- Whey is a byproduct of cheese making that contains proteins, vitamins and minerals.
- Whey is often processed into powder to facilitate storage.
- Whey Powders are a source of nutritional value, help bind water, stabilize emulsions and improve the texture of foods.
- Whey and whey preparations are used in dairy products, baked goods, confectionery and sports nutrition.
Whey is a byproduct of cheese making. When the milk goes through the curdling process, the whey separates from the denser components. It consists mainly of water, but also contains proteins, vitamins, minerals and a small amount of fat. Whey and its preparations are used in the production of numerous food products due to their functional and nutritional properties. Want to learn more about how they can be used? Take a look at the following article.
Types of Whey Powders
Whey is often processed into powder to make it easier to transport and store. Whey Powders also have many useful properties that make them widely used in various industries.
Whey Powders can be divided into the following types:
- Sweet Whey Powder (SWP) and Acid Whey Powder (AWP) – are produced from pasteurized whey by spray drying process. They differ in that Sweet Whey Powder comes mainly from the production of yellow cheese, while Acid Whey Powder is the result of the production of sour cheese.
- Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC) is obtained in the production of sweet whey by ultrafiltration at very low temperatures. It contains between 35% and 80% protein depending on the production process.
- Whey Permeate – is produced from pasteurized skimmed milk after ultrafiltration during sweet cheese production and then spray-dried.
- Demineralized Whey (DEMI) – is produced by removing part of the minerals from liquid sweet whey.
Properties of Whey Powders
Whey Powders are not only an excellent source of nutritional value – they are easily digestible and contain essential amino acids – but also excellent functional additives that have the ability to bind water, stabilize emulsions and improve the texture of foods.
Sweet Whey Powder and Acid Whey Powder have high nutritional value as they are a source of vitamins and minerals. In addition, they also have functional properties. Sweet Whey Powder affects the browning of baked goods and has emulsifying properties. Acid Whey Powder, on the other hand, gives products a sour taste.
Whey Protein Concentrates, in addition to their nutritional properties, have the ability to bind water, form a gel and emulsify.
Whey Permeate is an ingredient that allows the formation of stable emulsions, retains moisture, reduces fat content and is rich in lactose.
Demineralized Whey Powder can serve as a filler and also has emulsifying and browning properties.
Applications of whey preparations in the food industry
Whey and whey preparations are often added to foods for their nutritional value and texture-enhancing properties. Below are the most popular applications.
Dairy products
Whey Powder is used in the manufacture of dairy products. It can be used to enrich yogurts and fermented beverages, as it affects both the texture and flavor of the final product. Acid Whey in Powder is used in the production of ricotta cheese or Whey Butter. Demineralized Whey, on the other hand, affects the taste and is a filler in desserts and dairy drinks.
Baking and confectionery
Sweet Whey Powder, with its excellent browning properties, is used in the production of baked goods. It is also used to increase the volume of bread. Demineralized Whey is also used in the production of confectionery, eliminating the undesirable slightly salty taste. Whey Permeate, on the other hand, is used in the production of bread, among other things, to increase its volume, but also its nutritional value.
Products with reduced fat content
Whey Powders, especially in the form of isolate, are very low in fat. So, when added to foods, the protein content can be increased with minimal additional fat. Whey Powders also affect the texture of foods, so manufacturers who use them can maintain the desired texture and flavor, which is sometimes difficult to achieve with reduced-fat products.
Food for athletes
Whey preparations are also commonly used to make foods for athletes. Thanks to their high protein and low fat content, whey supplements have become a staple in many sports nutrition supplements. They are found in protein supplements, energy bars and many other products intended for physically active people. The most common is Whey Protein Concentrate, which contains essential amino acids necessary for building muscle tissue. Whey Protein Isolate works similarly and also contributes to the growth of muscle mass.
If you want to learn more about the ingredients of sports supplements, read our article!
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