Application of transmission diffusing wave spectroscopy to the study of gelation of milk by acidification and rennet

Transmission diffusing wave spectroscopy has been used to study and compare three milk gelling systems (acid gelation of heated and unheated milks and rennet coagulation of unheated milk). In all cases, DWS was able to demonstrate the point of gelation as indicated by a rapid increase in particle size, as well as the small decreases in casein micelle radius attributed to the collapse or removal of the hairy K-casein layer. More importantly, the photon transport mean free path (l*) was measured. This parameter is unique to transmission DWS and can potentially give information about developing microstructures and the mechanical properties between different types of gels. The values of l* changed during the gelation processes, and these changes were manifested earlier than any change in particle aggregation or rheology of the systems. All three different gelling systems showed different changes in l* with time, showing the development of different interactions as the acidification or renneting reactions proceeded. Although a full analysis of the l* parameter and its changes cannot be made, it is concluded that they can provide important information on the pre-gelation states of aggregating systems. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.