Patent ID: 8057839
Filing Date: 2011-11-15
Classification: A23C,A23G,A23J,A23V,A61K

Abstract:
1. A method for the production of nanoparticulated whey protein which comprises: treating an aqueous solution of whey protein by adjusting the pH at a very precise narrow range of ±0.2 pH units and between 3.5 and 9 depending upon the divalent metal content of the solution or adjusting the ionic strength of the whey protein solution while keeping the pH constant, wherein (a) to obtain negatively charged particles, the treating of the aqueous whey protein solution is achieved by adjusting the pH to 5.6 to 6.4 when the divalent metal content is below 0.2 g for 100 g of initial whey protein powder or adjusting the pH to 6.3 to 9 when the divalent metal content is above 0.2 g but below 2.5 g for 100 g of initial whey protein powder; and (b) to obtain positively charged particles, the treating of the aqueous whey protein solution includes removing free cations of Ca, K, Na, and Mg and adjusting the pH to 3.5 to 5, and subjecting the treated aqueous whey protein solution to a heat treatment at a temperature of between about 82° C. to about 89° C. for a time period of from 12 to 25 minutes to obtain a liquid dispersion of spherical whey protein nanoparticles having a particle size of less than 1 μm; wherein the solution is not subjected to mechanical stresses to obtain the nanoparticles.