February 12/Miki, Japan/Science Letter -- "Glycated whey protein isolate (WPI) was prepared by incubation of WPI with the rare sugars D-allose (All) and D-psicose (Psi) under controlled conditions. Its emulsion and foaming properties, and its antioxidant activity, were determined and compared to those of the native WPI and of WPI glycated with the alimentary sugars D-glucose (Glc) and n-fructose (Fru)," researchers in Miki, Japan report.

"WPI glycated with ketohexose showed a greater ability to form emulsions than control WPI or WPI glycated with aldohexoses. The foam overrun of all glycated WPIs was almost the same as that of the WPI control. However, the foam stability of WPI glycated with ketohexose was higher than that of the WPI control and of WPI glycated with aldohexose, following whipping for 30 minutes. Moreover, WPI glycated with the rare sugars All and Psi had the highest antioxidant activity as determined with the ABTS(center dot+) radical, even at low concentration.

"WPI glycated with rare sugars was then applied to ice cream manufacture, and the resulting ice cream properties were evaluated and compared with ice cream made from skim milk powder (SMP). The ice cream made with added glycated WPI showed ice cream overrun and hardness that was intermediate between that of SMP and native WPI ice cream. On the other hand, the modified ice creams containing WPI glycated with the rare sugars All and Psi had significantly higher antioxidant activity than the other ice cream samples as determined with the ABTS(center dot+) radical. Thus, glycation of WPI with Psi improves emulsion and foaming properties and, after application in ice cream manufacture, maintains a high antioxidant activity," wrote S. Puangmanee and colleagues, Kagawa University.

The researchers concluded, "Fortification of ice cream with glycated WPI can therefore produce ice cream with excellent antioxidant activity and good ice cream qualities."

Puangmanee and colleagues published their study in Food Science and Technology Research ("Application of Whey Protein Isolate Glycated with Rare Sugars to Ice Cream." Food Science and Technology Research, 2008;14(5):457-466).

For additional information, contact S. Hayakawa, Kagawa University, Faculty Agriculture, Dept. of Applied Biology Science, 2393 Ikenobe, Miki, Kagawa 7610795, Japan.

From the February 16, 2009, Prepared Foods E-dition