Effects of individual protein sources or blends on microstructure and melt-down rates of ice cream were
investigated. Ice creams were formulated with non-fat dry milk (NFDM), milk protein concentrate, whey
protein isolate (WPI), or procream to total protein concentrations of 4e10%. Ice creams were also made
with protein blends containing 4% protein from NFDM with additional WPI or procream to total protein
concentrations of 6e10%. Mean ice crystal and air cell sizes and overrun were not significantly impacted
by protein source, blend, or concentration. Partially-coalesced fat decreased with increasing protein
content, except in ice creams made with only NFDM. Melt rate tended to increase with protein content,
with the exception of ice creams made with procream, which gave rapid melt rates at all protein concentrations.
Protein type, blend and concentration were hypothesized to affect the properties of the
emulsion interface, leading to differences in partial coalescence and melt-down rates