EDTA-induced dissociation of casein micelles and its effect on foaming properties of milk

The effects of addition of EDTA on the dissociation of caseins and foaming properties of milks (100 g solids/l) reconstituted from skim milk powders given a low-heat (72°C for 30 s) or high-heat (85°C for 30 min) treatment during powder manufacture were determined. The EDTA-induced dissociation of caseins was independent of heat treatment but in high-heat milk was accompanied by release of denatured whey proteins. EDTA changed the proportions of individual caseins in the supernatant. EDTA addition improved both foam overrun and foam stability of low- and high-heat milks. The increase in serum protein on addition of EDTA contributed to the improvement in foaming properties of milks by increasing the availability of the proteins for formation of the air–water interface.