Behaviour of homogenized fat globules during the spray drying of whole milk

The changes in milk fat globule size and fat globule surface proteins of both low-preheated and high-preheated concentrated milks, which were homogenized at low or high pressure prior to spray drying using a disc atomization drier, were examined. The average fat globule size (d32) of the spray-dried milk powders was smaller than that of the corresponding concentrates, but a small proportion of very large globules (4–80 μm) was also formed during spray drying. As a consequence, total surface protein (mg protein g−1 fat) increased due to the adsorption of casein micelles at the fat globule surface during spray drying. Confocal micrographs of the powders showed some apparent spreading of the fat on the surface of the powder particles, particularly when the concentrates were homogenized at low pressure. These results indicate disruption of the milk fat globules during spray drying, which consequently causes changes in the fat globule surface protein layer.