Method of producing concentrated or dried acid-gellable whey protein aggregates, and related compositions and food products

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel method for preparing acid-gellable whey protein aggregates in the form of concentrated suspensions or powders. Moreover, the present invention relates to a novel composition containing the acid-gellable whey protein aggregates, to a food product ingredient comprising the novel type of acid-gellable whey protein composition, and to a food product comprising the novel type of acid-gellable whey protein composition.

1 .- 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . An acid-gellable whey protein powder composition having a total amount of protein of at least 60% (w/w) relative to the dry weight of the powder composition and comprising at least 40% (w/w) denatured whey protein particles relative to the total amount of protein, wherein at least 50% (w/w) of the denatured whey protein particles are acid-gellable whey protein aggregates. 
     
     
         27 . The acid-gellable whey protein powder composition according to  claim 26  having a total amount of protein of 80-99% (w/w) relative to the dry weight of the powder composition, more preferably 85-99% (w/w), and most 90-99% (w/w) relative to the dry weight of the powder composition. 
     
     
         28 . The acid-gellable whey protein powder composition according to  claim 26  wherein the amount of denatured whey protein particles in the powder composition is 50-95% (w/w) relative to the total amount of protein. 
     
     
         29 . The acid-gellable whey protein powder composition according to  claim 26  wherein the amount of denatured whey protein particles in the powder composition is 60-95% (w/w) relative to the total amount of protein. 
     
     
         30 . The acid-gellable whey protein powder composition according to  claim 26  wherein the amount of denatured whey protein particles in the powder composition is 70-95% (w/w) relative to the total amount of protein. 
     
     
         31 . The acid-gellable whey protein powder composition according to  claim 26  wherein the amount of denatured whey protein particles in the powder composition is at least 90% (w/w) relative to the total amount of protein. 
     
     
         32 . The acid-gellable whey protein powder composition according to  claim 26  wherein the amount of acid-gellable whey protein aggregates in the powder composition is at least 60% (w/w) of the denatured whey protein particles. 
     
     
         33 . The acid-gellable whey protein powder composition according to  claim 26  wherein the amount of acid-gellable whey protein aggregates in the powder composition is at least 60% (w/w) of the denatured whey protein particles, such as at least 70% (w/w), such as at least 80% (w/w), such as at least 90% (w/w) of the denatured whey protein particles. 
     
     
         34 . The acid-gellable whey protein powder composition according to  claim 26  wherein the amount of insoluble matter in the powder composition is at most 1% (v/v) relative to the dry weight of the powder composition. 
     
     
         35 . The acid-gellable whey protein powder composition according to  claim 26  wherein the bulk density of the acid-gellable whey protein powder composition is at least 0.20 g/mL. 
     
     
         36 . The acid-gellable whey protein powder composition according to  claim 26  wherein the bulk density of the acid-gellable whey protein powder composition is at least 0.25 g/mL. 
     
     
         37 . The acid-gellable whey protein powder composition according to  claim 26  wherein the bulk density of the acid-gellable whey protein powder composition is at least 0.30 g/mL. 
     
     
         38 . A food product comprising the acid-gellable whey protein powder composition according to  claim 26 . 
     
     
         39 . The food product according to  claim 38  comprising:
 a total amount of protein of 4.5-5.0% (w/w) relative to the total weight of food product, 
 1.0-1.5% (w/w) acid-gellable whey protein aggregates relative to the total weight of food product, 
 at most 0.2% (w/w) fat relative to the total weight of food product, and 
 5-7% (w/w) lactose relative to the total weight of food product. 
 
     
     
         40 . The food product according to  claim 38  comprising:
 a total amount of protein of 3-7% (w/w) relative to the total weight of food product, 
 0.2-2.0% (w/w) acid-gellable whey protein aggregates relative to the total weight of food product, 
 at most 8% (w/w) fat relative to the total weight of food product, and 
 4-7% (w/w) lactose relative to the total weight of food product. 
 
     
     
         41 . The food product according to  claim 38  comprising:
 a total amount of protein of at most 18% (w/w) relative to the total weight of food product, 
 1-4% (w/w) acid-gellable whey protein aggregates relative to the total weight of food product, 
 at most 4% (w/w) fat relative to the total weight of food product, and 
 optionally, 4-8% (w/w) lactose relative to the total weight of food product. 
 
     
     
         42 . The food product according to  claim 38  comprising high intensity sweetener in an amount of 0.01-2% (w/w), such as in the range of 0.05-1.5% (w/w), such as in the range of 0.1-1.0% (w/w). 
     
     
         43 . The food product according to  claim 38  wherein the amount of carbohydrate in the food product is at most 1% (w/w) relative to the total weight of food product.