Oxidation of aldehydes by xanthine oxidase located on the surface of emulsions and washed milk fat globules

The enzymatic activity of xanthine oxidase (XO) located within the native and recombined milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) on emulsion surfaces was investigated after successive washing with deionised water (DW) or simulated milk ultrafiltrate (SMUF). DW was more effective than SMUF at removing non-MFMG proteins from the globule surface. Surface XO activity on a protein basis increased after three washes due to loss of MFGM proteins to the serum phase. Recombined emulsions had higher surface enzymatic activity than washed native fat globule samples. The oxidation of acetaldehyde, 3-methylbutanal, 2-methylpropanol and 2-methylbutanal to the corresponding acids by XO on the globule surface was analysed. A higher proportion of aldehydes were depleted at higher XO activity when the initial aldehyde concentration was constant, and for higher initial concentrations of aldehydes. The recovery of aldehydes and acids was above 79%, indicating that the depleted aldehydes were mostly converted to the corresponding acids.