Process for making a shelf-stable milk based beverage concentrate
AssigneeDairyvative Technologies, LLC
InventorCharles E. Sizer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A concentrate, system and low-temperature process for preparing a shelf-stable milk concentrate that does not require ultra-high temperature thermal processing for control of the microbiology of the product is disclosed herein. The method preferably incorporates aseptic technology and the enzymatic reduction of lactose to control water activity. The method preferably includes the enzymatic conversion of the lactose in the milk to its component sugars glucose and galactose, which preferably changes the colligative properties of the concentrate, decreases the amount of free water, and reduces the osmolarity.
Claims20
A method for preparing a shelf-stable milk concentrate, the method comprising:
- concentrating milk using low temperature, vacuum evaporation to produce a milk concentrate;
- adding a lactase enzyme and water to the milk concentrate to hydrolyze the milk concentrate into a concentrate of glucose and galactose;
- and
- dissolving anhydrous sugar into the concentrate of glucose and galactose to form a shelf-stable milk concentrate e activity.
A method for preparing a shelf-stable milk concentrate, the method comprising:
- adding a lactase enzyme and water to a milk concentrate to hydrolyze the milk concentrate into a hydrolyzed milk concentrate comprising glucose and galactose, the hydrolyzed milk concentrate having a minimal water activity.
The method according to claim wherein a minimal water activity is less than 0.85.
A system for preparing a shelf-stable milk concentrate, the system comprising:
- a source of a milk product;
- means for concentrating the milk product using low temperature, vacuum evaporation to produce a milk concentrate;
- and
- means for adding a lactase enzyme and water to the milk concentrate to hydrolyze the milk concentrate into a hydrolyzed milk concentrate comprising glucose and galactose.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.