The Solubility of Milk Powder as Affected by Moisture Content

Solubility is an important feature in judging the physical characteristics of milk powder. The term, "solubility" as used herein refers to the ability of desiccated milk when mixed with water to form a solution, suspension or emulsion which will simulate the physical characteristics of natural milk. The solubility of strictly fresh milk powder varies with the process of manufacture, the acidity of the liquid milk dried, and with certain conditions incident to the operation of the particular drying process involved. Another factor however, of equal, if not greater, significance in determining the degree of solubility of milk powder after a given storage period, is the question of moisture content, either that originally contained in the product or that taken up from the atmosphere.