On how heat-induced whey protein/κ-casein complexes affect interactions during the acid gelation of milk

Heat treatment of milk at 85–95 °C has long been reported to increase the pH of gelation and firmness of acid milk gels; hence its wide application in yoghurt manufacture. These changes have been attributed to the formation of heat-induced whey protein/κ-casein complexes in the milk, to which heat-denatured whey protein ingredients may be substituted. However, variations in resulting gels show that a possible role of κ-casein in determining the functional acid-gelation property of the complexes needs investigating. Model heat-induced whey protein/κ-casein complexes were produced of κ-casein content from 0 to 40% (w/w), but of similar size, secondary structure, surface hydrophobicity and thiol/disulphide distribution. These complexes were added to whey protein-free skim milk systems and the resulting acid-gelation behaviour of the milks was evaluated. The results showed a modification of the pH of gelation that was explained more by variation of the pI of complexes than by the κ-casein content