LAUSR

Abstract Effects of pH and heating on deamidation of whey protein concentrate (WPC) solution and functional properties of resultant spray-dried WPC powder were investigated. Temperature and heating time affected deamidation rates with the highest reactivities for WPC solutions heated at 120 °C for 15 min and 145 °C for 120 s. Deamidation sites were pH dependent: pH 3 induced more glutamine deamidation; pH 10 induced more asparagine deamidation. The functional properties of spray-dried WPC powders were also pH dependent. WPC solution adjusted to pH 3 and heated at 145 °C for 120 s (prior to spray drying) exhibited a reduction in solubility and foamability, but markedly improved foam stability of the resultant powders; meanwhile, the properties of powders were not significantly impacted by pH adjustment to 10.0 and heating at 145 °C for 120 s. However, pH 3 and 10 with and without heating significantly improved emulsifying properties of spray-dried WPC.