Dispersions of commercial casein and whey protein and laboratory-prepared soybean protein were studied in mixed dispersants of water with various aliphatic alcohols, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol and 2-propanol. Supernatant and protein sediments were separated by centrifugation in two steps: 1800 rpm 10 min, followed by centrifugation of the supernatant at 50000 rpm for 60 min (125000xg). A gel-like protein sediment obtained at low alcohol concentration by high-g centrifugation increased in amounts as a function of the alcohol concentration until it progressively transformed, with higher alcohol concentrations, into an opaque flock (precipitate), sedimenting at 1800 rpm. It was concluded that the sediment obtained by ultracentrifugation was a protein of increased density which was produced by partial and progressive dehydration and alcohol binding. The conversion of the sediment into a flock or precipitate is discussed in terms of the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of the protein and of the polar-nonpolar character of the dispersant.

This work underlines that the role of water, its flow properties and its expulsion from the spatial network during oral processing, cannot be neglected in understanding the relation between gelled food structures and its sensory perception. It is shown that the properties of the included water phase of semi-solids are important as this phase can boost the water content in the oral cavity, and thereby increase taste sensations like sweetness. Moreover, the included water phase also plays a crucial role in how the energy exerted onto the gel during palating is used for either fracture, stored or dissipated in or by the network. To demonstrate this, a series of mixed whey protein/polysaccharide cold-set gels have prepared that were studied for a number of rheological and sensorial properties. Also, information on the expulsed serum volume during uniaxial compression and the breakdown pattern of these gels in the oral cavity was determined. It is shown that expulsion of serum from a gel during oral processing can be substantial and set by the morphology of the formed gel and the stiffness of the matrix. This expulsed serum volume is directly proportional to taste response. Moreover, it is found that both the viscous and elastic flow of serum through the gel upon deformation contribute to the perceived crumbliness of gels by lowering the recoverable energy. The elastic contribution of polysaccharides in the serum impairs with the energy available for fracture during oral processing, thereby affecting the sensory spreadability of the product.

The emulsifying properties of six commercial milk protein products were studied. The products were separated into one of two groups depending on whether they contained aggregated (micellar) casein or disordered protein (casein or whey protein). Disordered proteins had a greater emulsifying ability than aggregated proteins. Dispersion of aggregated protein in dissociating buffer improved the emulsifying ability. Comparison of emulsion properties in simple oil-in-water emulsions with those in a model coffee whitener formulation showed that the lower emulsifying ability of aggregated protein could be partially compensated by other ingredients.

Health benefits are associated with polyunsaturated fatty acids, but their sensitivity to oxidation may generate toxic oxidation species. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of milk proteins (casein, whey protein) and surfactants (Citrem, Tween 20) on the in vitro digestion and oxidation of linseed oil emulsions. The emulsion produced with Tween 20 resisted coalescence in the gastric phase and showed the highest concentrations of free fatty acids and reactive carbonyl compounds in the intestinal digestion phase. The Citrem-stabilized emulsion showed extensive coalescence in the gastric environment, which reduced lipolysis and the formation of advanced oxidation species. The protein-stabilized emulsions showed aggregation with some coalescence in the gastric phase, and casein provided better protection than whey protein against oxidation. This study suggests that the mechanism of emulsion destabilization in the gastric environment and the type of protein can modulate lipolysis and oxidation during in vitro digestion.

International audience | Use of nanonized curcumin-whey protein (CWP) composite particles as Pickering stabilizers are an attractive strategy due to their edibility and natural origin. This study aimed to examine the effect of physico-chemical conditions (pH, ionic strength, protein form) during the formation of CWP composite nanoparticles on their physico-chemical characteristics (size, surface charge, morphology) and further their Pickering ability by influencing their aptitude to stabilize oil/water interfaces. Our study demonstrated that, to favor the protein-curcumin interactions and to improve the particle characteristics (smaller size, monodispersity), one should increase the accessibility of hydrophobic moiety of proteins (denaturation) and control ionic strength. Increasing the concentration of the CWP composite nanoparticles decreased size and polydispersity enhancing emulsion stability. Use of these CWP composite nanoparticles in food products with high ionic strength will tend to flocculation and thereby emulsions destabilization. This work allows for a better understanding of the role of physico-chemical conditions on the formation of CWP composite nanoparticles and thereof their oil/water interfacial activity.