Dynamic viscosities of milk and cream from 70 to 135 °C

Summary The dynamic viscosities of non-homogenized and homogenized (2-stage) whole and half skim-milk and cream, of unhomogenized skim-milk and of water-diluted milks were measured at temperatures between 70 and 135 °C; this range includes those temperatures used in ultra-high-temperature (UHT) treatments. A tube viscometer was used at the outlet of a continuous flow indirect heater. Above 85 °C the mean residence time of a milk or cream at the test temperature was 3–6 s. An equation relating viscosity μ and temperature θ of the form In μ = aθ 2 +bθ+c was derived for each product. It proved possible to relate μ, θ and fat content (0·03–15·5%) in a single equation which was appropriate for all the homogenized milks and creams as well as the non-homogenized skim-, half skim- and whole milk; the equation is considered valid for these products under conditions of indirect UHT sterilization. Viscosity values calculated with the equation, even those relating to temperatures as low as 50 °C, were comparable with those reported in the literature.