The impact of whey protein preheating on the properties of emulsion gel bead

Thermal treatment effect (70 or 80 °C for 5 or 30 min) was evaluated on functional properties of whey protein isolate (WPI) dispersions used for the development of novel vitamin A delivery systems based on emulsion gel beads. This process combines an (O/W) emulsion diluted by a polysaccharide solution and a cold-set gelation induced by salt addition. Pre-heated WPI had a significant impact on the denaturation degree and on the surface hydrophobicity, respectively studied by differential scanning calorimetry and fluorescence. Stronger heating conditions (i.e. duration or temperature) induced complete denaturation, an increase of surface hydrophobicity and of viscosity. Under these conditions…