Garantir une bonne texture sans ajouter d’additif texturant est un défi pour les producteurs de yaourts. En effet, la texture d’un gel laitier acide est influencée par la formulation du lait, le procédé de fabrication et les ferments. La difficulté rencontrée est l’interdépendance de ces facteurs au cours de la fermentation avec des évolutions simultanées de la matrice au niveau biologique, biochimique et physicochimique. L’utilisation de ferments lactiques produisant des exopolysaccharides (EPS) est considérée comme une solution efficace pour lutter contre la synérèse. Cependant, leur rôle dans la formation des gels laitiers et dans l’apparition d’éventuels défauts de texture comme les grains est peu connu et mal maîtrisé. L’objectif de ce projet de recherche était donc de caractériser les interactions « formulation/ procédés/ ferments » in situ et de comprendre les mécanismes mis en jeux au cours de la structuration des gels laitiers acides en lien avec les propriétés texturales du produit et l’apparition de défauts de texture (synérèse spontanée et grains). Les performances de différents protocoles d’extraction d’EPS ont été établies pour sélectionner les plus adéquats pour la quantification et la caractérisation des EPS produits. Une approche intégrée et multi-échelle a ensuite été mise en place pour caractériser au niveau moléculaire, microscopique et macroscopique la structuration du gel laitier acide en lien avec l’apparition de défauts de texture. La combinaison de trois formulations de lait, de deux barèmes de pasteurisation et de différents ferments a été étudiée. L’ensemble des résultats ont suggéré que la présence de protéines sériques dénaturées est nécessaire pour la formation de grains, mais aussi que certains ferments pourraient inhiber ce défaut. La microstructure des gels obtenus par ces ferments a montré que les chaînes des cellules bactériennes étaient longues, formant de grands amas principalement situés dans les pores du gel. Pour approfondir l’effet du ferment sur la texture du gel, 7 combinaisons de souches ont été étudiées. L'effet inhibiteur du ferment contre l'apparition des défauts de texture, en particulier les grains, a été confirmé. Cet effet technologique ne dépend pas de la cinétique d’acidification, ni de la teneur en EPS, mais est corrélé aux caractéristiques moléculaires des EPS produits et à la morphologie des souches qui induisent un encombrement stérique dans les pores du gels, empêchant la croissance des grains. / It is a challenge for yogurt producers to guarantee a good texture without adding texturing agents. Texture of acid milk gel is influenced by the milk composition, the manufacturing process and the starter cultures. The encountered difficulty is the interdependence of these factors during fermentation with simultaneous biological, biochemical and physicochemical evolutions. Use of exocellular polysaccharide (EPS) producing starter culture is considered as an effective solution to reduce syneresis. However, the role of EPS in the milk gel formation and in the appearance of graininess defect is poorly controlled. The objective of this research project was to characterize the in situ “milk formulation/ process/ starter culture” interactions and to understand the involved mechanisms in the acid milk gel formation related to the gel textural properties and the appearance of texture defects (i.e. spontaneous syneresis and grains). The performance of various EPS extraction protocols has been evaluated to select the most suitable for quantification or characterization of EPS produced. An integrated and multi-scale approach was then conducted to characterize at the molecular, microscopic and macroscopic level the gel formation related to the appearance of texture defects. The combination of three milk formulations, two pasteurization parameters and different starter cultures was studied. All the results have suggested that the presence of denatured WP aggregates is crucial for the formation of grains and some cultures could inhibit this defect. The gel microstructure showed that the bacterial cell chains of these cultures were long, forming large clumps mainly located in the gel pores. To better understand the effect of the starter culture on the gel texture, 7 cultures were studied. The inhibitory effect of culture against the appearance of texture defects, in particular the graininess, was confirmed. This technological effect does not depend on the acidification kinetics or on the EPS content but relates to bacterial microscopic characteristics and the macromolecular properties of the produced EPS, which induce steric hindrance to prevent the growth of the grains.

Il existe une très grande variété de matrices laitières sur le marché, avec des textures très variées. Parmi elles, les yaourts brassés riches en matière grasse (≥ 5%) sont particulièrement appréciés par les consommateurs pour leur texture crémeuse. Cette dernière est à la fois liée à la consistance et à la perception du gras en bouche (film gras, fondant) et elle est directement pilotée par la structure du produit. Ce travail avait pour objectif de moduler la texture des yaourts brassés riches en matière grasse en les structurant à façon, et ce, sans ajouter d’additif.Ces produits sont des dispersions concentrées de microgels, où chaque microgel est une émulsion gélifiée (globules gras dispersés dans un réseau protéique et pouvant interagir avec celui-ci via l’interface). Plusieurs leviers ont été identifiés pour moduler cette structure complexe et les principaux sont l’état de la matière grasse, la nature et l’état physico-chimique des protéines adsorbées à l’interface, la taille et la rigidité des microgels. Ces leviers ont été modulés par la formulation et le procédé, soit à l’échelle pilote chez un partenaire industriel, soit à l’échelle laboratoire grâce à une mini-ligne de production de yaourts brassés spécialement mise au point. Une approche multi-échelle a été adoptée pour comprendre le lien entre la structure et les propriétés macroscopiques des produits. Les propriétés physico-chimiques des protéines et de la matière grasse laitières ont été caractérisées. Les propriétés interfaciales des protéines sériques ont été mesurées en fonction de leur état physico-chimique. La microstructure a été étudiée au travers de la taille des globules gras et des microgels, de la forme et la dimension fractale des microgels (avec reconstruction 3D) et de la caractérisation quantitative de la structure des yaourts brassés (morphologie mathématique). Les propriétés macroscopiques ont été évaluées en combinant la rhéologie (consistance) et la tribologie (lubrification) dans des conditions prenant en compte le processus oral (cisaillement, température, matériaux). Chaque levier identifié a été testé individuellement et la nature de l’interface comme la composition de la matière grasse des globules gras se sont révélés être intéressants pour modifier les propriétés macroscopiques (consistance et lubrification) des yaourts brassés. Ces deux leviers ont finalement été combinés dans une étude pour prendre en compte leur interdépendance.L’ensemble des travaux a permis de proposer des mécanismes de structuration des yaourts brassés en fonction des conditions de formulation et de procédé mises en œuvre. / There is a wide variety of dairy matrices on the market, with very different textures. Among them, high fat stirred yogurts (≥ 5%) are particularly appreciated by the consumers for their creamy texture. The creamy texture is linked to both the level of firmness and the fat perception in mouth (oily film, melting) and is directly driven by the structure of the product. The objective of this work was to change the texture of high fat stirred yogurts by tailoring their structure without addition of any additive.High fat stirred yogurts are concentrated dispersions of microgels, where each microgel is an emulsion-filled gel (i.e. fat droplets dispersed in a protein network and interacting with it via the interface). Several levers were identified in order to modify the structure and the main ones were the state of fat, the composition and the physico-chemical state of the interface, and the size and stiffness of the microgels. These levers were modified through formulation and process, either at pilot- scale (industrial partner) or at lab-scale (mini-line of stirred yogurt production specially developed).A multi-scale approach was adopted to understand the relationship between the structure and the macroscopic properties. The physico-chemical properties of milk proteins and fat were characterized. The interfacial properties of whey proteins were measured depending on their physico-chemical state. The microstructure was accurately characterized through the sizes of fat droplets and microgels, the shape and fractal dimension of microgels (with 3D reconstruction) and the quantitative analysis of the stirred yogurt microstructure (mathematical morphology). The macroscopic properties were measured by combining rheology (firmness) and tribology (lubrication) in conditions consistent with oral processing (shearing, temperature, materials). Each identified lever was individually tested and the nature of the interface and the composition of fat droplets were proved to be interesting in modifying the macroscopic properties (firmness, lubrication) of stirred yogurts. These two levers were eventually combined in a study to take their interdependence into account. All the work led to the statement of structuring mechanisms of the stirred yoghurts depending on the conditions of formulation and process used.

Work size - 60 pages, including 35 pictures, 1 table. List of literature - 44 sources. The beginning of the work -2004 09 01, the end of the work - 2006 05 15. Purpose of work: To explore, what influence the additive lysozyme on technological properties of milk which are important in manufacture of fermental cheeses and sour - milk products has. In work presents the analysis of lysozyme influence on the technological properties of. The results show that lysozyme prevent to develop of undesirable microorganisms and positively influences on the quality of fermented milks. It was established that the additive of lysozyme prolongs the duration of the bactericidal phase. The investigation of the rennet formation time has shown that the clothing of the milk in samples with lysozyme formed 12 - 15  faster as in compared with the control sample without lysozyme. Besides, it is established, that the additive of lysozyme intensifies the process removal of the whey. The research investigation show that in samples with lysozyme, whey distinguish in smaller optical density as compared with control samples. The development of lactic bacteria during fermentation process was examined too. It was found that lysozyme influence on this process is very insignificant. It was established that the additive of lysozyme insignificant reduces viscosity and acidity of fermented milk gels.

This study investigated pressure-induced starch gelatinisation in water and milk suspensions. A rheological method, termed ‘pasting curves’, provided an objective and analytical means to determine the degree of pressure-induced starch gelatinisation. In addition, a polarised light microscope was used to observe birefringence of the starch granules and the degree of starch swelling was measured. The preliminary investigation into pressure-induced gelatinisation of six different starches showed that potato starch was the most pressure resistant and was not gelatinised after a pressure treatment of 600 MPa for 30 min at 20 °C. Waxy rice, waxy corn and tapioca starches showed complete gelatinisation after the same treatment while normal rice and normal corn starches were only partially gelatinised despite the disappearance of birefringence. Based on the preliminary study, two starches (normal and waxy rice starches) were selected for more detailed studies. The effects of treatment conditions (pressure, temperature and duration) on the gelatinisation were investigated with these selected starches. The degree of gelatinisation was dependent on the type of starch and the treatment conditions. The results also indicated that different combinations of the treatment conditions (e.g. high treatment pressure for a short time and low treatment pressure for a longer time) could result in the same degree of gelatinisation. Both starch types exhibited sigmoidal-shaped pressure-induced gelatinisation curves and there was a linear correlation between the degree of swelling and the apparent viscosity of the starch suspension. After treatments at =500 MPa for 30 min at 20 °C, both starches lost all birefringence although the apparent viscosity and the degree of swelling of normal rice starch did not increase to the same extent as observed in waxy rice starch. Pressure-induced gelatinisation of starch was retarded when starch was suspended in skim milk. This was attributed to the effect of soluble milk minerals and lactose present in the milk whereas milk proteins (casein and whey) did not affect the degree of gelatinisation at the levels present in 10% total solids skim milk. The presence of soluble milk and/or lactose may lead to less effective plasticising of starch chains by the suspension medium. Interactions between milk components and starch molecules may also play a role in retarding gelatinisation by reducing the mobility of starch chains. The functionality of starch in a dairy application was tested using acid milk gels as a model system. Skim milk with added starch (waxy rice or potato starch) was either pressure treated (500 MPa, 20°C, 30 min) or heat treated (80°C, 30 min) and subsequently acidified to form acid milk gels. The addition of waxy rice starch resulted in firmer acid milk gels, and increasing the amount of starch caused an increase in the firmness of both pressure-treated and heat-treated samples. However, pressure-treated samples with added potato starch did not show significant changes in the firmness whereas the heat-treated counterparts showed a marked increase in the firmness as the level of potato starch increased. The difference between the effects of the two different starches can be explained by the extent of starch gelatinisation in skim milk. Starch granules absorb water during gelatinisation whether induced by pressure or heat which effectively increases milk protein concentration in the aqueous phase to form a denser protein gel network on acidification. The firmness of acid milk gels can be increased by adjusting the pH at pressure or heat treatment to higher than the natural pH of milk. The effect of pH at pressure or heat treatment and addition of starch on the acid milk gel firmness was additive and independent of each other up to a starch addition level of 1%. This study provided an insight into pressure-induced gelatinisation of starch by showing gelatinisation properties of starches of different botanical origins and the effects of the treatment conditions (treatment pressure, treatment temperature and duration) on the degree of gelatinisation. Furthermore, the results from the pressure treatments of starch in dairy-based suspensions showed that pressure-induced gelatinisation was affected by other components in the system. These results demonstrate the importance of understanding the gelatinisation properties of starch in complicated food systems in which a number of other components are present. In terms of the application of starch in dairy systems, when starch was added to milk and gelatinised by pressure treatment, the acid milk gel produced by subsequent acidification was firmer than the acid milk gel made from skim milk alone.

This study investigated pressure-induced starch gelatinisation in water and milk suspensions. A rheological method, termed ‘pasting curves’, provided an objective and analytical means to determine the degree of pressure-induced starch gelatinisation. In addition, a polarised light microscope was used to observe birefringence of the starch granules and the degree of starch swelling was measured. The preliminary investigation into pressure-induced gelatinisation of six different starches showed that potato starch was the most pressure resistant and was not gelatinised after a pressure treatment of 600 MPa for 30 min at 20 °C. Waxy rice, waxy corn and tapioca starches showed complete gelatinisation after the same treatment while normal rice and normal corn starches were only partially gelatinised despite the disappearance of birefringence. Based on the preliminary study, two starches (normal and waxy rice starches) were selected for more detailed studies. The effects of treatment conditions (pressure, temperature and duration) on the gelatinisation were investigated with these selected starches. The degree of gelatinisation was dependent on the type of starch and the treatment conditions. The results also indicated that different combinations of the treatment conditions (e.g. high treatment pressure for a short time and low treatment pressure for a longer time) could result in the same degree of gelatinisation. Both starch types exhibited sigmoidal-shaped pressure-induced gelatinisation curves and there was a linear correlation between the degree of swelling and the apparent viscosity of the starch suspension. After treatments at =500 MPa for 30 min at 20 °C, both starches lost all birefringence although the apparent viscosity and the degree of swelling of normal rice starch did not increase to the same extent as observed in waxy rice starch. Pressure-induced gelatinisation of starch was retarded when starch was suspended in skim milk. This was attributed to the effect of soluble milk minerals and lactose present in the milk whereas milk proteins (casein and whey) did not affect the degree of gelatinisation at the levels present in 10% total solids skim milk. The presence of soluble milk and/or lactose may lead to less effective plasticising of starch chains by the suspension medium. Interactions between milk components and starch molecules may also play a role in retarding gelatinisation by reducing the mobility of starch chains. The functionality of starch in a dairy application was tested using acid milk gels as a model system. Skim milk with added starch (waxy rice or potato starch) was either pressure treated (500 MPa, 20°C, 30 min) or heat treated (80°C, 30 min) and subsequently acidified to form acid milk gels. The addition of waxy rice starch resulted in firmer acid milk gels, and increasing the amount of starch caused an increase in the firmness of both pressure-treated and heat-treated samples. However, pressure-treated samples with added potato starch did not show significant changes in the firmness whereas the heat-treated counterparts showed a marked increase in the firmness as the level of potato starch increased. The difference between the effects of the two different starches can be explained by the extent of starch gelatinisation in skim milk. Starch granules absorb water during gelatinisation whether induced by pressure or heat which effectively increases milk protein concentration in the aqueous phase to form a denser protein gel network on acidification. The firmness of acid milk gels can be increased by adjusting the pH at pressure or heat treatment to higher than the natural pH of milk. The effect of pH at pressure or heat treatment and addition of starch on the acid milk gel firmness was additive and independent of each other up to a starch addition level of 1%. This study provided an insight into pressure-induced gelatinisation of starch by showing gelatinisation properties of starches of different botanical origins and the effects of the treatment conditions (treatment pressure, treatment temperature and duration) on the degree of gelatinisation. Furthermore, the results from the pressure treatments of starch in dairy-based suspensions showed that pressure-induced gelatinisation was affected by other components in the system. These results demonstrate the importance of understanding the gelatinisation properties of starch in complicated food systems in which a number of other components are present. In terms of the application of starch in dairy systems, when starch was added to milk and gelatinised by pressure treatment, the acid milk gel produced by subsequent acidification was firmer than the acid milk gel made from skim milk alone.

This study investigated pressure-induced starch gelatinisation in water and milk suspensions. A rheological method, termed ‘pasting curves’, provided an objective and analytical means to determine the degree of pressure-induced starch gelatinisation. In addition, a polarised light microscope was used to observe birefringence of the starch granules and the degree of starch swelling was measured. The preliminary investigation into pressure-induced gelatinisation of six different starches showed that potato starch was the most pressure resistant and was not gelatinised after a pressure treatment of 600 MPa for 30 min at 20 °C. Waxy rice, waxy corn and tapioca starches showed complete gelatinisation after the same treatment while normal rice and normal corn starches were only partially gelatinised despite the disappearance of birefringence. Based on the preliminary study, two starches (normal and waxy rice starches) were selected for more detailed studies. The effects of treatment conditions (pressure, temperature and duration) on the gelatinisation were investigated with these selected starches. The degree of gelatinisation was dependent on the type of starch and the treatment conditions. The results also indicated that different combinations of the treatment conditions (e.g. high treatment pressure for a short time and low treatment pressure for a longer time) could result in the same degree of gelatinisation. Both starch types exhibited sigmoidal-shaped pressure-induced gelatinisation curves and there was a linear correlation between the degree of swelling and the apparent viscosity of the starch suspension. After treatments at =500 MPa for 30 min at 20 °C, both starches lost all birefringence although the apparent viscosity and the degree of swelling of normal rice starch did not increase to the same extent as observed in waxy rice starch. Pressure-induced gelatinisation of starch was retarded when starch was suspended in skim milk. This was attributed to the effect of soluble milk minerals and lactose present in the milk whereas milk proteins (casein and whey) did not affect the degree of gelatinisation at the levels present in 10% total solids skim milk. The presence of soluble milk and/or lactose may lead to less effective plasticising of starch chains by the suspension medium. Interactions between milk components and starch molecules may also play a role in retarding gelatinisation by reducing the mobility of starch chains. The functionality of starch in a dairy application was tested using acid milk gels as a model system. Skim milk with added starch (waxy rice or potato starch) was either pressure treated (500 MPa, 20°C, 30 min) or heat treated (80°C, 30 min) and subsequently acidified to form acid milk gels. The addition of waxy rice starch resulted in firmer acid milk gels, and increasing the amount of starch caused an increase in the firmness of both pressure-treated and heat-treated samples. However, pressure-treated samples with added potato starch did not show significant changes in the firmness whereas the heat-treated counterparts showed a marked increase in the firmness as the level of potato starch increased. The difference between the effects of the two different starches can be explained by the extent of starch gelatinisation in skim milk. Starch granules absorb water during gelatinisation whether induced by pressure or heat which effectively increases milk protein concentration in the aqueous phase to form a denser protein gel network on acidification. The firmness of acid milk gels can be increased by adjusting the pH at pressure or heat treatment to higher than the natural pH of milk. The effect of pH at pressure or heat treatment and addition of starch on the acid milk gel firmness was additive and independent of each other up to a starch addition level of 1%. This study provided an insight into pressure-induced gelatinisation of starch by showing gelatinisation properties of starches of different botanical origins and the effects of the treatment conditions (treatment pressure, treatment temperature and duration) on the degree of gelatinisation. Furthermore, the results from the pressure treatments of starch in dairy-based suspensions showed that pressure-induced gelatinisation was affected by other components in the system. These results demonstrate the importance of understanding the gelatinisation properties of starch in complicated food systems in which a number of other components are present. In terms of the application of starch in dairy systems, when starch was added to milk and gelatinised by pressure treatment, the acid milk gel produced by subsequent acidification was firmer than the acid milk gel made from skim milk alone.