The effect of preheat treatment and other process parameters on the coffee stability of instant whole milk powder

Agglomerated whole milk powders were manufactured on a pilot-scale milk powder plant using different preheating conditions as well as adjustment of other process parameters. A standard coffee stability test was modified by preparing aqueous coffee solutions of varying hardness when testing the experimentally produced powders. Assaying coffee stability under hard water conditions differentiated more clearly the effects of different processing parameters, as well as providing more realistic test conditions. Higher evaporator preheat temperatures (75–120°C) and prolonged holding times (30–120 s) had a negative effect on the coffee stability of whole milk powder, as did raising concentrate total solids from 43 to 48% in the feed to the drier. Concentrate homogenisation and mode of emulsion formation had only a marginal effect on coffee stability. Optimum concentrate heating temperature was 70°C for the 5 min transmission time the concentrate took to reach the drier nozzle. Addition of lecithin during the secondary drying stage improved coffee stability. Coffee sediments contained slightly higher levels of α_s-casein than that of the original whole milk powder. However, the increase in β-lactoglobulin content of the sediment from 2.1 to 7.5% as preheat temperature was increased from 75 to 120°C was the most notable change that occurred in sediment composition. The results suggest that a combination of optimised thermal treatment as well as the attainment of the desired powder physico-chemical properties is necessary to achieve satisfactory stability of whole milk powder in coffee.     

Invited review: spray-dried dairy and dairy-like emulsions--compositional considerations

Milk constituents [caseins, whey proteins (WP), lactose, and anhydrous milk fat] are used widely in the manufacture of dehydrated dairy and dairy-like emulsions. When sodium caseinate- (NaCas) and WP-stabilized emulsions with an oil-to-protein ratio ranging from 0.25 to 5 are dehydrated, NaCas is a more effective encapsulant than WP because of its superior emulsifying properties and resistance to heat denaturation. Denaturation degree of WP during drying has been associated with increased powder surface fat and larger droplet size after reconstitution. Encapsulation of NaCas-stabilized emulsions improves in the presence of lactose; powder surface fat was reduced from 30 to <5% when lactose was added at a 1:1 ratio to NaCas in an emulsion containing 30% (wt/wt) oil. This has been related to the ability of lactose to form solid-like (or glassy) capsules during sudden dehydration. Encapsulation of WP-stabilized emulsions is not improved by addition of lactose, although there are conflicting reports in the literature. Storage stability of dehydrated dairy-like emulsions is strongly linked to lactose crystallization as release of encapsulated material occurs during storage at high relative humidities (e.g., 75%). The use of alternative carbohydrates as “matrix-forming” materials (such as maltodextrins or gum arabic) improves storage stability but compromises the emulsion droplet size after reconstitution. The composition of the powder surface has been recognized as a key parameter in dehydrated emulsion quality. It is the chemical composition of the powder surface that dictates the behavior of the bulk in terms of wettability, flowability, and stability. Analyses, using electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis of the surface of industrial milk powders and dehydrated emulsions that mimicked the composition of milk, showed that powder surface is covered mainly by fat, even when the fat content is very low (18 and 99% surface fat coverage for skim milk and whole milk powders, respectively). The functional properties of milk constituents during emulsion dehydration are far from being thoroughly understood; future research needs include a) the encapsulation properties of pure micellar casein; b) a deeper understanding of colloidal phenomena (such as changes in the oil-water and air-oil interfaces) that occur before, during, and after dehydration, which ultimately define emulsion stability after drying; and c) reconciliation of the current different views on powder surface composition.     

Functionality of Milk Powders and Milk‐Based Powders for End Use Applications—A Review

Abstract: Newer variants of milk powders and milk‐based powders are being produced are looking for prospective end users. Powders possess physical and functional properties that are of significance in its usage notably powder structure, particle size distribution, powder density, bulk density, particle density, occluded air, interstitial air, flowability, rehydration (wettability, sinkability, dispersibility, solubility), hygroscopicity, heat stability, emulsifying ability, water activity, stickiness, caking, and others. Some of the functional properties of significance to milk powders and milk‐based powders are discussed in this review. Applications with regard to specific milk powders for reconstituted cheese making, coffee creamers, and those suited for milk chocolate and for the baking industry are described.     

牛奶咖啡饮料的稳定性研究

牛奶咖啡饮料是以咖啡提取液或速溶咖啡粉为主要原料,加入乳粉、白砂糖、稳定剂及其他辅料并经过有效杀菌后制作成的一种中性含乳咖啡饮料,其在货架期内很容易产生脂肪上浮、蛋白絮凝和沉淀,严重影响产品品质。因此,需要筛选添加合适的稳定剂来保证产品的稳定性。本实验利用快速稳定性分析仪LUMiFuge结合目测观察法、粒径分析法、离心沉淀率测定的方法,研究了磷酸盐、乳化剂和增稠剂对牛奶咖啡体系稳定性的影响,确定了最优的稳定剂种类:磷酸盐选取六偏磷酸钠、乳化剂选取羟基化大豆磷脂、增稠剂选取MCC。     

不同乳基婴幼儿配方乳粉的理化性质和表面组成

为探究不同乳基对婴幼儿配方乳粉稳定性的影响,本研究对以牛乳和羊乳为基料制备的婴幼儿配方乳粉的水分质量分数和水分活度(water activity,a_w)、玻璃化转变温度(glass transition temperature,T_g)、乳糖结晶度、溶解度、色度、蛋白组成、总脂肪酸和表面游离脂肪酸组成等理化性质进行分析,用X射线光电子能谱(X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,XPS)仪对乳粉表面成分进行测定,并通过扫描电子显微镜(scanning electron microscopy,SEM)观察乳粉表面形貌。结果表明：羊乳婴幼儿配方乳粉具有较好的理化性质,与牛乳婴儿配方乳粉相比具有较低的水分质量分数、a_w、色度和T_g,而结晶度和溶解度接近,通过气相色谱-质谱(gas chromatography-mass spectrometry,GC-MS)对脂肪酸含量进行测定发现,牛乳和羊乳婴幼儿配方乳粉均表现出总脂肪酸中不饱和脂肪酸含量较高,表面游离脂肪酸中饱和脂肪酸含量较高的...     

CHARACTERIZATION OF RECONSTITUTED MILK POWDER BY ULTRASOUND SPECTROSCOPY

When instant milk powder (IMP) is reconstituted with water, the product should resemble fresh milk. However, undissolved particles were found at the surface and in the bulk of the product. A visual reconstitution test (RT) is made on IMP to determine the reconstituted quality of the product. This test is directly linked to the presence of the undissolved particles. The particles found at the surface are formed by clustered liquid‐fat aggregates, which rise to the top of the milk and may give an impression of spoiled milk. The particles found in the bulk are small particles in the solution mostly composed of a protein gel. Because the repeatability and precision of the RT are very poor, a quantitative analytical technique is desirable. In this study we investigated five different quality milk powders by an ultrasound spectroscopy technique. The ultrasonic velocity and attenuation parameters were measured with a frequency scanning pulse echo reflectometer. We found that the ultrasonic velocity cannot be correlated to RT because the predominant phenomenon that affects the ultrasonic velocity is the physical state of the different components of the milk matrix (liquid fat, crystalline fat and lactose crystals), and this physical state is not a significant factor in powder quality. However, the ultrasonic attenuation coefficient is well correlated with RT. This is because, between two different quality powders, the most important factor that causes variation in the attenuation is scattering, correlated to particle size and to volume fraction rather than by the composition or physical state of the matrix and the same particle size factor, and volume fraction factor characterizes the powder reconstitution's quality.     

Changes in the physical properties,solubility, and heat stability of milk protein concentrates prepared from partially acidified milk

A limiting factor in using milk protein concentrates (MPC) as a high-quality protein source for different food applications is their poor reconstitutability. Solubilization of colloidal calcium phosphate (CCP) from casein micelles during membrane filtration (e.g., through acidification) may affect the structural organization of these protein particles and consequently the rehydration and functional properties of the resulting MPC powder. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of acidification of milk by glucono-δ-lactone (GDL) before ultrafiltration (UF) on the composition, physical properties, solubility, and thermal stability (after reconstitution) of MPC powders. The MPC samples were manufactured in duplicate, either by UF (65% protein, MPC65) or by UF followed by diafiltration (80% protein, MPC80), using pasteurized skim milk, at either the native milk pH (~pH 6.6) or at pH 6.0 after addition of GDL, followed by spray drying. Samples of different treatments were reconstituted at 5% (wt/wt) protein to compare their solubility and thermal stability. Powders were tested in duplicate for basic composition, calcium content, reconstitutability, particle size, particle density, and microstructure. Acidification of milk did not have any significant effect on the proximate composition, particle size, particle density, or surface morphology of the MPC powders; however, the total calcium content of MPC80 decreased significantly with acidification (from 1.84 ± 0.03 to 1.59 ± 0.03 g/100 g of powder). Calcium-depleted MPC80 powders were also more soluble than the control powders. Diafiltered dispersions were significantly less heat stable (at 120°C) than UF samples when dissolved at 5% solids. The present work contributes to a better understanding of the differences in MPC commonly observed during processing.     

The thermostability of spray dried imitation coffee whiteners

Imitation creamer formulations were spray dried and agglomerated on a pilot scale tall-form drier in order to evaluate the stability of the resulting powders when added to hot aqueous coffee solutions. The study explored the effects of different protein ingredients (sodium caseinate; milk protein concentrate; whey protein concentrate; milk proteinate; soluble wheat protein) in combination with non-protein emulsifiers and disodium hydrogen orthophosphate. Adaptation of coffee stability test methodology was necessary to take account of the presence of significantly more 'floaters' in the case of imitation coffee whiteners which did not sediment during centrifugation. A new non-dairy protein, soluble wheat protein, proved to have exceptional stabilizing ability compared to all other protein ingredients evaluated. Sodium caseinate performed the best out of the dairy proteins, while formulations incorporating milk protein concentrate tended to be the least stable. When working with whey protein concentrate as the principal ingredient source, an emulsifier system based on mono/diglycerides was inadequate, and it was necessary to use a combination of polysorbate and sodium stearoyl lactylate in its place.     

Slowly dissolving particles in instant whole milk powder – Characterisation and quantitative analysis

Instant milk powders are graded after manufacture using functional tests that gauge the performance of the powder in a way that is relevant to consumer usage, but limited with respect to optimisation of the manufacturing plant. One such test is the slowly dissolving particle test that assesses undissolved particulate material adhering to a glass surface after reconstitution. This particulate material can be comprised of two subclasses ‒ bulk particles and surface particles ‒ which have different origins, natures and compositions and require different approaches for their measurement. However, a combination of an image analysis technique developed to quantify bulk particles and a gravimetric approach to assess the surface particle mass, enables more objective powder grading and better understanding of the source of solubility issues that may arise. Plant operators can use the result to make more specific adjustments to optimise plant performance.     

Properties of Ultrafiltered Skim Milk Retentate Powders

Spray-dried and freeze-dried ultrafiltered skim milk retentate powders were obtained from mechanically separated whole milk ultrafiltered retentates previously concentrated to 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1 total protein. Resulting powders, analyzed for composition, quality, storage stability, and functionality, were compared with conventional spray-dried skim milk powder.Retentate powders containing from 50 to 65% protein showed lowest bacterial numbers and acidity and retained excellent flavor. After 4 wk of storage above 3°C, the powder showed changes in solubility and 5-hydroxymethyl furfuraldehyde. Both indices increased with rise in protein content and storage temperature.Functional properties such as foaming and heat stability were suitable.     

Effects of milk heat treatment and solvent composition on physicochemical and selected functional characteristics of milk protein concentrate

Milk protein concentrate (MPC) powders (～81% protein) were made from skim milk that was heat treated at 72°C for 15 s (LHMPC) or 85°C for 30 s (MHMPC). The MPC powder was manufactured by ultrafiltration and diafiltration of skim milk at 50°C followed by spray drying. The MPC dispersions (4.02% true protein) were prepared by reconstituting the LHMPC and MHMPC powders in distilled water (LHMPC_w and MHMPC_w, respectively) or milk permeate (LHMPC_p and MHMPC_p, respectively). Increasing milk heat treatment increased the level of whey protein denaturation (from ～5 to 47% of total whey protein) and reduced the concentrations of serum protein, serum calcium, and ionic calcium. These changes were paralleled by impaired rennet-induced coagulability of the MHMPC_w and MHMPC_p dispersions and a reduction in the pH of maximum heat stability of MHMPC_p from pH 6.9 to 6.8. For both the LHMPC and MHMPC dispersions, the use of permeate instead of water enhanced ethanol stability at pH 6.6 to 7.0, impaired rennet gelation, and changed the heat coagulation time and pH profile from type A to type B. Increasing the severity of milk heat treatment during MPC manufacture and the use of permeate instead of water led to significant reductions in the viscosity of stirred yogurt prepared by starter-induced acidification of the MPC dispersions. The current study clearly highlights how the functionality of protein dispersions prepared by reconstitution of high-protein MPC powders may be modulated by the heat treatment of the skim milk during manufacture of the MPC and the composition of the solvent used for reconstitution.     

Egg-shell like structure in dried milk powders

The development of an egg-shell like structure in skim milk powder has been investigated in a stirred fluidized-bed dryer at various temperatures and humidities. The developed particles have crystalline surfaces and amorphous cores. The SEM analysis shows a thin layer of lactose crystals (at the nano-scale) that is formed on the surface of the powder while the XRD analysis shows that the particle cores are still amorphous (egg-shell form), so the surface properties have improved while the bulk desirable properties (of good solubility) have been retained. The resulting powders show better flowability and stability and less cake formation during storage by retaining good rehydration and dissolution times. The nano-coating of milk powders by crystalline lactose from the powder itself and the improvement in stability and flowability could be a worthwhile solution for dairy industries.     

Microwave measurement of powder moisture and density

A two-variable microwave technique, which has been suggested for density-independent in-line moisture content measurement has been studied for several brands of instant coffee and milk powder. The technique was found to provide a moisture measurement significantly less density-dependent than the usual microwave absorption method. A further refinement of the technique is reported, which not only eliminates the residual density dependence, and thus the error in the moisture measurement resulting from density variations, but also yields a simultaneous in-line determination of the bulk density of the product. The influence of temperature, solids composition and particle size of the coffee and milk powders on the calibration characteristics is also reported.     

Effect of spray‐drying parameters on the solubility and the bulk density of camel milk powder: A response surface methodology approach

Response surface methodology coupled with a Box–Behnken experimental design was used to investigate the effect of the air inlet drying temperature, the feed rate, and the fat content on the solubility and the bulk density of spray‐dried camel and cow milk powders. The response surface methodology analysis highlighted that milk fat content and feed rate were the most effective parameters affecting the solubility and the bulk density of cow and camel milk powders. Importantly, there was no significant interaction between the studied drying parameters and camel milk powder solubility or bulk density. Overall, camel milk powder exhibited a comparable solubility to that of cow milk powder with a higher bulk density.     

In-situ lecithination of dairy powders in spray-drying for confectionery applications

Powders are essential ingredients of chocolate. In particular for milk chocolate milk and whey powders are important, together with sucrose, lactose and cocoa solids. During processing to maintain a good flow of the molten chocolate mass, particles with hydrophilic surfaces, such as dairy powders and sugars, are coated with a surface-active compound. Only lecithin and polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) (at a limited level) are allowed in chocolate, and as these are expensive as little as possible is added, whilst maintaining rheological properties. Conventionally, lecithin is added during conching, and through the intense kneading of the chocolate mass it is distributed throughout the mass. Usually about 0.5% is added, although the level depends upon the composition of the chocolate. Here we present a new approach to lecithination of spray-dried milk and lactose powders, which we call in-situ lecithination. It has been found that the surface of a spray-dried powder is dominated by any surface-active species, and in a competitive situation, the most rapidly adsorbing species dominates. This behaviour is utilised when lecithin is added to the spray-dryer feed, and through the competitive adsorption of surface-active agents during the drying process, it dominates the powder surface composition as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). This is also seen in differences in sedimentation rate when the powders are mixed with cocoa butter to assess the rheological properties of the powder dispersions. The effect was large for lactose powders, but smaller for skim milk powder and whey powder.     

Characteristics of soy sauce powders spray-dried using dairy whey proteins and maltodextrins as drying aids

This study investigated the effect of adding whey protein isolate (WPI) as a complementary drying aid of maltodextrin (MD) on spray drying of soy sauce powders. Soy sauce powders were prepared by spray drying soy sauce liquid adding 5%, 10% and 15% of WPI respectively together with MD as the drying aids. Tests were conducted to evaluate the powder properties relevant to the caking issue of the soy sauce powders. Results showed that addition of just 5% WPI could significantly increase the product yield for the spray drying process. At the same time, the caking strength of the spray dried soy sauce powders were significantly reduced during storage with WPI addition. XPS results indicated that WPI have preferential migration to the surface of the soy sauce powder. The over-expression of WPI on powder surface after spray drying might explain the improved stability for soy sauce powders during the caking test.     

Heat stability of reconstituted, protein-standardized skim milk powders

We determined the effects of standardization material, protein content, and pH on the heat stability of reconstituted milk made from low-heat (LH) and medium-heat (MH) nonfat dry milk (NDM). Low-heat and MH NDM were standardized downward from 35.5% to 34, 32, and 30% protein by adding either edible lactose powder (ELP) or permeate powder (PP) from skim milk ultrafiltration. These powders were called standardized skim milk powders (SSMP). The LH and MH NDM and SSMP were reconstituted to 9% total solids. Furthermore, subsamples of reconstituted NDM and SSMP samples were set aside to measure heat stability at native (unadjusted) pH, and the rest were adjusted to pH 6.3 to 7.0. Heat stability is defined as heat coagulation time at 140°C of the reconstituted LH or MH NDM and SSMP samples. The entire experiment was replicated 3 times at unadjusted pH values and 2 times at adjusted pH values. At an unadjusted pH, powder type, standardization material, and protein content influenced the heat stability of the samples. Heat stability for reconstituted LH NDM and SSMP was higher than reconstituted MH NDM and SSMP. Generally, decreased heat stability was observed in reconstituted LH or MH SSMP as protein content was decreased by standardization. However, adding ELP to MH SSMP did not significantly change its heat stability. When pH was adjusted to values between 6.3 and 7.0, powder type, standardization material, and pH had a significant effect on heat stability, whereas protein content did not. Maximum heat stability was noted at pH 6.7 for both reconstituted LH NDM and SSMP samples, and at pH 6.6 for both reconstituted MH NDM and SSMP samples. Furthermore, for samples with adjusted pH, higher heat stability was observed for reconstituted LH SSMP containing PP compared with reconstituted milk from LH SSMP containing ELP. However, no statistical difference was observed in the heat stability of reconstituted milk from MH NDM and MH SSMP samples. We conclude that powder type (LH or MH) and effect of standardization material (ELP or PP) can help explain differences in heat stability. The difference in the heat stability of powder type may be associated with the difference in the pH of maximum heat stability and compositional differences in the standardization material (ELP or PP).     

Aflatoxin M1 in milk powders: Processing, homogeneity and stability testing of certified reference materials

As part of the certification campaign of three candidate reference materials for the determination of aflatoxin M₁ (AfM₁) in whole milk powders, homogeneity, short- and long-term stability tests of naturally contaminated milk powders have been performed. The homogeneity of two AfM₁-contaminated milk powders was studied by taking samples at regular intervals of the filling sequences and analysing in triplicate for their AfM₁ contents by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (LC-FLD) using random stratified sampling schemes. The homogeneity testing of an AfM₁ 'blank' milk powder material was performed by determining the nitrogen content because AfM₁ levels were below the limit of detection of the most sensitive determination method. The short-term stability of AfM₁-contaminated milk powders was evaluated at three different storage temperatures (4, 18 and 40°C). After storage times of 0, 1, 2 and 4 weeks, samples were investigated using LC-FLD. The long-term stability study comprised of measurements after 0, 6, 12 and 18 months after storage at -20 and 4°C. Analyses were done by LC-FLD. Based on the homogeneity tests, the materials were sufficiently homogenous to serve as certified reference materials. Corresponding uncertainty contributions of 0.23-0.89% were calculated for the homogeneity. The stability measurements showed no significant trends for both short- and long-term stability studies. The long-term stability uncertainties of the AfM₁-contaminated milk powders were 7.4 and 6.3%, respectively, for a shelf-life of 6 years and storage at -20°C. Supplementary stability monitoring schemes over a long period of several years are currently ongoing.     

Effects of milk powders in milk chocolate

The physical characteristics of milk powders used in chocolate can have significant impact on the processing conditions needed to make that chocolate and the physical and organoleptic properties of the finished product. Four milk powders with different particle characteristics (size, shape, density) and "free" milk fat levels (easily extracted with organic solvent) were evaluated for their effect on the processing conditions and characteristics of chocolates in which they were used. Many aspects of chocolate manufacture and storage (tempering conditions, melt rheology, hardness, bloom stability) were dependent on the level of free milk fat in the milk powder. However, particle characteristics of the milk powder also influenced the physical and sensory properties of the final products.     

Comparison of casein micelles in raw and reconstituted skim milk

During the manufacture of skim milk powder, many important alterations to the casein micelles occur. This study investigates the nature and cause of these alterations and their reversibility upon reconstitution of the powders in water. Samples of skim milk and powder were taken at different stages of commercial production of low-, medium-, and high-heat powders. The nature and composition of the casein micelles were analyzed using a variety of analytical techniques including photon correlation spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, turbidity, and protein electrophoresis. It was found that during heat treatment, whey proteins are denatured and become attached to the casein micelles, resulting in larger micelles and more turbid milk. The extent of whey protein attachment to the micelles is directly related to the severity of the heat treatment. It also appeared that whey proteins denatured during heat treatment may continue to attach to casein micelles during water removal (evaporation and spray-drying). The process of water removal causes casein and Ca in the serum to become increasingly associated with the micelles. This results in much larger, denser micelles, increasing the turbidity while decreasing the viscosity of the milk. During reconstitution, the native equilibrium between colloidal Ca and serum Ca is slowly reestablished. The reequilibration of the caseins and detachment of the whey proteins occur even more slowly. The rate of reequilibration does not appear to be influenced by shear or temperature in the range of 4 to 40°C.