Ultra-high pressure homogenisation process for production of reduced fat mayonnaise with similar rheological characteristics as its full fat counterpart

Abstract

Abstract The potential of (ultra) high pressure homogenisation (UHPH) for production of emulsion (example of mayonnaise) with 28% of sunflower oil without thickeners and artificial emulsifiers was investigated. For purposes of comparison, a commercially available full fat (CFFM) and low fat mayonnaise (CLFM) were analysed. The emulsions were characterized by measuring the fat droplet size distribution, structure by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and rheological properties applying flow and oscillatory tests one day after the processing. The droplet size and microscopic images of UHPH produced emulsion revealed smaller fat droplets and a more even distribution of components, compared to the CFFM and CLFM. Similar consistency index of UHPH low fat emulsion compared to the CFFM was obtained in pressure range from 250 to 300 MPa. In the same pressure range the UHPH emulsion showed higher firmness parameter compared to CFFM. The results of the study showed clear potential of UHPH technology for production of emulsion reduced in fat, free of additional thickeners and artificial emulsifiers. Industrial relevance text Mayonnaise is considered as one of the most popular sauces worldwide with high fat content. High pressure homogenisation (HPH) is a new continuous technique for preparation and stabilisation of emulsions, by means of significantly reducing the size of oil droplets and improving interactions between emulsifier and fat phase. This allows for production of oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions with reduced fat content. Further, emulsion with reduced amount of emulsifiers or completely free of thickeners can be produced. The results of this study could be of great importance for consideration of scale-up possibilities and future implementation of UHPH in food industry for production of low fat emulsions, having a clean label. Moreover, the process could stimulate interest in product development and optimisation of existing processes. A consumer friendly product reduced in fat and with clean label could be produced.