title: Formation of elastic whey protein gels at low pH by acid equilibration.
abstract: Whey protein gels have a weak/brittle texture when formed at pH <or= 4.5, yet this pH is required to produce a high-protein, shelf-stable product. We investigated if gels could be made under conditions that produced strong/elastic textural properties then adjusted to pH <or= 4.5 and maintain textural properties. Gels were initially formed at 15% w/w protein (pH 7.5). Equilibration in acid solutions caused gel swelling and lowered pH because of the diffusion of water and H(+) into the gels. The type and concentration of acid, and presence of other ions, in the equilibrating solutions influenced pH, swelling ratio, and fracture properties of the gels. Swelling of gels decreased fracture stress (because of decreased protein network density) but caused little change to fracture strain, thus maintaining a desirable strong/elastic fracture pattern. We have shown that whey protein isolate gels can be made at pH <or= 4.5 with a strong/elastic fracture pattern and the magnitude of this pattern can be altered by varying the acid type, acid concentration, pH of equilibrating solution, and equilibrating time.
authors.affiliation: Food Science Program, Div. of Food Systems & Bioengineering, Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
authors.forename: Bongkosh
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vardhanabhuti
authors.forename: Worarat
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Khayankan
authors.forename: E Allen
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Foegeding
mesh_terms: D019343:Citric Acid; D004548:Elasticity; D005526:Food, Formulated; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry*; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D010756:Phosphoric Acids; D033081:Shear Strength; D000067816:Whey Proteins
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D008894:Milk Proteins; D010756:Phosphoric Acids; D000067816:Whey Proteins; D019343:Citric Acid; C030242:phosphoric acid; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid