Overview
Whole milk powder (WMP) is obtained by removing water from pasteurized, homogenized whole milk through evaporation and spray drying processes. It possesses all the appealing qualities of milk and, in its dry form, is an important ingredient in the manufacture of a remarkable range of food products.
WMP has a shelf life of about 6 months. Since the product contains a high level of milkfat, deterioration in taste, caused by the tendency of fat to oxidize, can be prevented by introducing a nitrogen or carbon dioxide atmosphere or vacuum sealing at time of packaging. WMP should be kept in a cool, dry storage room and should not be exposed to direct sunlight or strong odours. The product should not come into contact with walls or floors.
Composition
Whole milk powder must contain no less than 95 percent milk solids and must not exceed 5 percent moisture. The milk fat content must be no less than 26 percent. Vitamins A and D may be added and the emulsifying agent lecithin may also be added in an amount not exceeding 0.5 percent.
Typical Composition for
Whole Milk Powder
Principal |
% |
Lactose |
36.0 - 38.5% |
Fat |
26.0 - 28.5% |
Protein |
24.5 - 27.0% |
Ash |
5.5 - 6.5% |
Moisture |
2.0 - 4.5% |
Strict microbiological requirements are placed on the quality of the raw milk that is used in the manufacture of milk powders. Accordingly, WMP should be free from bacteria of the genus Salmonella and antibiotics. One gram of powder must not contain more than 10,000 bacteria as measured by the Standard Plate Count, 10 coliforms and 100 Staphylococcus aureus. These counts correspond respectively to about 1000, 1 and 10 per liter of reconstituted product, provided that contamination does not occur after manufacture.
Characteristics
Various Uses
Whole milk powder is a milk ingredient considered to be all natural and is held in high esteem by both manufacturer and consumer. It is nutritious, cost-effective and beneficial in its performance. It has a particularly wide range of applications in the confectionery industry, namely for chocolate, toffee and caramel confections, modern ice cream, milk beverages, toppings and icings, recipe dishes, infant formula, breakfast cereals, soups and sauces, bakery products and coffee whiteners.
For further processors, the major components of milk, i.e. milkfat, proteins and the milk sugar, lactose, are probably of greatest importance since most of the functional properties reside with theses constituents. However, this is not to say that other components, such as calcium and phosphate, are not functionally important. Thus, several desirable properties are achieved by adding whole milk powder to food formulations.
Functional Property |
Mode of Action |
Water binding/ Hydration |
The water retention capacity of whole milk proteins produces better texture in baked products and helps to maintain their keeping qualities. For rich doughs and cakes mixes, WMP may be creamed in with the sugar and shortening. Lactose also possesses humectant functional properties. |
Browning/Colour |
Lactose and proteins in WMP react with other sugars during baking or cooking. This is called the Maillard reaction and it gives a desirable browning coloration and caramel flavoring to all kinds of confectionery and desserts. |
Emulsification |
Whole milk proteins act at the oil/water interfaces to form and stabilize fat emulsions. This property is particularly beneficial in salads dressings, dairy beverages, soups, sauces and baked products. |
Whipping/ |
Whole milk proteins act at the air/water interfaces to form a stable film surrounding air bubbles. This property is particularly desirable for all sorts of desserts like mousses, cakes, meringues, marshmallows and ice creams. |
Gelling/ |
Whole milk proteins and lactose show high-water retention capacity which affects viscosity through thickening and gelling. This property contributes to the creation of a wide variety of desserts like custards, puddings, confectionery and set-type yogurts. |
Dispersibility |
In coffee whitener applications, WMP contributes adequate whitening ability and stability to the relatively low pH and high temperature conditions to which coffee whiteners are subjected. |