Approaches for improving the flowability of high-protein dairy powders post spray drying – A review

A comprehensive evaluation of milk protein molecular weight distribution based on exclusion chromatography dataset

Molecular weight is one of the main characteristic parameters of proteins, which is the basis for the functional properties of milk protein. This research aims at establishing molecular weight distribution pattern of milk protein based on exclusion chromatography. The method selected Na3PO4-Na2SO4 (0.1 M, pH 6.7) buffer as the mobile phase and detected at 220 nm by HPLC-UV. The protein molecular weight distributions were determined and compared for human milk, bovine milk, and infant formula. The proportion of macromolecular proteins is much higher in infant formula compared to human or bovine milk. The protein molecular weights of human and bovine milk are significantly different around 90, 20, 14, and 2 kDa. The results provide holistic compare of bovine milk, human milk, and infant formula through protein molecular distribution. The new evaluation indicators for protein will drive technological simulation of infant formula.

Physicochemical and bioactive constituents, microbial counts, and color components of spray-dried Syzygium cumini L. pulp powder stored in different packaging materials under two controlled environmental conditions

Currently, the demand for functional food items that impart health benefits has been rising. Blackberry (Syzygium cumini L.) fruit has high anthocyanin content and other functional attributes. However, this seasonal fruit is highly perishable, and a large proportion of it goes unharvested and wasted worldwide. Spray drying of the fruit pulp can impart improved shelf life, ensuring long-term availability for consumers to exploit its health benefits. The storage quality varies according to the type of packaging material and the storage environment. Therefore, in this study, the shelf life span of the spray-dried Syzygium cumini L. pulp powder (SSCPP) was investigated during 6 months of storage under three types of packaging materials (i.e., polystyrene, metalized polyester, and 4-ply laminates) in a low-temperature environmental (LTE) and at ambient environmental conditions. The physicochemical stability of bioactive principles (TPC and TAC), microbial counts, and color components were analyzed at 0, 2, 4, and 6 months of storage. There was a significant gradual loss of dispersibility and solubility with an increase in flowability, bulk density, and wettability during the entire storage period for all three packaging materials. The TSS, pH, TPC, TAC, and microbial counts decreased in the SSCPP both at ambient and LTE conditions during the study. Among all the packaging materials, the 4-ply laminate was found to be the most appropriate and safe for storage of spray-dried SCPP at LTE conditions.

Unravelling the Influence of Composition and Heat Treatment on Key Characteristics of Dairy Protein Powders Using a Multifactorial Approach

The purpose of this study was to improve understanding of the structural and functional property changes that milk-protein concentrates undergo during production, particularly how the manufacturing route (heat treatment position and intensity), standardization (in osmosed water or ultrafiltrate permeate) and formulation (casein:whey protein (Cas:WP) ratio) influence the physico-chemical characteristics-hygroscopicity, particle size, sphericity, density and evolution of browning during storage. To obtain a comprehensive understanding of the parameters responsible for the distinctive characteristics of different powders, a multifactorial approach was adopted. Hygroscopicity depended mainly on the standardizing solution and to a lesser extent the Cas:WP ratio. The particle size of the heat-treated casein-dominant powders was up to 5 μm higher than for those that had had no heat treatment regardless of the standardizing solution, which also had no influence on the sphericity of the powder particles. The density of the powders increased up to 800 kg·m-3 with a reduced proportion of casein, and lactose and whey proteins participated in browning reactions during storage at 13 °C. In increasing order, the modality of heat treatment, the standardizing solution and the Cas:WP protein ratio influenced the key characteristics. This work is relevant for industrial applications to increase control over the functionalities of powdered products.

Effect of cavitation jet technology on instant solubility characteristics of soymilk flour: Based on the change of protein conformation in soymilk

The protein conformation of soymilk is the key to affecting the instant solubility of soymilk flour. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cavitation jet treatment time (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 min) on the instant solubility of soymilk flour based on the conformational changes of protein in soymilk. The results showed that the cavitation jet treatment for 0-4 min significantly unfolded the protein structure of soymilk and increased the content of soluble protein, which reduced the particle size and increased the electrostaticrepulsion and the viscosity of soymilk. This was beneficial for soymilk droplets fully atomized and repolymerized in the spray drying tower, forming soymilk flour particles with large size, smooth surface, and uniform distribution. When the cavitation jet treatment time was 4 min, the wettability (from 127.3 ± 2.5 s to 84.7 ± 2.1 s), dispersibility (from 70.0 ± 2.0 s to 55.7 ± 2.1 s), and solubility (from 56.54% to 78.10%) of soymilk flour were significantly improved. However, when the time of the cavitation jet treatment was extended to 8 min, the protein of soymilk aggregated and the stability of soymilk decreased, which reduced the particle size and hurt the surfacecharacteristics of soymilk flour after spraydrying. It resulted in a decrease in the instant solubility of soymilk flour. Therefore, the cavitationjet treatment with proper time increases the instant solubility of soymilk flour by improving the protein conformation of soymilk.

Physical, Morphological, and Rheological Properties of Agglomerated Milk Protein Isolate Powders: Effect of Binder Type and Concentration

Milk protein isolate powder (MPIP), a high protein-based powder, is a common dietary ingredient but has poor physical properties due to its cohesive nature. Powder agglomeration is one of the most widely used methods to improve and modify the quality of MPIP structures. In this study, the physical, morphological, and rheological properties of MPIPs agglomerated in a fluidized-bed agglomeration process were investigated as a function of sugar binder type and concentration. The physical properties of MPIP were evaluated by their flowability, cohesiveness, porosity, particle size distribution (PSD), and water-holding properties (wettability, solubility, and water-binding capacity). The density values of the agglomerated MPIPs decreased with increasing the binder concentration, whereas the porosity, wettability, and solubility values increased. Such trends were consistent with SEM observations. The MPIP agglomerated with 10% sorbitol had the largest particle diameter (D₅₀) and showed better physical properties compared to the other sugar binders. The viscosity values (η_a,50) of the MPIPs agglomerated with sugar binders showed lower values than the control (no sugar binder). The agglomeration process enhanced the viscoelasticity of the MPIP, but the viscoelasticity decreased with increasing the sugar binder concentration. These observations suggested that the physical, morphological, and rheological properties of MPIP can be greatly affected by the binder type and concentration in the agglomeration process.

Pulmonary drug delivery technology enables anakinra repurposing in cystic fibrosis

Inflammation is a key pathological driver in cystic fibrosis (CF). Current therapies are ineffective in treating and preventing the escalation of inflammatory events often exacerbated by superimposed infection. In this work, we propose a novel treatment based on the pulmonary administration of anakinra, a non-glycosylated recombinant form of IL-1Ra. An inhalable dry powder of anakinra was successfully developed to meet the specific needs of lung drug delivery. The new formulation was investigated in vitro for aerodynamic performances and activity and in vivo for its pharmacological profile, including the pharmacokinetics, treatment schedule, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity and systemic toxicity. The protein was structurally preserved inside the formulation and retained its pharmacological activity in vitro immediately after preparation and over time when stored at ambient conditions. Anakinra when delivered to the lungs showed an improved and extended therapeutic efficacy in CF models in vivo as well as higher potency compared to systemic delivery. Peripheral side effects were significantly reduced and correlated with lower serum levels compared to systemic treatment. These findings provide proof-of-concept demonstration for anakinra repurposing in CF through the pulmonary route.

Effect of Nutritional Protein Food on Metabolism and Physical Fitness of Wushu Athletes

In order to greatly improve the physical function of martial arts athletes, this topic studies the effect of high-protein food on the physical function of martial arts athletes. Forty-five athletes in martial arts events took 5 g of high-protein food every day, 6 times a week for 4weeks, and the left and right forearm, calcaneus bone mineral density, and venous blood was drawn to detect bone metabolism and biochemical indicators related to physical function. The experimental results showed that the bone mineral density of the right calcaneus of male martial arts athletes increased significantly after taking high-protein food, and the bone mineral density of left and right forearms and calcaneus of female martial arts athletes increased significantly. After taking high-protein food, the serum calcium and phosphorus of female athletes and the serum calcium of male athletes were significantly increased. Sex decreased, female athletes significantly decreased serum creatine kinase, and male athletes significantly increased IgM. It can be seen that taking high-protein food for 4 weeks has a certain improvement effect on the bone mineral density of female athletes’ forearm and calcaneus, but has little effect on the bone mineral density of male athletes’ forearm and calcaneus. It can be concluded that high-protein food has no adverse effect on athletes’ bone metabolism, blood biochemical indexes, and immune globulin, and can better maintain the physical function level of martial arts athletes.

Ultrasound pretreatment prior to spray drying improve the flowability and water sorption properties of micellar casein concentrate

This research investigated the effect of ultrasound (US) pretreatment prior to spray drying on the powder flow and moisture sorption behaviour of micellar casein concentrate (MCC). MCC produced from skim milk microfiltration was sonicated at energy intensity of 0 (control), 47 J/mL (S-2000), 62 J/mL (S-3000) and 76 J/mL (S-4000). The results revealed that US pretreatment significantly increased the average particle size (D50) from 82.46 μm to 100.73 μm and reduced the surface fat content from 19.2% to 13.8%, resulting in decreased basic flow energy, cake energy and cohesion. Besides, the US treated samples showed relatively poor ability to acquire the moisture from the atmosphere than the control. Protein structure analysis showed that α-helix decreased with enhanced US power, while β-sheet and surface hydrophobicity increased, implying hydrophobic groups were exposed and water sorption rate was impeded. As a result, US pretreatment can improve the powder flow and potentially reduce the negative effect of cake formation at high humidity.

Spray dried powders for nasal delivery: Process and formulation considerations

Powders for nasal delivery have been recognized as advantageous dosage forms over liquids due to increased stability and residence time on nasal mucosa, with improved bioavailability. They can be manufactured by spray-drying, allowing the optimization of the particle properties that are critical to guarantee nasal deposition, as size and shape. It is also a scalable and flexible method already explored extensively in the pharmaceutical industry. However, it is important to understand how process parameters, particle physical properties and formulation considerations affect the product performance. Hence, this review aims to provide an overview of nasal powder formulation and processing through spray drying, with an emphasis on the variables that impact on performance. To this purpose, we describe the physical, biological and pharmacological phenomena prior to drug absorption as well as the most relevant powder properties. Formulation considerations including qualitative and quantitative composition are then reviewed, as well as manufacturing considerations including spray drying relevant parameters.

Mechanism of Particle Agglomeration for Single and Multi-Nozzle Atomization in Spray Drying: A Review

This paper reviews experimental works on the effects of single nozzle location and multi-nozzle atomization on the mechanism of particle agglomeration in spray drying. In addition to the naturally occurring primary agglomeration, forced and secondary agglomeration is observed as an effect of different nozzle positions or multiple-nozzle atomization in spray drying. Particle size diameters in the spray drying process for atomization from a single nozzle located at the top of the tower are larger than at the bottom of the tower because of the lower ambient air temperatures and longer residence time in the agglomeration zone. The trend of reduction in particle size is observed in all analyzed works when the nozzle is moved down towards the air inlet, due to droplets’ exposure to higher air temperatures and shorter residence time in the drying chamber. Conditions of droplet–droplet, dry–dry or sticky–dry collisions leading to the development of coalescence, agglomeration and rebound zones for multiple-nozzle atomization are described and discussed. Typically, log normal PSD was found for single-nozzle spraying whereas for multi nozzle arrangement, bi-modal particle size distribution was found both for drying in lab and industrial scale.