Processing Aids
When developing beverages, particularly those with low acidity, special considerations are necessary to ensure that the dairy proteins endure the heating process without degradation. For low acid beverages, it’s often crucial to incorporate a stabilizer such as carrageenan or gellan gum. These additives play a dual role: they protect the proteins and prevent them from interacting with each other, which can lead to instability.
Another important aspect to consider during the high heat processing typical of Ultra-High Temperature (UHT) methods is the Maillard reaction. This reaction can lower the pH of the beverage, potentially leading to protein instability. To counteract this effect, adding buffer salts (such as mono-, di-, or polyphosphates) is a common practice. These buffers help maintain a stable pH and can also chelate calcium, which might otherwise destabilize the proteins. While buffer salts are effective in stabilizing the beverage, they are often not considered clean label by some consumers, yet they are essential for enhancing the stability of the product.
Key contact
| Consideration | Detail | Solution | Purpose/ Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| stabilizers Needed | Low Acid beverages often Require the Addition of stabilizers | carrageenan, Gellan Gum | Protext Proteins, Prevent interaction and instability |
| High heat Processing | ultra-Hogh Temperatre (UHT)Processing invluves high heat that Can trigger the Maillard reaction. | Monitor and Control processing temperatures. | Prevent Undesirable reaction that can Lower pH and lead to Protein instability. |
| pH Instability from Maillard reaction | The Maillard reaction during UHT can Decrease pH, leading to Instability in Proteins. | adition of buffer salts (mono-, di-,or polyphosphates). | Maintain a stable pH, Chelate Calcium to Prevent protein destabilization. |
| Consumer Perception of Additives | Buffer salts, while Effective may not align with consumer Preference for Clean Label Products | Cleaner Alternatives. | Expectations for cleanlabel Products |
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