The present application relates to a method for preparing a dairy product based on the principle of forward osmosis, the concentrated dairy product prepared by the above method, and a continuous forward osmosis membrane system. Multiple concentration of the target solution is achieved by controlling the osmotic pressure difference between the solutions on both sides of the forward osmosis membrane, no heat source or strong external pressure is introduced, and the main nutrient content and nutrient ratio of the target solution are maintained. Compared with a reverse osmosis membrane concentration and a freeze concentration, the forward osmosis membrane concentration can greatly increase the concentration multiple of the dairy product, reduce the unit energy consumption, save the running cost. The scaled treatment of dairy product concentration is realized, and the microbial indicators, physical and chemical indicators and nutritional indicators of concentrated dairy products can meet the requirements of relevant standards.

A method for preparing a modified whey protein concentrate (WPC) or whey protein isolate (WPI) is described. It involves (a) providing an aqueous WPC or WPI solution having a protein concentration of 15-50% (w/v), at a pH of 4.7-8.5; (b) heat treating the solution to more than 50 DEG C, for a time that allows protein denaturation to occur the heat treating comprising heating the solution while under conditions of turbulent flow. At the end of the heat treatment, the heat treated material may be promptly transferred to a drier or to be mixed with other ingredients. The heat-treated WPC or WPI is not subjected to a mechanical shear process prior to the transfer other than where liquid is converted into droplets to facilitate drying. The modified WPC is useful in the manufacture of food and drinks where a high protein content is desired without undesirable changes in texture.

A method for preparing a modified whey protein concentrate (WPC) or whey protein isolate (WPI) is described. It involves (a) providing an aqueous WPC or WPI solution having a protein concentration of 15-50% (w/v), at a pH of 4.7-8.5; (b) heat treating the solution to more than 50 DEG C, for a time that allows protein denaturation to occur the heat treating comprising heating the solution while under conditions of turbulent flow. At the end of the heat treatment, the heat treated material may be promptly transferred to a drier or to be mixed with other ingredients. The heat-treated WPC or WPI is not subjected to a mechanical shear process prior to the transfer other than where liquid is converted into droplets to facilitate drying. The modified WPC is useful in the manufacture of food and drinks where a high protein content is desired without undesirable changes in texture.

A method and system for processing a fermented dairy product, including feeding, in a product feed conduit, fermented dairy product to a separator, separating the fermented dairy product into a heavy phase and a light phase, returning a part of the light phase to the product feed conduit, such that the returned part of the light phase is mixed with fermented dairy product that is fed into the separator, while another part of the light phase is removed from the fermented dairy product, such that the heavy phase forms a concentrated, fermented dairy product.

Disclosed are processes for preparing dry or powder dairy compositions having low lactose contents and containing polyphenol compounds. The resultant dry or powder dairy compositions can be used to form reconstituted fluid dairy products, which can have improved organoleptic properties, such as less cooked flavor, sulfur odor, and brown color.

Disclosed are processes for preparing dry or powder dairy compositions having low lactose contents and containing polyphenol compounds. The resultant dry or powder dairy compositions can be used to form reconstituted fluid dairy products, which can have improved organoleptic properties, such as less cooked flavor, sulfur odor, and brown color.

The invention relates to a method of producing a food or beverage product, comprising the steps of: providing an ingredient composition comprising, micellar caseins and whey proteins and having a pH of 6.1-7.1 and a concentration of 1-15 wt. % of proteins, and wherein the ingredient composition has a casein to whey protein ratio of 90/10-60/40, adding 3-25 mM divalent cations to provide a concentration of 3-8 mM free divalent cations in the ingredient composition, homogenising the ingredient composition; and subsequently pasteurising and stirring the ingredient composition at a temperature of 80-100 C. for a period of 0.5-3 min to form agglomerated proteins comprising caseins and beta-lactoglobulin from the whey proteins, the agglomerates having a size of 5-50 microns as measured by D.sub.(4, 3) mean diameter. The invention relates also to a food or beverage product comprising aggregated proteins comprising micellar casein and whey protein aggregates, wherein the product has a pH of 6.1-7.1, a concentration of 6-40 wt. % milk solids, a casein to whey protein ratio of 90/10-60/40, and a concentration of 3-8 mM free divalent cations, and wherein the agglomerates having a size of 5-50 microns mean diameter D.sub.(4, 3) as measured by laser diffraction.

Disclosed are processes for preparing dry or powder dairy compositions having low lactose contents and containing polyphenol compounds. The resultant dry or powder dairy compositions can be used to form reconstituted fluid dairy products, which can have improved organoleptic properties, such as less cooked flavor, sulfur odor, and brown color.

Disclosed are processes for preparing dry or powder dairy compositions having low lactose contents and containing polyphenol compounds. The resultant dry or powder dairy compositions can be used to form reconstituted fluid dairy products, which can have improved organoleptic properties, such as less cooked flavor, sulfur odor, and brown color.

The invention relates to a method of producing a dairy concentrate, comprising the steps of: providing an ingredient composition comprising micellar caseins and whey proteins and having a pH of 6.1-7.1 and a concentration of 3-25 wt. % of proteins, and wherein the ingredient composition has a casein to whey protein ratio of 90/10-60/40, adding 3-25 mM divalent cations to provide a concentration of 3-8 mM free divalent cations in the ingredient composition, homogenising the ingredient composition; and subsequently pasteurising and stirring the ingredient composition at a temperature of 80-105 C. for a period of 0.5-3 min to form agglomerated proteins comprising caseins and beta-lactoglobulin from the whey proteins, the agglomerates having a size of 3-50 microns as measured by D(4,3) mean diameter. The invention also relates to a method with an ultra-high temperature treatment of the ingredient mix. Furthermore, the invention relates to a dairy concentrate comprising aggregated proteins comprising micellar casein and whey protein aggregates, wherein the product has a pH of 6.0-7.1, a concentration of 6-55 wt. % milk solids, a casein to whey protein ratio of 90/10-60/40, and a concentration of 3-8 mM free divalent cations, and wherein the agglomerates having a size of 3-50 microns mean diameter D(4,3) as measured by laser diffraction.