Effect of freezing on the viscoelastic behaviour of whey protein concentrate suspensions

The effect of freezing on viscoelastic behaviour of whey protein concentrate (WPC) suspensions was studied. Suspensions with total protein content of 5% and 9% w/v were prepared from a commercial WPC (unheated suspensions). A group of unheated suspensions was treated at two temperatures (72.5 and 77.5 °C) during selected times to obtain 60% of soluble protein aggregates (heat-treated suspensions). Unheated suspensions and heat-treated suspensions were frozen at −25 °C (frozen unheated and frozen heat-treated suspensions). Frequency sweeps (0.01–10 Hz) were performed in the region of linear viscoelasticity at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 °C. Mechanical spectra of all studied suspensions at 20 °C were similar to viscoelastic fluids and complex viscosity increased with the frequency (ω). Elastic (G′) and viscous (G″) moduli were modelled using power law equations (G′ = aω^x, G″ = bω^y), using fitted parameters a, x, b, and y for statistical analysis. Exponent y was the most influenced by freezing, indicating the existence of a higher degree of arrangement in frozen unheated suspensions and a lower degree of arrangement in frozen heat-treated suspensions. Only characteristic relaxation times (inverse of the crossover frequency) of suspensions with 5% w/v of total protein content were significantly influenced by freezing. Time–temperature superposition was satisfactory applied in unheated whey protein concentrate suspensions only in the range of high temperatures (30–50 °C). However, this principle failed over the complete temperature range in most of the frozen suspensions. It is possible that freezing produced an increase in the susceptibility to morphological changes with temperature during the rheological measurements.     

Rheology and microstructure of cross-linked waxy maize starch/whey protein suspensions

The objective of the present work was to investigate the effect of the heating process on the structural and rheological properties of whey protein isolate/cross-linked waxy maize starch (WPI/CWMS) blends depending upon the concentration and the starch/whey protein ratio. Starch concentration ranged from 3 to 4% (w/w) and the protein content was of 0.5, 1 and 1.5% (w/w). The blend (pH 7, 100 mM ionic strength) was heated using a jacketed vessel at two pasting temperatures: 90 and 110 °C. The particle size distribution of the WPI suspension (1.5%) displayed three distinct classes of aggregates (0.3, 65 and 220 μm), whereas the size of swollen starch granules varied from 48 to 56 μm according to the pasting temperature. When the two components were mixed together, the peak attributed to swollen starch granules was attenuated and broadened towards higher values (up to 88 μm) due to protein aggregates (260–410 μm). This effect was more pronounced as the protein concentration increased. When compared to starch alone, the rheology of the mixed system was dramatically modified for the flow behaviour as well as for the viscoelastic properties which changed from a solid-like (3–4% starch) to a liquid-like behaviour (3–4% starch/1.5% protein). Microscopic observations showed aggregated proteins located in the continuous phase and swollen starch granules as the dispersed phase. Protein aggregates were of different sizes, part of them appeared adsorbed onto swollen starch granules while another part was unevenly distributed in the continuous phase, yielding discontinuous network which could explain the peculiar viscoelastic behaviour of such suspensions.     

Changes in physicochemical and functional properties of whey protein concentrate upon succinylation

The highest degree of succinylation was achieved at the level of 6 moles of succinic anhydride/mole of lysine in whey protein concentrate (WPC). Structural modification of protein or the presence of a high negative charge on the surface of protein upon succinylation exposed buried hydrophobic sites. The solubility of succinylated protein derivatives increased at alkaline pH but decreased at acidic pH values as compared to native WPC. The physicochemical properties of succinylated protein derivatives, such as water– and oil– binding capacity, viscosity and emulsion properties increased significantly (P < 0.05) compared to native WPC, whereas, foaming stability reduced significantly (P < 0.05) and there was no change in the foaming capacity.     

Characterisation of soluble aggregates from commercial whey protein concentrate suspensions: Effect of protein concentration,pH, and heat treatment conditions

Soluble aggregates obtained from heat‐treated suspensions of commercial whey protein concentrate with 74.4% w/w protein were characterised. The effect of protein concentration (7 and 8% w/w), pH (7.0, 7.5 and 8.0), and heating time (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 min) at 80 °C were evaluated. Whey protein concentrate suspensions with the highest protein concentration (8% w/w) and the lowest pH (pH 7.0) had the highest steady shear viscosity and absorbance values, indicating the effect of the soluble aggregate content (high concentration) and the aggregate size (at lower pH values). According to principal component analysis, samples with 8% w/w and pH 7.0 were grouped in a plot region that confirmed the behaviour observed by confocal microscopy. Those whey protein concentrate suspensions could have soluble aggregates with a strong probability of interacting with cations (in cold gelation applications such as microencapsulation) and with each other (in film‐formation during coating).     

Effect of whey protein concentrate addition on the physical properties of homogenized sweetened dairy creams

The influence on their whipping properties of homogenization at first and second stage pressures of 3.5/1.5 MPa and addition of whey protein concentrate (WPC) powder at three different (0.7, 1.4, and 2.1 wt percentage) concentrations to sweetened and homogenized creams was studied. Homogenization of cream significantly decreased maximum overrun and made the foam microstructure less open, while increasing whipping time, cream and foam lightness (Hunter L -value) and apparent viscosity. It also resulted in a less elastic foam structure with an increased drainage. Addition of WPC decreased the amount of maximum overrun, foam drainage and its lightness in parallel with developing a more compact microstructure. It increased the whipping time, apparent viscosity of unwhipped creams and foams, and resulted in a less elastic foam structure. The apparent viscosity of whipped cream with 2.1 wt percentage WPC, however, was lower than that of whipped cream with 1.4 wt percentage WPC, due most probably to the start up of gel formation at 2.1% WPC concentration in sweetened cream when it was sheared. Fresh foam whipped from sweetened cream with 2.1 wt percentage WPC also tended to have a slightly but not statistically significant lower elastic modulus (G') than fresh foam whipped from sweetened cream with 1.4 wt percentage WPC. This concentration can be considered as the critical value for gel formation in sweetened creams enriched by whey proteins when sheared. This study indicated the potential of WPC powder for reducing foam drainage from whipped homogenized sweetened cream.     

Texture of nonfat yoghurt as influenced by whey protein concentrate and Gum Tragacanth as fat replacers

Seven batches of nonfat yoghurt stabilized with different concentrations of whey protein concentrate (WPC) and Gum Tragacanth (GT) were produced to study the effects of WPC and GT as fat replacers on the rheological properties of yoghurt. By increasing the WPC up to 15 g/L, storage modulus (G'), loss modulus (G") and complex dynamic viscosity (η*) values were increased and sensory impressions of texture and appearance were improved when compared with the control nonfat yoghurt. Addition of gum above 0.5 g/L led the decrease of G', G", η* and resulted in lower scores for sensory attributes than control nonfat yoghurt.     

Estimating the quantity of egg white and whey protein concentrate in prepared crabstick using ELISA

Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) technique was used to identify and quantify the use of dried egg white (DEW) and whey protein concentrate (WPC) in crabsticks. The use of SDS–PAGE for the quantification of protein additives has had limited success due to the high shear and high temperature processes of surimi crabstick. Monoclonal (anti-heat-denatured ovalbumin) and polyclonal (anti-β-lactoglobulin) antibodies were used. Antibodies showed no significant cross-reactivity with non-target crabstick proteins. An optimised extraction solution of 10% SDS and 2.5% 2-ME yielded high extractability with improved consistency. Quantification of DEW and WPC was achieved using the optimised extraction solution and indirect ELISA. Estimated DEW values were within 7% of actual values, WPC samples were within 17%. Inter-assay coefficients of variance for DEW ranged from 0.9% to 3.1% and those of the WPC were 1.0–8.0%.     

Effect of heat treatment and solution preparation procedure on colloidal stability of whey protein sour cherry beverage

In this study, a whey protein sour cherry beverage was prepared using whey protein concentrate, sour cherry concentrate, Angum gum, water and sugar as initial ingredients. Whey protein concentrate and gum solutions were prepared by four methods. Heat treatment of the solutions led to denaturation of proteins, a change in the solubility of proteins and sediment formation. Our results showed that denaturation of proteins made the peptide fragments of the proteins to bind the gum, thus preventing the separation of the serum.     

Developments in whey protein and lactose permeate production processes and their relationship to specific product attributes

This paper reviews recent developments in whey processing and the production of whey protein concentrate and lactose permeate powders with particular reference to a new whey processing facility in the Netherlands. The processes have been designed to optimise product quality with the whey protein concentrate targeted for use in nutritional applications and the permeate powder for use in lactose replacement.     

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.     

Interfacial dynamic properties of whey protein concentrate/polysaccharide mixtures at neutral pH

The effect of two non-surface active polysaccharides (sodium alginate, SA, and λ-carrageenan, λ-C) in the aqueous phase on the surface dynamic properties (dynamic surface pressure and surface dilatational properties) of a commercial milk whey protein concentrate (WPC) adsorbed film at the air–water interface has been studied. A whey protein isolate (WPI) was used as reference. The WPC and WPI concentration (at 1.0% wt), temperature (at 20 °C), pH (7), and ionic strength (at 0.05 M) were maintained constant, while the effect of polysaccharide (PS) was evaluated within the concentration range 0.0–1.0% wt. The surface dynamic properties of the adsorbed films were measured in an automatic pendant drop tensiometer. At short adsorption time and in the presence of PS, the rate of diffusion of WPC to the interface was affected by the interactions with PS in the aqueous phase, which could limit protein availability for the adsorption. On the other hand, at long-term adsorption, the magnitudes of the molecular penetration and configurational rearrangement rates of WPC in mixed systems (WPC/PS) reflected the viscoelastic characteristics of the adsorbed films. The attractive interactions between WPC and PS and/or the WPC aggregation in the presence of PS, which depend on the proper polysaccharide and its concentration in the aqueous phase, have an effect on the adsorption kinetic parameters, the amount of WPC adsorbed at the air–water interface, and the dilatational viscoelastic characteristics of WPC/PS mixed systems.     

乳清浓缩蛋白在酸奶生产中的应用

以鲜奶，奶粉，乳清蛋白等乳成分为主要原料，研究了乳清浓缩蛋白在酸奶生产中的制做方法，对乳清浓缩蛋白代替部分高档脱脂奶粉生产酸奶产品的保水率，粘度，口感及组织状态进行了比较分析。结果表明，在酸奶生产中，添加一定的浓缩乳清蛋白代替高档脱脂奶粉是可行的，产品较为理想。     

Influence of whey protein concentrate on the rheological characteristics of dough, microstructure and quality of unleavened flat bread (parotta)

In order to explore the possibility of using WPC as a functional ingredient in Indian traditional product – South Indian Parotta investigations were made to study the effect of replacement of wheat flour with 5, 10 and 15% WPC on the farinograph, extensograph, amylograph characteristics of wheat flour, quality of parotta and microstructure of baked parotta. The results showed an increase in farinograph stability, extensograph resistance to extension up to 10% WPC and a decrease in the farinograph water absorption, extensograph extensibility, amylograph peak viscosity, cold paste viscosity, breakdown and setback values with an increase in the level of WPC from 0% to 15%. The quality characteristics of parotta showed that the spread ratio decreased and shear force values increased significantly above 5% level. Control parotta and parotta with 5% WPC were soft, possessed thin and transparent layers whereas parottas beyond 5% WPC had thick, fused and opaque layers. The parottas with 5% WPC were rated good. The quality characteristics of parotta were adversely affected beyond 5% level of WPC. The microstructure of the top and middle layer of baked parotta with 5% WPC showed that there was a disruption in the continuity of the gluten matrix.     

Stability of oil‐in‐water emulsions as influenced by thermal treatment of whey protein dispersions or emulsions

Properties of whey protein concentrate stabilised emulsions were modified by protein and emulsion heat treatment (60–90 °C). All liquid emulsions were flocculated and the particle sizes showed bimodal size distributions. The state and surface properties of proteins and coexisting protein/aggregates in the system strongly determined the stability of heat‐modified whey protein concentrate stabilised emulsions. The whey protein particles of 122–342 nm that formed on protein heating enhanced the stability of highly concentrated emulsions. These particles stabilised protein‐heated emulsions in the way that is typical for Pickering emulsions. The emulsions heated at 80 and 90 °C gelled due to the aggregation of the protein‐coated oil droplets.     

Viability of probiotic micro-organisms during storage, postacidification and sensory analysis of fat-free yogurts with added whey protein concentrate

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of the addition of whey protein concentrate (WPC) on the viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum and on postacidification throughout the shelf life of fat-free yogurts, and also to analyse the sensory characteristics of the products. Postacidification was not significantly changed by the addition of WPC, but was decreased by Lactobacillus bulgaricus inoculation. WPC did not influence the viability of the lactic acid bacteria ( L. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus ), but it improved the growth and survival of the micro-organisms L. acidophilus and B. longum , especially the former. The panellists did not identify significant differences ( P <  0.05) of the yogurts due to the addition of WPC.     

Production of a high gel strength whey protein concentrate from cheese whey

In order to develop a process for the production of a whey protein concentrate (WPC) with high gel strength and water-holding capacity from cheese whey, we analyzed 10 commercially available WPC with different functional properties. Protein composition and modification were analyzed using electrophoresis, HPLC, and mass spectrometry. The analyses of the WPC revealed that the factors closely associated with gel strength and water-holding capacity were solubility and composition of the protein and the ionic environment. To maintain whey protein solubility, it is necessary to minimize heat exposure of the whey during pretreatment and processing. The presence of the caseinomacropeptide (CMP) in the WPC was found to be detrimental to gel strength and water-holding capacity. All of the commercial WPC that produced high-strength gels exhibited ionic compositions that were consistent with acidic processing to remove divalent cations with subsequent neutralization with sodium hydroxide. We have shown that ultrafiltration/diafiltration of cheese whey, adjusted to pH 2.5, through a membrane with a nominal molecular weight cut-off of 30,000 at 15 degrees C substantially reduced the level of CMP, lactose, and minerals in the whey with retention of the whey proteins. The resulting WPC formed from this process was suitable for the inclusion of sodium polyphosphate to produce superior functional properties in terms of gelation and water-holding capacity.     

Antioxidant activity,functional properties and bioaccessibility of whey protein hydrolysates

The main objective of this study was to produce the functionally improved whey protein hydrolysate with high bioaccessible antioxidant activity. The hydrolysate with highest antioxidant activity, mainly composed of hydrophilic antioxidant peptides and suitable for preventing oxidation in polar food matrices, was produced by tryptic hydrolysis conducted at 37 °C and an enzyme/substrate (E/S) ratio of 0.5%. The hydrolysate exerted significantly improved antioxidant activity (80.0%), digestibility (95.9%) and bioaccessibility (124.6%) compared to the native whey proteins (32.1%, 87.1% and 106.3%, respectively) as widely used food supplement. The high bioaccessibility indicates the preservation of hydrolysate bioactivity during the process of gastrointestinal digestion, as a particular challenge in its application.     

Effect of whey protein concentrate,pH and salt on colloidal stability of acid dairy drink (Doogh)

Serum separation of Doogh, an Iranian yoghurt drink, is a major problem. In this study, the effects of whey protein concentrate (WPC) addition, pH of the product and dissolved salt (sodium chloride) in milk on the colloidal stability of Doogh were investigated. By increasing the amount of WPC (from 0.5 to 3%) and salt in milk (from 0 to 1.6%), the serum separation decreased. Increasing pH values of sample (from 3.5 to 4.5), WPC (from 0.5 to 4%) and salt concentration in milk (from 0 to 2%) also increased the samples’ viscosity. All samples showed Newtonian behaviour except samples at pH 4.5, containing 4% WPC and 2% dissolved salt in milk.     

Influence of whey protein concentrate, additives, their combinations on the quality and microstructure of vermicelli made from Indian T. Durum wheat variety

Effect of whey protein concentrate (5%, 7.5%, 10%) and additives on the quality of vermicelli made from Indian durum wheat was studied. The results revealed that with increase in whey protein concentrate (WPC) from 0% to 10%, cooked vermicelli weight increased from 82.5 to 88 g/25 g, cooking loss increased from 6.0 to 8.4%, L values indicating lightness increased (47.42–52.9); b values indicating yellowness decreased (7.0–3.80) and shear force decreased (66–45 g). Sensory evaluation of vermicelli with 5%, 7.5%, 10% WPC showed that addition of above 5% WPC resulted in whitish colour vermicelli with mashy strand quality and sticky mouthfeel. Studies on the effect of additives namely ascorbic acid (0.01% and 0.015%), gluten (1.5% and 3.0%) and glycerol monostearate (GMS) (0.25% and 0.5%) individually as well as in combination on the quality of vermicelli with 5% WPC indicated that combination of 0.01% ascorbic acid, 3% gluten and 0.5% GMS resulted in vermicelli having lower cooking loss, creamy yellow colour, firm, discrete strands and non-sticky mouthfeel. The protein content of vermicelli with 5% WPC and combination of additives was 16% as against 11.5% of control vermicelli. Scanning electron microscopy study of control vermicelli, vermicelli with 5% WPC and vermicelli with 5% WPC and combination of additives revealed that vermicelli with 5% WPC showed a rough surface with a prominent rupture while vermicelli with 5% WPC and combination of additives showed a continuous, rupture free structure.