O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a associação entre o polimorfismo da β-lactoglobulina e as características físico-químicas (pH, acidez e crioscopia), de composição (gordura, sólidos totais, uréia, proteína bruta, proteína verdadeira, nitrogênio não-protéico e caseína), e de estabilidade do leite. Para tanto, 11 rebanhos leiteiros foram selecionados, 5 da raça Holandesa e 6 da raça Girolanda, dos quais foram coletadas 4 amostras de leite de 164 vacas da raça Holandesa e 74 da raça Girolanda, sendo duas coletas realizadas na estação das secas e 2 na estação das chuvas. Cada amostra foi submetida à análise de composição e de características físico-químicas. Para a identificação do genótipo para β-lactoglobulina, foram coletadas amostras de sangue de cada vaca, as quais foram submetidas à reação de polimerase em cadeia (PCR), determinando-se as freqüências alélicas e genotípicas dos animais. A estabilidade do leite foi avaliada pelo teste de estabilidade ao etanol, nas seguintes concentrações alcoólicas: 70, 76, 80 e 84ºGL. As freqüências genotípicas foram 0,28, 0,30 e 0,41 para os genótipos AA, AB e BB, respectivamente. A freqüência do alelo B foi maior que do alelo A, 0,52 e 0,47, para a raça Holandesa, e 0,58 e 0,41, para a raça Girolanda, respectivamente. Não houve efeito do polimorfismo da β-lactoglobulina (AA, AB e BB), entre os animais das raças, avaliadas sobre as propriedades físico-químicas e a composição do leite. Observou-se efeito de raça (Holandesa e Girolanda, respectivamente) sobre a acidez titulável (16,16 e 17,07°D) e pH (6,78 e 6,75), e de composição do leite quanto as variáveis gordura (3,31 e 3,20%), NUL (16,62 e 14,45mg/dL) e PB (3,13 e 3,04%). Houve efeito da estação (chuvosa e seca, respectivamente) sobre as características físico-químicas de acidez titulável (16,62 e 16,34°D), pH (6,76 e 6,79) e crioscopia (-0,5411 e -0,5376°H), e de composição do leite quanto as variáveis lactose (4,34 e 4,50%), sólidos totais (11,65 e 11,90%), LogCCS (2,44 e 2,34), PB (3,08 e 3,14%), PV (2,84 e 2,91%), caseína (2,01 e 2,13%) e relação caseína:proteína verdadeira (0,70 e 0,72). Verificou-se também efeito da raça e estação do ano sobre a estabilidade do leite, sendo que o leite foi mais instável para raça Girolanda e durante a estação seca, mas não se observou efeito do polimorfismo da β-lactoglobulina sobre esta característica. / The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between beta-lactogobulin polymorphism and physico-chemical characteristics, composition (fat, total solids, urea, crude protein, true protein, non protein nitrogen and casein), and stability of milk. For this aim, 11 dairy herds were selected, six of them composed of crossbred Holstein-Zebu (H-Z) cows and five from Holstein cows. Milk samples were taken four times (twice in dry season and twice in rainy season), from 278 Holstein and 156 crossbred Holstein-Zebu cows. Individual milk samples were analyzed for milk composition and physico-chemical properties. For β-lactoglobulin polymorphism analysis, 10 mL of blood samples were ollected from each cow and then submitted to polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Following β-lactoglobulin protein variants detection, genotype and allele frequencies for the 11 herds were analyzed. Heat stability of milk was determined by the alcohol-induced precipitation test, using the following ethanol concentrations 70, 76, 80 and 84ºGL. The genotype frequencies were 0.28, 0.30 and 0.41 for AA, AB and BB, respectively. Allele B frequency was higher than A, 0.52 and 0.47, for Holstein cows, 0.58 and 0.41, for Holstein-Zebu, respectively. Genetic variants of β-lactoglobulin (AA, AB and BB) had no effect on physico-chemical (acidity, pH and crioscopy), and compositional characteristics (fat, total solids, urea, crude protein, non-protein nitrogen, true protein and casein percentages), either among milk from Holstein cows, or from crossbred Holstein-Zebu. Breed effect for Holstein and H-Z on titrable acidity (16,16 and 17,07°D, respectively), pH (6,78 and 6,75, respectively), fat (3,31e 3,20%, respectively), milk urea nitrogen (16,62 e 14,45mg/dL, respectively) and crude protein (3,13 e 3,04%, respectively) could be observed. Effect of seasonality between rainy and dry seasons was also observed on physico-chemical variables of titrable acidity (16,62 and 16,34°D, respectively), pH (6,76 and 6,79, respectively) and freezing point (-0,5411and -0,5376°H, respectively), and on composition characteristics of lactose (4,34 and 4,50%, respectively), total solids (11,65 and 11,90%, respectively), LogCCS (2,44 and 2,34, respectively), crude protein (3,08 and 3,14%, respectively), true protein (2,84 and 2,91%, respectively), casein content (2,01 and 2,13%, respectively) and casein:true protein ratio (0,70 and 0,72, respectively). Effect of breed and seasonality on milk ethanol stability test was observed. Holstein-Zebu milk was ethanol-unstable on dry season. No effect of β-lactoglobulin on milk stability was observed.

The overall aim of this thesis is to determine if the interactions between normal and waxy rice starch and milk proteins from four milk protein ingredients, namely skim milk powder (SMP), milk protein concentrate (MPC), sodium caseinate (NaCAS) and whey protein isolate (WPI) do occur, and to identify the mechanisms underlying these interactions. Different milk protein ingredients at various concentrations (0 to 10%, w/w) affected markedly and differently the pasting behaviour of 10% (w/w) rice starches. SMP delayed the pasting of both rice starches by increasing the onset temperature (Tonset) and the peak viscosity temperature (Tpeak) of pasting. This was mainly due to the presence of lactose and ions, which was further supported by the investigation of the effects of UFSMP (a solution of salts and lactose present in SMP at their proper concentration) and lactose. The addition of NaCAS also delayed the pasting of rice starch; Tpeak in the case of both starches was increased. For normal rice starch paste, MPC and WPI decreased the Tpeak. MPC had no affect on Tpeak of waxy rice starch paste. The qualitative viscoelastic behaviour of rice starch/milk protein ingredient gels obtained from the above pastes was dominated by the continuous phase made of the starch molecules. There was evidence, as indicated by confocal microscopy, of phase separation between the milk proteins of SMP and MPC and the two starches. The phase separation was not observed in the addition of either NaCAS or WPI. Studies on the thermal behaviour of rice starch/milk protein ingredient mixtures by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that SMP, similarly to UFSMP, delayed the gelatinization of both starches. NaCAS also delayed the gelatinisation of both starches but had a greater effect on waxy than normal rice starch. The addition of NaCAS did not affect Tonset but increased Tpeak for normal rice starch, whereas the gelatinisation temperature of waxy rice starch was highly affected by the addition of NaCAS with both Tonset and Tpeak shifted to higher temperatures. MPC had no affect on the gelatinization temperature of normal rice starch, whereas the gelatinization temperature of waxy rice starch was increased by the addition of MPC. The addition of WPI to both rice starches showed two thermal transitions. The first of these was due to the gelatinisation of the starches and the second to the denaturation of ß-lactoglobulin (ß-lg). The addition of WPI to normal rice starch showed that the thermal behaviour of normal starch and protein were independent from each other. In contrast, the thermal behaviour of waxy rice starch was modified by the addition of WPI; both Tonset and Tpeak were increased. SMP decreased the Tonset of swelling, swelling ratio and the amount of starch leaching from both starches. These observed changes were due to the presence of lactose and ions in SMP. NaCAS slightly increased Tonset of swelling but the amount of starch leaching was reduced for both rice starches. The rigidity of both starches tended to increase in the presence of NaCAS. MPC and WPI affected the swelling behaviour of normal and waxy rice starch differently. A dramatic increase in the swelling of normal rice starch/MPC or WPI mixtures was observed, whereas this trend was not evident for waxy rice starch/ MPC or WPI mixtures. The difference in the water holding ability and gelatinization peak temperatures of the two starches over the temperature range at which whey proteins denature and form gels are believed to be responsible for the observed differences. The results from confocal microscopy showed that milk proteins, such as a-casein, ß- casein, ß-lg and a-lactalbumin (a-la), were adsorbed onto the granule surface of both normal and waxy rice starch. The mechanism for this adsorption is the hydrophilic interactions; hydrogen bonds between hydroxyl group from terminated glucan molecule that protrude around starch granule surface-hydroxyl; amino, or other electron-donation or electron-accepting groups of the added proteins. Using sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) it was found that for SMP and MPC the adsorbed as- to ß-casein ratio on both starches was similar to the as-casein to ß- casein ratio in the casein micelle at low SMP and MPC concentrations. But at high concentrations of SMP or MPC, this ratio decreased indicating that more ß-casein was adsorbed preferentially to as-casein. In the case of NaCAS, as-casein was adsorbed preferentially to ß-casein. Moreover, there was evidence of multilayer adsorption of ascasein into the surface of rice starch granules. Compared to the other milk protein ingredients, very small amounts of the ß-lg and a-la from WPI were adsorbed onto starch granules. However, the adsorbed amounts of ß-lg and a-la from WPI continuously increased with increasing WPI concentration, suggesting that these two proteins, particularly ß-lg, adsorbed in multilayers too.

The overall aim of this thesis is to determine if the interactions between normal and waxy rice starch and milk proteins from four milk protein ingredients, namely skim milk powder (SMP), milk protein concentrate (MPC), sodium caseinate (NaCAS) and whey protein isolate (WPI) do occur, and to identify the mechanisms underlying these interactions. Different milk protein ingredients at various concentrations (0 to 10%, w/w) affected markedly and differently the pasting behaviour of 10% (w/w) rice starches. SMP delayed the pasting of both rice starches by increasing the onset temperature (Tonset) and the peak viscosity temperature (Tpeak) of pasting. This was mainly due to the presence of lactose and ions, which was further supported by the investigation of the effects of UFSMP (a solution of salts and lactose present in SMP at their proper concentration) and lactose. The addition of NaCAS also delayed the pasting of rice starch; Tpeak in the case of both starches was increased. For normal rice starch paste, MPC and WPI decreased the Tpeak. MPC had no affect on Tpeak of waxy rice starch paste. The qualitative viscoelastic behaviour of rice starch/milk protein ingredient gels obtained from the above pastes was dominated by the continuous phase made of the starch molecules. There was evidence, as indicated by confocal microscopy, of phase separation between the milk proteins of SMP and MPC and the two starches. The phase separation was not observed in the addition of either NaCAS or WPI. Studies on the thermal behaviour of rice starch/milk protein ingredient mixtures by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that SMP, similarly to UFSMP, delayed the gelatinization of both starches. NaCAS also delayed the gelatinisation of both starches but had a greater effect on waxy than normal rice starch. The addition of NaCAS did not affect Tonset but increased Tpeak for normal rice starch, whereas the gelatinisation temperature of waxy rice starch was highly affected by the addition of NaCAS with both Tonset and Tpeak shifted to higher temperatures. MPC had no affect on the gelatinization temperature of normal rice starch, whereas the gelatinization temperature of waxy rice starch was increased by the addition of MPC. The addition of WPI to both rice starches showed two thermal transitions. The first of these was due to the gelatinisation of the starches and the second to the denaturation of ß-lactoglobulin (ß-lg). The addition of WPI to normal rice starch showed that the thermal behaviour of normal starch and protein were independent from each other. In contrast, the thermal behaviour of waxy rice starch was modified by the addition of WPI; both Tonset and Tpeak were increased. SMP decreased the Tonset of swelling, swelling ratio and the amount of starch leaching from both starches. These observed changes were due to the presence of lactose and ions in SMP. NaCAS slightly increased Tonset of swelling but the amount of starch leaching was reduced for both rice starches. The rigidity of both starches tended to increase in the presence of NaCAS. MPC and WPI affected the swelling behaviour of normal and waxy rice starch differently. A dramatic increase in the swelling of normal rice starch/MPC or WPI mixtures was observed, whereas this trend was not evident for waxy rice starch/ MPC or WPI mixtures. The difference in the water holding ability and gelatinization peak temperatures of the two starches over the temperature range at which whey proteins denature and form gels are believed to be responsible for the observed differences. The results from confocal microscopy showed that milk proteins, such as a-casein, ß- casein, ß-lg and a-lactalbumin (a-la), were adsorbed onto the granule surface of both normal and waxy rice starch. The mechanism for this adsorption is the hydrophilic interactions; hydrogen bonds between hydroxyl group from terminated glucan molecule that protrude around starch granule surface-hydroxyl; amino, or other electron-donation or electron-accepting groups of the added proteins. Using sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) it was found that for SMP and MPC the adsorbed as- to ß-casein ratio on both starches was similar to the as-casein to ß- casein ratio in the casein micelle at low SMP and MPC concentrations. But at high concentrations of SMP or MPC, this ratio decreased indicating that more ß-casein was adsorbed preferentially to as-casein. In the case of NaCAS, as-casein was adsorbed preferentially to ß-casein. Moreover, there was evidence of multilayer adsorption of ascasein into the surface of rice starch granules. Compared to the other milk protein ingredients, very small amounts of the ß-lg and a-la from WPI were adsorbed onto starch granules. However, the adsorbed amounts of ß-lg and a-la from WPI continuously increased with increasing WPI concentration, suggesting that these two proteins, particularly ß-lg, adsorbed in multilayers too.

The overall aim of this thesis is to determine if the interactions between normal and waxy rice starch and milk proteins from four milk protein ingredients, namely skim milk powder (SMP), milk protein concentrate (MPC), sodium caseinate (NaCAS) and whey protein isolate (WPI) do occur, and to identify the mechanisms underlying these interactions. Different milk protein ingredients at various concentrations (0 to 10%, w/w) affected markedly and differently the pasting behaviour of 10% (w/w) rice starches. SMP delayed the pasting of both rice starches by increasing the onset temperature (Tonset) and the peak viscosity temperature (Tpeak) of pasting. This was mainly due to the presence of lactose and ions, which was further supported by the investigation of the effects of UFSMP (a solution of salts and lactose present in SMP at their proper concentration) and lactose. The addition of NaCAS also delayed the pasting of rice starch; Tpeak in the case of both starches was increased. For normal rice starch paste, MPC and WPI decreased the Tpeak. MPC had no affect on Tpeak of waxy rice starch paste. The qualitative viscoelastic behaviour of rice starch/milk protein ingredient gels obtained from the above pastes was dominated by the continuous phase made of the starch molecules. There was evidence, as indicated by confocal microscopy, of phase separation between the milk proteins of SMP and MPC and the two starches. The phase separation was not observed in the addition of either NaCAS or WPI. Studies on the thermal behaviour of rice starch/milk protein ingredient mixtures by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that SMP, similarly to UFSMP, delayed the gelatinization of both starches. NaCAS also delayed the gelatinisation of both starches but had a greater effect on waxy than normal rice starch. The addition of NaCAS did not affect Tonset but increased Tpeak for normal rice starch, whereas the gelatinisation temperature of waxy rice starch was highly affected by the addition of NaCAS with both Tonset and Tpeak shifted to higher temperatures. MPC had no affect on the gelatinization temperature of normal rice starch, whereas the gelatinization temperature of waxy rice starch was increased by the addition of MPC. The addition of WPI to both rice starches showed two thermal transitions. The first of these was due to the gelatinisation of the starches and the second to the denaturation of ß-lactoglobulin (ß-lg). The addition of WPI to normal rice starch showed that the thermal behaviour of normal starch and protein were independent from each other. In contrast, the thermal behaviour of waxy rice starch was modified by the addition of WPI; both Tonset and Tpeak were increased. SMP decreased the Tonset of swelling, swelling ratio and the amount of starch leaching from both starches. These observed changes were due to the presence of lactose and ions in SMP. NaCAS slightly increased Tonset of swelling but the amount of starch leaching was reduced for both rice starches. The rigidity of both starches tended to increase in the presence of NaCAS. MPC and WPI affected the swelling behaviour of normal and waxy rice starch differently. A dramatic increase in the swelling of normal rice starch/MPC or WPI mixtures was observed, whereas this trend was not evident for waxy rice starch/ MPC or WPI mixtures. The difference in the water holding ability and gelatinization peak temperatures of the two starches over the temperature range at which whey proteins denature and form gels are believed to be responsible for the observed differences. The results from confocal microscopy showed that milk proteins, such as a-casein, ß- casein, ß-lg and a-lactalbumin (a-la), were adsorbed onto the granule surface of both normal and waxy rice starch. The mechanism for this adsorption is the hydrophilic interactions; hydrogen bonds between hydroxyl group from terminated glucan molecule that protrude around starch granule surface-hydroxyl; amino, or other electron-donation or electron-accepting groups of the added proteins. Using sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) it was found that for SMP and MPC the adsorbed as- to ß-casein ratio on both starches was similar to the as-casein to ß- casein ratio in the casein micelle at low SMP and MPC concentrations. But at high concentrations of SMP or MPC, this ratio decreased indicating that more ß-casein was adsorbed preferentially to as-casein. In the case of NaCAS, as-casein was adsorbed preferentially to ß-casein. Moreover, there was evidence of multilayer adsorption of ascasein into the surface of rice starch granules. Compared to the other milk protein ingredients, very small amounts of the ß-lg and a-la from WPI were adsorbed onto starch granules. However, the adsorbed amounts of ß-lg and a-la from WPI continuously increased with increasing WPI concentration, suggesting that these two proteins, particularly ß-lg, adsorbed in multilayers too.

The overall aim of this thesis is to determine if the interactions between normal and waxy rice starch and milk proteins from four milk protein ingredients, namely skim milk powder (SMP), milk protein concentrate (MPC), sodium caseinate (NaCAS) and whey protein isolate (WPI) do occur, and to identify the mechanisms underlying these interactions. Different milk protein ingredients at various concentrations (0 to 10%, w/w) affected markedly and differently the pasting behaviour of 10% (w/w) rice starches. SMP delayed the pasting of both rice starches by increasing the onset temperature (Tonset) and the peak viscosity temperature (Tpeak) of pasting. This was mainly due to the presence of lactose and ions, which was further supported by the investigation of the effects of UFSMP (a solution of salts and lactose present in SMP at their proper concentration) and lactose. The addition of NaCAS also delayed the pasting of rice starch; Tpeak in the case of both starches was increased. For normal rice starch paste, MPC and WPI decreased the Tpeak. MPC had no affect on Tpeak of waxy rice starch paste. The qualitative viscoelastic behaviour of rice starch/milk protein ingredient gels obtained from the above pastes was dominated by the continuous phase made of the starch molecules. There was evidence, as indicated by confocal microscopy, of phase separation between the milk proteins of SMP and MPC and the two starches. The phase separation was not observed in the addition of either NaCAS or WPI. Studies on the thermal behaviour of rice starch/milk protein ingredient mixtures by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that SMP, similarly to UFSMP, delayed the gelatinization of both starches. NaCAS also delayed the gelatinisation of both starches but had a greater effect on waxy than normal rice starch. The addition of NaCAS did not affect Tonset but increased Tpeak for normal rice starch, whereas the gelatinisation temperature of waxy rice starch was highly affected by the addition of NaCAS with both Tonset and Tpeak shifted to higher temperatures. MPC had no affect on the gelatinization temperature of normal rice starch, whereas the gelatinization temperature of waxy rice starch was increased by the addition of MPC. The addition of WPI to both rice starches showed two thermal transitions. The first of these was due to the gelatinisation of the starches and the second to the denaturation of ß-lactoglobulin (ß-lg). The addition of WPI to normal rice starch showed that the thermal behaviour of normal starch and protein were independent from each other. In contrast, the thermal behaviour of waxy rice starch was modified by the addition of WPI; both Tonset and Tpeak were increased. SMP decreased the Tonset of swelling, swelling ratio and the amount of starch leaching from both starches. These observed changes were due to the presence of lactose and ions in SMP. NaCAS slightly increased Tonset of swelling but the amount of starch leaching was reduced for both rice starches. The rigidity of both starches tended to increase in the presence of NaCAS. MPC and WPI affected the swelling behaviour of normal and waxy rice starch differently. A dramatic increase in the swelling of normal rice starch/MPC or WPI mixtures was observed, whereas this trend was not evident for waxy rice starch/ MPC or WPI mixtures. The difference in the water holding ability and gelatinization peak temperatures of the two starches over the temperature range at which whey proteins denature and form gels are believed to be responsible for the observed differences. The results from confocal microscopy showed that milk proteins, such as a-casein, ß- casein, ß-lg and a-lactalbumin (a-la), were adsorbed onto the granule surface of both normal and waxy rice starch. The mechanism for this adsorption is the hydrophilic interactions; hydrogen bonds between hydroxyl group from terminated glucan molecule that protrude around starch granule surface-hydroxyl; amino, or other electron-donation or electron-accepting groups of the added proteins. Using sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) it was found that for SMP and MPC the adsorbed as- to ß-casein ratio on both starches was similar to the as-casein to ß- casein ratio in the casein micelle at low SMP and MPC concentrations. But at high concentrations of SMP or MPC, this ratio decreased indicating that more ß-casein was adsorbed preferentially to as-casein. In the case of NaCAS, as-casein was adsorbed preferentially to ß-casein. Moreover, there was evidence of multilayer adsorption of ascasein into the surface of rice starch granules. Compared to the other milk protein ingredients, very small amounts of the ß-lg and a-la from WPI were adsorbed onto starch granules. However, the adsorbed amounts of ß-lg and a-la from WPI continuously increased with increasing WPI concentration, suggesting that these two proteins, particularly ß-lg, adsorbed in multilayers too.

The overall aim of this thesis is to determine if the interactions between normal and waxy rice starch and milk proteins from four milk protein ingredients, namely skim milk powder (SMP), milk protein concentrate (MPC), sodium caseinate (NaCAS) and whey protein isolate (WPI) do occur, and to identify the mechanisms underlying these interactions. Different milk protein ingredients at various concentrations (0 to 10%, w/w) affected markedly and differently the pasting behaviour of 10% (w/w) rice starches. SMP delayed the pasting of both rice starches by increasing the onset temperature (Tonset) and the peak viscosity temperature (Tpeak) of pasting. This was mainly due to the presence of lactose and ions, which was further supported by the investigation of the effects of UFSMP (a solution of salts and lactose present in SMP at their proper concentration) and lactose. The addition of NaCAS also delayed the pasting of rice starch; Tpeak in the case of both starches was increased. For normal rice starch paste, MPC and WPI decreased the Tpeak. MPC had no affect on Tpeak of waxy rice starch paste. The qualitative viscoelastic behaviour of rice starch/milk protein ingredient gels obtained from the above pastes was dominated by the continuous phase made of the starch molecules. There was evidence, as indicated by confocal microscopy, of phase separation between the milk proteins of SMP and MPC and the two starches. The phase separation was not observed in the addition of either NaCAS or WPI. Studies on the thermal behaviour of rice starch/milk protein ingredient mixtures by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that SMP, similarly to UFSMP, delayed the gelatinization of both starches. NaCAS also delayed the gelatinisation of both starches but had a greater effect on waxy than normal rice starch. The addition of NaCAS did not affect Tonset but increased Tpeak for normal rice starch, whereas the gelatinisation temperature of waxy rice starch was highly affected by the addition of NaCAS with both Tonset and Tpeak shifted to higher temperatures. MPC had no affect on the gelatinization temperature of normal rice starch, whereas the gelatinization temperature of waxy rice starch was increased by the addition of MPC. The addition of WPI to both rice starches showed two thermal transitions. The first of these was due to the gelatinisation of the starches and the second to the denaturation of ß-lactoglobulin (ß-lg). The addition of WPI to normal rice starch showed that the thermal behaviour of normal starch and protein were independent from each other. In contrast, the thermal behaviour of waxy rice starch was modified by the addition of WPI; both Tonset and Tpeak were increased. SMP decreased the Tonset of swelling, swelling ratio and the amount of starch leaching from both starches. These observed changes were due to the presence of lactose and ions in SMP. NaCAS slightly increased Tonset of swelling but the amount of starch leaching was reduced for both rice starches. The rigidity of both starches tended to increase in the presence of NaCAS. MPC and WPI affected the swelling behaviour of normal and waxy rice starch differently. A dramatic increase in the swelling of normal rice starch/MPC or WPI mixtures was observed, whereas this trend was not evident for waxy rice starch/ MPC or WPI mixtures. The difference in the water holding ability and gelatinization peak temperatures of the two starches over the temperature range at which whey proteins denature and form gels are believed to be responsible for the observed differences. The results from confocal microscopy showed that milk proteins, such as a-casein, ß- casein, ß-lg and a-lactalbumin (a-la), were adsorbed onto the granule surface of both normal and waxy rice starch. The mechanism for this adsorption is the hydrophilic interactions; hydrogen bonds between hydroxyl group from terminated glucan molecule that protrude around starch granule surface-hydroxyl; amino, or other electron-donation or electron-accepting groups of the added proteins. Using sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) it was found that for SMP and MPC the adsorbed as- to ß-casein ratio on both starches was similar to the as-casein to ß- casein ratio in the casein micelle at low SMP and MPC concentrations. But at high concentrations of SMP or MPC, this ratio decreased indicating that more ß-casein was adsorbed preferentially to as-casein. In the case of NaCAS, as-casein was adsorbed preferentially to ß-casein. Moreover, there was evidence of multilayer adsorption of ascasein into the surface of rice starch granules. Compared to the other milk protein ingredients, very small amounts of the ß-lg and a-la from WPI were adsorbed onto starch granules. However, the adsorbed amounts of ß-lg and a-la from WPI continuously increased with increasing WPI concentration, suggesting that these two proteins, particularly ß-lg, adsorbed in multilayers too.

The aim of the present study was to describe the genetic polymorphism of the -LG milk protein locus in the Lithuanian Blackface sheep breed obtained using isoelectric focusing (IEF) method and in the Lithuanian Native Coarse wool sheep – using PCR-RFLP method. The results of study as follows: in Lithuanian Blackface sheep two genetic variants A and B with allele frequency of A=0.52 and B=0.48 were identified. The most frequent genotype in Lithuanian Blackface breed, detected in 66.7 % of studied individuals, was heterozygous genotype AB. Homozygous genotypes AA and BB were observed at frequencies of 19.0 % and 14.3 %, respectively. In Lithuanian Native Coarse wool sheep two genetic variants A and B with allele frequency of A=0.69 and B=0.31 were identified. The BB genotype was not frequent (7.8 %) in Lithuanian Native Coarse wool breed. The genotypes AA and AB were observed at frequency of 46.1 %. Mean observed heterozygosity value (Hobs=0.511) in Lithuanian Blackface sheep was slightly lower than mean expected heterozygosity (Hexp=0.667). In Lithuanian Native Coarse wool sheep mean expected heterozygosity value (Hobs=0.461) was similar to the mean observed heterozygosity (Hexp=0.434). The deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was not detected in any of those breeds. Conclusions: the detected high frequency of genotype AB in meat-wool type Lithuanian Blackface and Lithuanian Native Coarse wool sheep might be in agreement with the observations made by Bocharev. Since the... [to full text]

The effects of peptides derived from β-lactoglobulin and α-lactalbumin on metabolic syndrome were studied. α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin were hydrolyzed with trypsin, alcalase, flavourzyme, or a combination of alcalase and flavourzyme and fractionated. Angiotensin coverting enzyme inhibition of the < 1 kDa fraction of alcalase hydrolyzed β-lactoglobulin was 95 %. Antioxidant activity of the < 1 kDa fraction of β-lactoglobulin hydrolyzed with a combination of alcalase and flavourzyme was 18 %. Stimulated adipocytes incubated with the < 1 kDa fraction of β-lactoglobulin hydrolyzed with either trypsin or alcalase produced 30 pg/mL of interleukin 6. Adiponectin and glucose transporter type 4 secretions increased 1.1 and 0.86 fold respectively during incubation with the < 1 kDa fraction of β-lactoglobulin hydrolyzed with a combination of alcalase and flavourzyme. Results indicate that β-lactoglobulin peptides formed with alcalase and a combination of alcalase and flavourzyme influence markers associated with metabolic syndrome and may be useful as functional foods or nutraceuticals.

The effects of peptides derived from β-lactoglobulin and α-lactalbumin on metabolic syndrome were studied. α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin were hydrolyzed with trypsin, alcalase, flavourzyme, or a combination of alcalase and flavourzyme and fractionated. Angiotensin coverting enzyme inhibition of the < 1 kDa fraction of alcalase hydrolyzed β-lactoglobulin was 95 %. Antioxidant activity of the < 1 kDa fraction of β-lactoglobulin hydrolyzed with a combination of alcalase and flavourzyme was 18 %. Stimulated adipocytes incubated with the < 1 kDa fraction of β-lactoglobulin hydrolyzed with either trypsin or alcalase produced 30 pg/mL of interleukin 6. Adiponectin and glucose transporter type 4 secretions increased 1.1 and 0.86 fold respectively during incubation with the < 1 kDa fraction of β-lactoglobulin hydrolyzed with a combination of alcalase and flavourzyme. Results indicate that β-lactoglobulin peptides formed with alcalase and a combination of alcalase and flavourzyme influence markers associated with metabolic syndrome and may be useful as functional foods or nutraceuticals.

The overall aim of this thesis is to determine if the interactions between normal and waxy rice starch and milk proteins from four milk protein ingredients, namely skim milk powder (SMP), milk protein concentrate (MPC), sodium caseinate (NaCAS) and whey protein isolate (WPI) do occur, and to identify the mechanisms underlying these interactions. Different milk protein ingredients at various concentrations (0 to 10%, w/w) affected markedly and differently the pasting behaviour of 10% (w/w) rice starches. SMP delayed the pasting of both rice starches by increasing the onset temperature (Tonset) and the peak viscosity temperature (Tpeak) of pasting. This was mainly due to the presence of lactose and ions, which was further supported by the investigation of the effects of UFSMP (a solution of salts and lactose present in SMP at their proper concentration) and lactose. The addition of NaCAS also delayed the pasting of rice starch; Tpeak in the case of both starches was increased. For normal rice starch paste, MPC and WPI decreased the Tpeak. MPC had no affect on Tpeak of waxy rice starch paste. The qualitative viscoelastic behaviour of rice starch/milk protein ingredient gels obtained from the above pastes was dominated by the continuous phase made of the starch molecules. There was evidence, as indicated by confocal microscopy, of phase separation between the milk proteins of SMP and MPC and the two starches. The phase separation was not observed in the addition of either NaCAS or WPI. Studies on the thermal behaviour of rice starch/milk protein ingredient mixtures by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that SMP, similarly to UFSMP, delayed the gelatinization of both starches. NaCAS also delayed the gelatinisation of both starches but had a greater effect on waxy than normal rice starch. The addition of NaCAS did not affect Tonset but increased Tpeak for normal rice starch, whereas the gelatinisation temperature of waxy rice starch was highly affected by the addition of NaCAS with both Tonset and Tpeak shifted to higher temperatures. MPC had no affect on the gelatinization temperature of normal rice starch, whereas the gelatinization temperature of waxy rice starch was increased by the addition of MPC. The addition of WPI to both rice starches showed two thermal transitions. The first of these was due to the gelatinisation of the starches and the second to the denaturation of ß-lactoglobulin (ß-lg). The addition of WPI to normal rice starch showed that the thermal behaviour of normal starch and protein were independent from each other. In contrast, the thermal behaviour of waxy rice starch was modified by the addition of WPI; both Tonset and Tpeak were increased. SMP decreased the Tonset of swelling, swelling ratio and the amount of starch leaching from both starches. These observed changes were due to the presence of lactose and ions in SMP. NaCAS slightly increased Tonset of swelling but the amount of starch leaching was reduced for both rice starches. The rigidity of both starches tended to increase in the presence of NaCAS. MPC and WPI affected the swelling behaviour of normal and waxy rice starch differently. A dramatic increase in the swelling of normal rice starch/MPC or WPI mixtures was observed, whereas this trend was not evident for waxy rice starch/ MPC or WPI mixtures. The difference in the water holding ability and gelatinization peak temperatures of the two starches over the temperature range at which whey proteins denature and form gels are believed to be responsible for the observed differences. The results from confocal microscopy showed that milk proteins, such as a-casein, ß- casein, ß-lg and a-lactalbumin (a-la), were adsorbed onto the granule surface of both normal and waxy rice starch. The mechanism for this adsorption is the hydrophilic interactions; hydrogen bonds between hydroxyl group from terminated glucan molecule that protrude around starch granule surface-hydroxyl; amino, or other electron-donation or electron-accepting groups of the added proteins. Using sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) it was found that for SMP and MPC the adsorbed as- to ß-casein ratio on both starches was similar to the as-casein to ß- casein ratio in the casein micelle at low SMP and MPC concentrations. But at high concentrations of SMP or MPC, this ratio decreased indicating that more ß-casein was adsorbed preferentially to as-casein. In the case of NaCAS, as-casein was adsorbed preferentially to ß-casein. Moreover, there was evidence of multilayer adsorption of ascasein into the surface of rice starch granules. Compared to the other milk protein ingredients, very small amounts of the ß-lg and a-la from WPI were adsorbed onto starch granules. However, the adsorbed amounts of ß-lg and a-la from WPI continuously increased with increasing WPI concentration, suggesting that these two proteins, particularly ß-lg, adsorbed in multilayers too.