Processing of Milk Products
Processing of Milk Products
2) Butter
Butter is a high-fat dairy product widely used for culinary and
commercial purposes.
### **Processing of Butter**
The butter-making process can be divided into the following stages:
### **1. Collection and Separation of Cream**
- **Milk Collection**: High-quality, fresh milk is collected.
- **Cream Separation**: Cream is separated from milk using
centrifugal cream separators. The cream's fat content is
standardized to about 30–40%.
### **2. Pasteurization of Cream**
- The separated cream is pasteurized at **85–90°C for 15–30
seconds** to destroy harmful microorganisms and deactivate
enzymes.
- Pasteurization also improves the keeping quality and flavor of the
butter.
### **3. Cooling and Ripening**
- **Cooling**: After pasteurization, the cream is cooled to
**4–7°C** to encourage crystallization of fat.
- **Ripening**: Lactic acid bacteria may be added to the cream for
controlled fermentation. This step enhances the flavor and aroma of
the butter.
### **4. Churning**
- The ripened cream is churned in a **butter churn** to separate
fat from the buttermilk.
- During churning:
- Fat globules coalesce into larger masses.
- The buttermilk is drained off, leaving a butter mass.
### **5. Washing**
- The butter is washed with chilled water to remove residual
buttermilk and impurities, which improves its shelf life.
### **6. Working of Butter**
- The butter is kneaded or worked to improve its texture, distribute
moisture evenly, and expel excess water.
- Salt may be added during this stage for flavor and preservation.
- Unsalted butter is also produced based on market demand.
### **7. Molding and Packaging**
- The butter is molded into desired shapes or blocks.
- It is packaged in parchment paper, plastic wraps, or other
materials to prevent oxidation and maintain freshness.
### **8. Storage and Distribution**
- Butter is stored at **refrigerated temperatures (below 10°C)** to
prevent spoilage.
- Proper storage conditions are critical to maintaining its quality,
especially for unsalted or lightly salted butter.
### **Chemical Composition of Butter**
Butter typically contains:
- **Fat**: 80–85%.
- **Water**: 12–16%.
- **Proteins and Salts**: 1–2%.
- **Lactose**: Minimal amount.
### **Types of Butter**
- **Salted Butter**: Contains added salt.
- **Unsalted Butter**: Pure butterfat without salt.
- **Cultured Butter**: Made from fermented cream, offering a
tangy flavor.
- **Clarified Butter (Ghee)**: Butter with water and milk solids
removed.
### **Quality Control**
Key factors in butter production include:
- Proper pasteurization of cream.
- Hygienic conditions during processing.
- Accurate fat content standardization.
- Prevention of rancidity and spoilage.
- **Prebiotic-enriched Products**:
Prebiotics are non-digestible food components that stimulate the
growth and activity of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Milk can be
fortified with prebiotics like **oligosaccharides** (e.g.,
fructooligosaccharides or galactooligosaccharides) to improve gut
health.
- **Fortified Milk**:
Functional milk can be fortified with additional vitamins, minerals,
or nutrients. Common examples include **vitamin D-fortified milk**
and **calcium-enriched milk**, aimed at improving bone health and
preventing deficiencies.
2. **Homogenization**:
- **Fat Emulsification**: Homogenization is a mechanical process
where milk is forced through a fine nozzle under high pressure,
breaking down fat globules into smaller particles. This increases
milk's stability and prevents the cream from separating.
- **Texture & Mouthfeel**: Homogenization results in a smoother
texture and better mouthfeel, as the milk becomes more uniformly
dispersed.
- **Digestibility**: Smaller fat globules in homogenized milk may
be more easily digestible.
3. **Fermentation**:
- Fermentation, such as in the production of yogurt and kefir,
introduces beneficial bacteria that can enhance the **probiotic
content** of milk products.
- **Acidity**: Fermentation increases the acidity of milk products,
affecting the taste and texture (e.g., thicker consistency in yogurt).
- **Nutritional Content**: Fermented dairy products may have
improved bioavailability of nutrients, such as calcium and magnesium.
1. **Proteins**:
- Heat treatments like pasteurization and sterilization can cause
some denaturation of milk proteins, particularly the **whey
proteins** (such as lactalbumin and lactoglobulin). However, these
changes are generally reversible and do not significantly affect the
nutritional value, though it might reduce the digestibility or
bioavailability of certain amino acids.
- **Fermentation** can increase the digestibility of milk proteins
by breaking down lactose and casein into more easily absorbable
forms.
3. **Fat**:
- Homogenization increases the surface area of fat molecules,
leading to a more uniform distribution of fat in milk, but the
**fat-soluble vitamins** (A, D, E, K) remain largely unaffected by
homogenization.
- **Fat loss** can occur during **skimming** (removal of cream),
but this reduces the total fat content and can be used to produce
low-fat milk products.
4. **Lactose**:
- The lactose content in milk is generally stable through most
processing methods. However, in **fermented milk products**The
lactose is partially converted into lactic acid, making it easier to
digest for those who are lactose intolerant.
- **Ultra-high temperature (UHT)** processing can also affect
lactose breakdown slightly, but this is not significant enough to make
milk suitable for people with lactose intolerance unless specifically
treated.
- **Remedial Measures**:
- Use **clean equipment** and **sanitation practices** to avoid
bacterial contamination.
- Ensure proper **storage conditions** (low temperature, dark
environment).
- Improve **feed quality** and avoid certain plants that affect
milk flavor.
- **Add antioxidants** to milk products to prevent fat oxidation.
- **Remedial Measures**:
- **Pasteurize milk** to destroy harmful bacteria.
- Maintain **proper refrigeration** and avoid delay in cooling.
- Store milk at **appropriate temperatures** (below 4°C).
- Use **preservatives** like potassium sorbate in some products to
extend shelf life.
- **Remedial Measures**:
- Ensure **proper pasteurization** to deactivate any unwanted
enzymes.
- **Monitor milk pH** closely and ensure it’s within the required
range (around 6.6–6.8).
- Regular **quality control** of milk before processing.
2. **Certification**:
Organic milk and its products must comply with regulations set by
certifying bodies (e.g., USDA Organic, EU Organic Certification).
These certifications ensure adherence to organic farming and
processing standards.
3. **Characteristics**:
- Free from synthetic additives and chemicals.
- Richer in omega-3 fatty acids due to pasture-based feeding.
- Free from antibiotic residues or pesticide contamination.