Changes in the acid gelation of skim milk as affected by heat-treatment and alkaline pH conditions

Abstract

Abstract – In an attempt to improve the acid gelation properties of heated milk, or to reduce the heat load necessary to obtain significant acid gelation properties, skim milk adjusted at pH values ranging from 6.7 to 10.5 was heat-treated for 10 min at temperatures ranging from 25 to 95 °C then neutralised to pH 6.7. Protein composition of the serum and micellar phases of milk and separation of the protein particles present in the serum phase of milk indicated that formation of micelle-bound heat-induced whey protein/κ-casein aggregates was prevented from pH 7.5 upward, to the benefit of serum aggregates. Aggregates were formed in milk at pH 9.5 and 10.5 even at mild heating temperature (65–75 °C), while temperatures of 85 or 95 °C were necessary at lower pH values. Size of the aggregates decreased as pH of heat-treatment increased. Quality of the results was however reduced because of the extensive dissociation of caseins on alkaline treatment and of side mechanisms like Maillard reaction at high pH and temperature. However, some relationships could be found between the occurrence of aggregated whey protein and κ-casein and higher elastic modulus of the acid gels after heating at low temperature/high pH or high temperature/low alkaline pH values of skim milk.