Structural properties of stirred yoghurt as influenced by whey proteins

The effect of whey protein addition on structural properties of stirred yoghurt systems at different protein and fat content was studied using laser diffraction spectroscopy, rheology and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The composition of heated milk systems affected micro- and macroscopic properties of yoghurt gels. Particle size increased as a function of increasing whey protein content and decreased as a function of increased fat level. Firmness (elastic modulus) and apparent viscosity of manufactured yoghurt samples increased as a function of increased interparticle interactions, mainly caused by self-aggregation of whey proteins or aggregated whey protein-coated fat globules, respectively. The resistance towards shear-induced disruption of yoghurt gels increased with an increasing proportion of casein protein in the protein mixture, whereas products with high whey protein level revealed lower resistance behaviour towards shear-forces. CLSM images illustrated that the presence of large whey protein aggregates and lower number of fat globules lead to the formation of an interrupted and coarse gel microstructure characterised by large interstitial spaces. The higher the casein fraction and/or the fat level, the less interspaced voids in the network were observed. However, it is evident that the addition of whey proteins reinforces firmness properties of low-fat yoghurts comparable to characteristics of full-fat yoghurt.