Improvements in the Physical Properties of Agglomerated Milk Protein Isolate/Skim Milk Powder Mixtures Via Fluidized Bed Agglomeration

Protein-enriched dairy powder is widely consumed to promote muscle synthesis. Recently, in Korea, elderly people have also begun consuming protein powder products to prevent muscle loss. However, these protein-enriched powders have poor flowability and hydration properties because of the fine particles of spray-dried milk protein powder. Therefore, in this study, the fluidized bed agglomeration process was used to solve these problems. The rheological and physical properties of milk protein isolate (MPI)/skim milk powder (SMP) mixtures were effectively improved via fluidized bed agglomeration. The particle size of the MPI/SMP mixtures significantly increased from 35.7 – 58 µ m to 118 – 136 µ m, the flowability level improved from fair (21.4 – 26.3) to good (15.7 – 16.3), and the cohesiveness level changed from intermediate (1.27 – 1.36) to low (1.18 – 1.19) after fluidized bed agglomeration. In addition, the wetting time of the agglomerated MPI/SMP mixtures was effectively reduced to 4.67 – 58.3 s by fluidized bed agglomeration. These findings may be useful for manufacturing protein-enriched dairy powders with good instant properties.