Zeta potential of pectin-stabilised casein aggregates in acidified milk drinks

High-methoxy (HM) pectin is commonly used to improve the stability of acidified milk drinks (AMDs) and zeta potential measurements can aid in elucidating the mechanisms responsible for the improved stability. Pectin was added to an AMD model system in concentrations of 0.0%, 0.1%, 0.3% or 0.5% and the samples were subjected to heat treatment at 75 °C for 20 min; control samples were not heated. A change in zeta potential from positive to negative values with addition of pectin was observed. Increasing the pectin concentration resulted in a more negative zeta potential. Heat treatment caused a decrease in the numeric value of the zeta potential, which indicates a partial desorption of pectin from the protein aggregates.