4. Conclusion
This study demonstrated that the chain length of glucose polymer
ingredients used in the formulation of protein-carbohydrate
beverages impacted strongly on the heat and physical stability of
the beverage formulations during sterilisation. The higher dextrose
equivalent ingredient resulted in lower pH, with concomitantly
higher levels of ionic calcium on sterilisation, which contributed
to greater changes in viscosity and rheological properties of the
beverages due to their combined roles in aggregating/destabilising
milk proteins on heating. Incorporation of glucose polymers with
milk protein isolates retarded sedimentation of protein during
accelerated physical stability testing. The results demonstrate that
the incorporation of maltodextrin DE17 resulted in the second
highest heat stability and best physical stability and it would be
expected to be the most suitable glucose polymer for inclusion in
such MPI-carbohydrate nutritional beverages.