Whey protein emulsification properties

Whey protein concentrates (WPC), which are relatively new forms of milk protein products available for emulsification uses, have also been studied (4,28,29). WPC products prepared by gel filtration, ultrafiltration, metaphosphate precipitation and carboxymethyl cellulose precipitation all exhibited inferior emulsification properties compared to caseinate, both in model systems and in a simulated whipped topping formulation (2. However, additional work is proceeding on this topic and it is expected that WPC will be found to be capable of providing reasonable functionality in the emulsification area, especially if proper processing conditions are followed to minimize protein denaturation during their production. Such adverse effects on the functionality of WPC are undoubtedly due to their Irreversible interaction during heating processes which impair their ability to dissociate and unfold at the emulsion interface in order to function as an emulsifier (22). 

Kuehler and Stine (43) studied the functional properties of whey protein with respect to emulsifying capacity as affected by treatment with three proteolytic enzymes. Two microbial proteases and pepsin were examined. The emulsion capacity decreased as proteolysis continued, suggesting that there is an optimum mean molecular size of the whey proteins contributing to emulsification. 

McCrae, C.H., Law, A.J.R., and Leaver, J. 1999. Emulsification properties of whey proteins in their natural environment effect of whey protein concentration at 4 and 18% milk fat. Food Hydrocoil. 13, 389-399. 

A whey protein hydrolysate BioZate , containing ACE-inhibitory peptide was recently developed by Davisco Foods International Inc. The effect on blood pressure was studied with 30 unmedicated, non-smoking, borderline hypertensive men and women, and daily dose was 20 g. The results indicated that there was a significant drop in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure after 1-week treatment, which persisted throughout the study of 6 weeks. The application of this product is varied and flexible. In addition to the bioactive peptides, it has functional properties such as emulsification and foaming (Klink, 2002). 

The casein retentate, when used as cheese milk, can almost be fully depleted of all whey proteins through a sufficient number of diafiltration volume turnovers. In contrast to conventional cheese technology, it is then possible to UHT treat the cheese milk in order to destruct spore formers. The whey proteins can be used as a WPG or WPI product or treated further in order to fractionate the whey proteins in their main components. Alternatively the whey proteins can particulated to form WPP see Section 19.5.1. Both approaches are options to build a platform for novel product matrices with specific properties such as gelling, foaming or emulsification. 

As with other viscous polyanions such as carrageenan, pectin may be protective towards milk casein colloids, enhancing the properties (foam stability, solubility, gelation and emulsification) of whey proteins whilst utilizing them as a source of calcium. 

The dissociation of a quaternary structure or denaturation of proteins is required prior to emulsification. Therefore, casein micelles are adsorbed at an interface in a semi-intact form (Oortwijn et al., 1977). The thermal denaturation of globular proteins prior to emulsification was reported to improve the emulsifying properties. The high level of the thermally denatured whey protein fraction in mixed proteins (of denatured and undenatured proteins) increased the emulsion viscosity and coalescence stability compared with the low-level denatured fraction (Britten et al., 1994). 

The valuable component of cheese whey is not the lactose but the whey proteins, primarily lactalbumin. The amino acid profile of these proteins is superior nutritionally to casein and is equal to or better than whole egg protein. The heat-denatured form of these proteins has been manufactured for many years usually by heating the cheese whey to precipitate the proteins. The product was tan colored and completely insoluble. With the advent of UF, these proteins could be recovered, concentrated and demineralized athermally. The result was a "whey protein concentrate" (WPC) with improved solubility and other functional properties (emulsification, foamability, water binding, gelation and cloud stability). 

One of the current approaches to the improvement of the functional properties of proteins is enzymatic hydrolysis [148], The emulsifying ability of soy protein isolate can be increased by treatment with neutral fungal protease however, this treatment decreases emulsion stability [163], Partial hydrolysis of fish protein concentrate improves both emulsification and stability [164]. On the other hand, treatment of whey protein concentrate with pepsin, pronase, and pro-lase leads to a decrease in emulsification ability, suggesting that there... 

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