Disruption and reassociation of casein micelles during high pressure treatment: influence of whey proteins

In the study presented in this article, the influence of added alpha-lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin on the changes that occur in casein micelles at 250 and 300 MPa were investigated by in-situ measurement of light transmission. Light transmission of a serum protein-free casein micelle suspension initially increased with increasing treatment time, indicating disruption of micelles, but prolonged holding of micelles at high pressure partially reversed HP-induced increases in light transmission, suggesting reformation of micellar particles of colloidal dimensions. The presence of alpha-la and/or beta-lg did not influence the rate and extent of micellar disruption and the rate and extent of reformation of casein particles. These data indicate that reformation of casein particles during prolonged HP treatment occurs as a result of a solvent-mediated association of the micellar fragments. During the final stages of reformation, kappa-casein, with or without denatured whey proteins attached, associates on the surface of the reformed particle to provide steric stabilisation.