Conclusions
Heat induced denaturation of whey proteins, validated by HPLC
accessible b-Lg concentration, is a complex reaction including
multiple chemical and physical factors of substrate and environment
but is first guided by the temperature-time history of process.
Variation of flow regime in holding section of a scalable, for industrial
application relevant tubular heat exchanger has not the
same dominant effect on physical and technological properties of
whey proteins agglomerates as in a batch process which was performed
in a Couette cell at laboratory scale for example. For scaling
issues it is recommended replacing description of flow dynamics by
shear rates, with a more complex description including temperature
and shear dependent dynamic viscosity of liquids and shape of
tubes. This leads to flow dynamics based on Reynolds numbers and
friction factors. Direct as an alternative to indirect heat transfer in a
steady state processes could enable studying heating and aggregation
of b-Lg under laminar flow and elucidating the relation of
shear induced amplification via molecule collision versus shear
induced break-up of agglomerates.