Effect of seasonal variations on the acid gelation of milk

We investigated the effect of seasonal variations on the acid gelation properties of bovine milk in a seasonal-calving New Zealand herd for 2 full milking seasons. We tested the formation of acid gels in 2 milk systems: unstandardized skim milk and standardized whole milk (4.6% protein, 4.0% fat). For unstandardized skim milk, late-season milk acid gels had a longer gelation time and a lower gelation pH than early- and mid-season milk acid gels, but we found no consistent seasonal variation in the final storage modulus. For standardized milk, late-season milk had the most inferior acid gelation properties during the year, including the lowest final storage modulus, the lowest gelation pH, and the longest gelation time. Standardization alleviated but did not eliminate the prolonged gelation time of late-season milk. These results indicated that the physicochemical properties of seasonal milk contributed greatly to its acid gelation, independent of differences in protein content. Standardization was not adequate to stabilize the acid gelation properties of late-season milk. Desirable acid gelation properties correlated with lower glycosylated κ-casein content, lower β-lactoglobulin:α-lactalbumin ratio, lower extent of whey protein-casein micelle association, and lower total calcium and ionic calcium content. We discuss the possible effects of the correlating variables on the acid gelation properties of seasonal milk. Natural variations in the glycosylation degree of κ-casein might play an important role in acid gel structural development by altering the electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions among the milk proteins.

Combined Use of Trisodium Citrate and Transglutaminase to Enhance the Stiffness and Water-Holding Capacity of Acidified Yak Milk Gels

In this research, the synergistic effect of trisodium citrate (TSC) and microbial transglutaminase (TGase) treatment on the textural properties of acidified yak skim milk gels was investigated. TSC was added to yak skim milk to concentrations of 0, 20, and 40 mmol/L, followed by adjusting the pH to 6.7. The samples were incubated with TGase for the cross-linking reaction, after which the samples were acidified with 1.4% (w/v) gluconodelta-lactone (GDL) at 42°C for 4 h to form gels. The stiffness and water holding capacity (WHC) of gels exhibited higher values at 20 or 40 mmol/L than without TSC. The final storage modulus (G′) of yak milk gels was positively related to the concentration of TSC prior to TGase treatment. Cryoscanning electron microscopy observations showed that the gel networks were more rigid with higher TSC concentrations. Overall, TSC dissociated particles in yak milk into smaller ones. The newly formed particles in yak skim milk could form acid-induced gels with greater stiffness and higher WHC in the presence of TGase.

Effects of heating and calcium and phosphate mineral supplementation on the physical properties of rennet-induced coagulation of camel and cow milk gels

The physical properties of rennet-induced coagulation of preheated camel and cow milk gels (50 and 70 °C for 10 min) enriched with calcium chloride (CaCl2) and hydrogen phosphate dihydrate (Na2HPO42H2O) were evaluated using the dynamic low amplitude oscillatory shear analysis. The storage modulus (G') and loss modulus (G") of camel milk gels showed significant (P < 0·05) lower values than those of cow milk gels. The preheating of camel milk at 50 °C affected negatively the gelation properties, while the preheating at 70 °C prevented the formation of rennet-induced milk gels. No effect was observed on the gelation properties of cow milk gels. The CaCl2 added at 10 and 20 mM to preheated camel and cow milk reduced significantly (P < 0·05) the gelation time and increased the gel firmness. In contrast, Na2HPO42H2O added at 10 and 20 mM induced the formation of weak gels for preheated camel and cow milk at 50 °C, and even no gelation for preheated camel milk at 70 °C.

Rheological and physical properties of camel and cow milk gels enriched with phosphate and calcium during acid-induced gelation

The rheological properties of acid-induced coagulation of camel and cow milk gels following the addition of calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and hydrogen phosphate dehydrate (Na₂HPO₄*2H₂O) were investigated using a dynamic low amplitude oscillatory rheology. For a considered condition, the final values of storage modulus (G') and loss modulus (G″) of camel milk gels were significantly lower than those of cow milk gels. The increase of the added CaCl₂ levels improved significantly the gelation properties of camel and cow milk gels, since a reduction in the gelation time and an increase in the gel firmness were observed. Following the addition of Na₂HPO₄*2H₂O at 10 and 20 mM, no significant effect on the gelation rate and the firmness of camel milk gels was observed, while, a significant decrease in the gelation rate and firmness were observed for cow milk gels.

Determination of calcium-binding constants of caseins, phosphoserine, citrate and pyrophosphate: A modelling approach using free calcium measurement

Dairy products contain large amount of calcium which is bound to caseins and different chelating agents like citrate and polyphosphates. The present study aimed to determine the calcium-binding capacities of phosphoserine (SerP), caseinophosphopeptide (CPP), β-casein, caseinate, citrate and pyrophosphate in the same conditions of temperature, pH and ionic strength. The free calcium (Ca(2+)) was measured using a calcium ion-selective electrode and plotted as a function of total calcium concentration. The association constants and the number of calcium-binding sites were determined by fitting the experimental data to a theoretical model. The phosphate groups of caseins were the main binding sites with evidence for participation of carboxylate groups. The intrinsic association constants determined by the best fit of the data were in the order: pyrophosphate (557×10(3)M(-1))>citrate (20×10(3)M(-1))>β-casein (5×10(3)M(-1))>caseinate, CPP and SerP (∼10(3)M(-1)). These findings may be of interest for the development of calcium-enriched products to overcome calcium deficiency in specific populations.