Optimization of ingredient levels for manufacturing malted milk beverage using response surface methodology

The malted milk beverage was prepared with varying levels of milk fat, wort and stabilizer–emulsifier mix using response surface methodology. Milk fat had a significant effect on all sensory attributes at the linear, quadratic or interactive levels. Wort level affected the flavour of the beverage at the linear ( P <  0.01) term. The addition of stabilizer–emulsifier mix enhanced the overall acceptability of the product by significantly affecting the flavour ( P <  0.01) and mouthfeel ( P <  0.01). The optimum levels of ingredients to manufacture acceptable quality malted milk beverages were 1.93 g/100 g milk fat, 62.96 g/100 g wort and 0.09 g/100 g stabilizer–emulsifier mix.