Rehydration process of milk protein concentrate powder monitored by static light scattering

Static light scattering (SLS) was applied to monitor the rehydration process of milk protein concentrate (MPC) powder. The size distribution and volume concentration of the suspended powder particles were measured to quantify the dissolution kinetics of MPC powder. The results obtained showed that the low solubility index reported for MPC85 (85% protein) powder at room temperature was the consequence of slow dissolution kinetics rather than the presence of a large amount of insoluble material in the rehydrated powder. The rehydration process of MPC85 powder occurs in two overlapping steps: the disruption of agglomerated particles into primary powder particles and, simultaneously, the release of material from the powder particles into the surrounding aqueous phase. The latter process appeared to be the rate-limiting step of dissolution of MPC85 and was accelerated by an increase of the solvent temperature.