Physicochemical and bulk handling properties of micronised calcium salts and their application in calcium fortification of whey protein-based solutions

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Calcium fortification of nutritional products remains challenging, with sedimentation of insoluble calcium salts being the most commonly encountered challenge. In this study, three calcium salts (i.e., carbonate, citrate and phosphate), with either conventional or micronised particle size distributions were studied for physicochemical, bulk-handling and electrostatic properties. The influence of these differences in particle size on colloidal and suspension stability in a whey protein solution was investigated. Micronised powders had significantly smaller mean particle diameter (D[4,3]) (5.09–15.9 μm) than conventional versions (59–103 μm) (p < 0.05). Micronised salts also displayed greater particle interlocking and therefore displayed very cohesive flow properties. In suspension, the sedimentation rates for the micronised salts (0.52–0.75 μm/s) were significantly lower than conventional salts (3.51–6.66 μm/s) (p < 0.05). This new information provided on the modification of physical properties of calcium salts (i.e., micronisation) is essential in supporting the formulation of nutritional products fortified with insoluble calcium salts.

Original languageEnglish
Article number110213
JournalJournal of Food Engineering
Volume292
ISSN0260-8774
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors are grateful to Nestlé for providing financial support for this study. The authors would like to acknowledge Dr Lifeng Zhang and Mr. Chen Li (College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Canada) for their assistance in performing triboelectric charge analysis of the calcium powders. Ryan Hazlett is acknowledged for providing scanning electron microscopy images and Dr Ashwini Shevade (Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland) for her assistance in performing moisture sorption isotherm analysis of the calcium salt powders.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd

    Research areas

  • Calcium, Calcium fortification, Flowability, Micronisation, Triboelectric charge, Whey protein

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