Modification of physicochemical, structural, rheological, and organoleptic properties of sweetened condensed milk by maltodextrin, fructose, and lactose

Effects provided by sugar substitutes upon the quality indicators of model systems of sweetened condensed milk in storage

Sweetened condensed milk (SCM) is a product widely used by both consumers and other food production branches. However, it contains a lot of sucrose. This study aimed to examine the effects provided by sugar substitutes-trehalose, isomaltulose, and polydextrose-upon the SCM sensory profile and valuable quality indicators, such as water activity (Aw), viscosity, acidity, crystal size, and Maillard reaction potential (browning index, color change, loss of free AA). The study was performed by making model systems of SCM (MSCM) using the method of reconstitution of powdered ingredients. All the presented carbohydrate compositions in MSCM provided Aw value typical of intermediate-moisture food, which contributes to the long-term shelf life of the product. However, only 2 MSCM showed stability of Aw within a 14-d storage period: a composition of isomaltulose and trehalose (each at 22.55%), and a composition of trehalose (28.19%), sucrose (5.64%), polydextrose (5.64%), and isomaltulose (5.64%). Trehalose and polydextrose in MSCM with monocarbohydrate added fraction demonstrated their high structure-forming ability, expressed in high values of dynamic viscosity (>30 Pa·s). The MSCM containing a predominant amount of trehalose in the carbohydrate compositions (≥50%) showed lower average crystal size (<16 μm) compared with MSCM with di- and tetra-carbohydrate added fractions with predominant amounts of isomaltulose or polydextrose. Isomaltulose and polydextrose added to MSCM led to pronounced browning, whereas trehalose and sucrose reduced this effect in MSCM with di- and tetra-carbohydrate added fractions. Polydextrose added at 22.55% to carbohydrate fraction of MSCM caused bitterness, whereas the addition at 5.64% did not affect the taste. Based on the results of all the research conducted, the optimal carbohydrate compositions to produce SCM with fewer calories, lower sucrose content, and stable, adequate values of processing and sensory properties were trehalose (22.55%) with isomaltulose (22.55%), and trehalose (28.19%) with sucrose (5.64%), polydextrose (5.64%), and isomaltulose (5.64%).

The Impact of Varying Lactose-to-Maltodextrin Ratios on the Physicochemical and Structural Characteristics of Pasteurized and Concentrated Skim and Whole Milk-Tea Blends

This study investigates the impact of substituting lactose with maltodextrin in milk-tea formulations to enhance their physicochemical and structural properties. Various lactose-to-maltodextrin ratios (100:0, 90:10, 85:15, 80:20, 75:25) were evaluated in both post-pasteurized and concentrated skim milk-tea (SM-T) and whole milk-tea (WM-T) formulations. Concentration significantly improved the zeta potential, pH, and browning index in both SM-T and WM-T compared to pasteurization. L:M ratios of 90:10 and 75:25 in WM-T and 90:10 and 80:20 in SM-T showed higher phenolic preservation after concentration due to structural changes resulting from the addition of maltodextrin and water removal during prolonged heating. The preservation effect of phenolic components in both WM-T and SM-T is governed by many mechanisms including pH stabilization, zeta potential modulation, protein interactions, complex formation, and encapsulation effects. Therefore, optimizing milk-tea stability and phenolic preservation through L:M ratio adjustments provides a promising approach for enhancing milk-tea properties.

Process-Induced Molecular-Level Protein-Carbohydrate-Polyphenol Interactions in Milk-Tea Blends: A Review

The rapid increase in the production of powdered milk-tea blends is driven by a growing awareness of the presence of highly nutritious bioactive compounds and consumer demand for convenient beverages. However, the lack of literature on the impact of heat-induced component interactions during processing hinders the production of high-quality milk-tea powders. The production process of milk-tea powder blends includes the key steps of pasteurization, evaporation, and spray drying. Controlling heat-induced interactions, such as protein-protein, protein-carbohydrate, protein-polyphenol, carbohydrate-polyphenol, and carbohydrate-polyphenol, during pasteurization, concentration, and evaporation is essential for producing a high-quality milk-tea powder with favorable physical, structural, rheological, sensory, and nutritional qualities. Adjusting production parameters, such as the type and the composition of ingredients, processing methods, and processing conditions, is a great way to modify these interactions between components in the formulation, and thereby, provide improved properties and storage stability for the final product. Therefore, this review comprehensively discusses how molecular-level interactions among proteins, carbohydrates, and polyphenols are affected by various unit operations during the production of milk-tea powders.

Chitosan-Based Edible Coatings Containing Essential Oils to Preserve the Shelf Life and Postharvest Quality Parameters of Organic Strawberries and Apples during Cold Storage

Edible coatings and films have been researched for more than three decades due to their ability to be incorporated with different functional ingredients or compounds as an option to maintain the postharvest quality of fruits and vegetables. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three types of chitosan-based (CH) edible coatings obtained from medium and high molecular weight chitosan, containing ascorbic or acetic acid and sea buckthorn or grape seed essential oils on the physical-chemical and microbiological properties of organic strawberries and apple slices during cold storage at 4 °C and 8 °C. Scanning electron microscope images showed both a smooth structure and a fracture and pore structure on strawberry coatings and a dense and smooth structure on the apple slices coatings. Further, the edible coatings managed to reduce the microbial load of yeasts and molds of the coated strawberries during the storage period. Overall, the treatments preserved the ascorbic acid, total polyphenol content, and antioxidant activity for all the tested samples compared to the control sample, throughout the storage period. In addition, the water activity (a_w) of the coated samples presented lower values (0.96-0.98) than the control samples. The obtained results indicate that the developed chitosan-based edible coatings could maintain the postharvest parameters of the tested samples, also leading to their shelf-life prolongation.

Effects of polysaccharide-based coatings on postharvest storage life of grape: measuring the changes in nutritional, antioxidant and phenolic compounds

In this study, the effect of postharvest coating of chitosan (CH) 1.0%, gum ghatti (GG) 1.0% and combine of each other, on nutritional properties, phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of ‘Rishbaba’ grape (Vitis vinifera L.) was evaluated during 60 days of cold storage. Coating with 1.0% CH solely or in combined with 1.0% GG caused a considerable retain in grape berries phenolic acids compared to uncounted samples after the 60th day. Moreover, flavanols and flavan-3-ols content were found to be highest in fruits treated with CH and GG complex. At the end of storage, the highest concentrations of delphinidin, cyanidin, pelargonidin and malvidin were found in grapes coated with CH in combined with GG. The highest antioxidant capacity and the lowest polyphenol oxidase activity were related to samples treated with CH and GG complex. Also, the combination effects of CH and GG at 1.0% were the most efficient for soluble sugars and polyamines accumulation. The CH + GG complex had the best result on prohibiting grape fungal decay. The results showed a research increase of this complex that these are a strong potential strategy to produce coatings for improving the postharvest quality of fruits and could be considered as a good solution to preserve many components of them.

Characterization of functional sweetened condensed milk formulated with flavoring and sugar substitute

In the present study, the effect of sugar replacement and enrichment with cinnamon extract (CE) on the physicochemical, functional, and organoleptic properties of sweetened condensed milk (SCM) and the production of flavored functional dairy dessert was investigated. The results demonstrated that by adding CE (0.5 and 1%) and fructose sugar (50 and 100% replacement) in the formulation containing maltodextrin, the physicochemical, functional, and organoleptic properties of SCM samples were improved. However, adding fructose and CE at the maximum concentration increased the acidity, particle size, redness (a), yellowness (b) and decreased the lightness (L), viscosity, and sensory scores of the SCM samples (p < .05). Scanning electron microscopy images demonstrated that as the fructose level increased, the number of cavities increased, while the size of the cavities decreased (p < .05). Microstructure analysis also showed that the application of CE increased the density of the structure in the SCM samples. However, the SCM samples formulated with maltodextrin, 0.5% CE, and 50% fructose substitution were identified as optimal samples. Evaluation of the functional properties of SCM formulated with 0.5% CE revealed that the total phenolic content (TPC) and DPPH radical scavenging activity were in the range of 139.21-143.24 mg GAE / g and 50.12%-52.01%, respectively.