Lactose stability constants

The two main assumptions underlying the derivation of Eq. (5) are (1) thermodynamic equilibrium and (2) conditions of constant temperature and pressure. These assumptions, especially assumption number 1, however, are often violated in food systems. Most foods are nonequilibrium systems. The complex nature of food systems (i.e., multicomponent and multiphase) lends itself readily to conditions of nonequilibrium. Many food systems, such as baked products, are not in equilibrium because they experience various physical, chemical, and microbiological changes over time. Other food products, such as butter (a water-in-oil emulsion) and mayonnaise (an oil-in-water emulsion), are produced as nonequilibrium systems, stabilized by the use of emulsifying agents. Some food products violate the assumption of equilibrium because they exhibit hysteresis (the final c/w value is dependent on the path taken, e.g., desorption or adsorption) or delayed crystallization (i.e., lactose crystallization in ice cream and powdered milk). In the case of hysteresis, the final c/w value should be independent of the path taken and should only be dependent on temperature, pressure, and composition (i.e.,... 

Crystallization can be accounted for by the moisture dependence of Tg according to Roos and Karel (1991b). Crystallization releases water, which in closed containers is absorbed by the amorphous portion of the food. As a result when Tg drops, T-Tg increases and rapid crystallization follows. Products, which have high moisture transfer rates in the environment, will lose water, but the moisture content in the amorphous part remains fairly constant. Crystallization proceeds at a rate defined by a constant T-Tg. Crystallization leads to a complete change in physical structure. It may considerably decrease stability. Lactose crystallization in milk powders... 

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