectively, were not different. Relative to controls, average fat globule size was smaller in FM milk and churning time of FM cream was longer. FM butter had softer texture and better cold spreadability, and butter oils from FM enriched milk had lower dropping points compared to control butter oil (average 32.89 versus 34.06 degrees C). These differences in physical properties of butter fat were greater than expected considering that iodine values were not different. This study demonstrates the feasibility of producing high quality products from milk naturally supplemented with FM, but the results also show that dietary changes affect processing properties.     

Factors affecting the inactivation of the natural microbiota of milk processed by pulsed electric fields and cross-flow microfiltration

Prior to processing milk and cream were standardised and homogenised. Skim milk was cross-flow microfiltered (CFMF) prior to treatment with pulsed electric fields (PEF) or high temperature short time (HTST) pasteurization. The effect of temperature of the skim milk and product composition on the efficacy of PEF treatment was determined. The electrical conductivity of the product was related to fat and solids content and increased 5% for every g/kg increase of solids and decreased by nearly 0·7% for every g/kg increase of fat. From the three microbial groups analyzed (mesophilic, coliform, and psychrotroph) in milks differences (P<0·05) in the inactivation of mesophilic microorganisms were observed between the counts following PEF treatment, while HTST pasteurization resulted in higher reductions in all different counts than those obtained after PEF. Increasing the skim milk temperature prior to PEF treatment to about 34°C showed equivalent reductions in microbial counts to skim milk treated at 6°C in half the time. The reductions achieved by a combination of CFMF and PEF treatments were comparable to those achieved when CFMF was combined with HTST pasteurization. A higher reduction in coliform counts was observed in homogenised products subjected to PEF than in products that were only standardised for fat content.     

Effect of seasonal variation on the properties of whipping cream,soft cheese and skim milk powder in the UK

Whipping cream, skim milk powder and soft cheese were produced throughout the year. Whipping cream manufactured in spring and winter produced significantly higher overrun and better serum stability, and whipping time was related to buffering capacity of raw milk. Heat stability of reconstituted skim milk powder (RSMP) at 9% total solids (TS) was greater in summer and autumn, and >25% TS throughout the year. It was positively related to the protein content of raw milk, but negatively with fat. In contrast to other dairy products, no significant effect of season on the properties of soft cheese was found.     

The Effective Factors on the Structure of Butter and Other Milk Fat‐Based Products

Butter and other milk fat‐based products are valuable products for the dairy industry due to their unique taste, their textural characteristics, and nutritional value. However, an increased consumer demand for low‐fat‐based products increases the need for an increased essential understanding of the effective factors governing the structure of milk fat‐based products. Today, 2 manufacturing techniques are available: the churning method and the emulsification method. The first is typically used for production of butter with a globular structure, which has become increasingly popular to obtain low‐fat‐based products, typically without presence of milk fat globules. The microstructure of milk fat‐based products is strongly related to their structural rheology, hence applications. Structural behavior is not determined by one single parameter, but by the interactions between many. This complexity is reviewed here. Parameters such as thermal treatment of cream prior to butter making, water content, and chemical composition influence not only crystal polymorphism, but also the number and sizes of fat crystals. The number of crystal–crystal interactions formed within the products is related to product hardness. During storage, however, postcrystallization increases the solid fat content and strengthens the fat crystal network. The fat crystal network is strengthened by the formation of more and stronger crystal–crystal interactions due to mechanically interlinking of fat crystals, which occurs during crystal growth. Postcrystallization is directly linked to chemical composition. The initially observed microstructural difference causing different rheological behavior will disappear during storage due to postcrystallization and formation of more crystal–crystal interactions.