Assessment of the thermal treatment of milk during continuous microwave and conventional heating

The effect of continuous-flow microwave treatment of milk was estimated by using indicators of the heat treatment intensity (beta-lactoglobulin denaturation, inactivation of alkaline phosphatase and lactoperoxidase). Results were compared with those obtained using a conventional process having the same heating, holding, and cooling phases. Continuous microwave treatment proved to be an effective system for pasteurizing milk, with the inclusion of a holding phase to maintain the time and temperature conditions required. At high pasteurization temperatures, the extent of thermal denaturation observed with the microwave treatment was lower than that obtained with the conventional system. This result could be attributed to a better heat distribution and the lack of hot surfaces contacting the milk in the case of the microwave unit.