U.S. Dairy Products > Milk Proteins

Functional Properties

Milk proteins are high-quality proteins naturally found in milk. Due to their nutritional and functional benefits, milk protein ingredients expand the possibilities to formulate protein-packed foods and beverages that consumers demand.

Functional Properties of Milk Proteins

Function	Applications
Water binding, thickening and viscosity	Soups and sauces, meat products, bakery products, confectionery, chocolate, yogurt, cheese
Emulsification	Soups and sauces, ice cream, confectionery, meat products, coffee whitener
Foaming and whipping	Ice cream, desserts, whipped toppings
Gelation	Cheese, yogurt, bakery, confectionery
Heat stability	Recombined milk, soups and sauces, and enteral and clinical nutrition
Color/flavor development	Chocolate, confectionery

Function

Applications

Water binding, thickening and viscosity

Soups and sauces, meat products, bakery products, confectionery, chocolate, yogurt, cheese

Emulsification

Soups and sauces, ice cream, confectionery, meat products, coffee whitener

Foaming and whipping

Ice cream, desserts, whipped toppings

Gelation

Cheese, yogurt, bakery, confectionery

Heat stability

Recombined milk, soups and sauces, and enteral and clinical nutrition

Color/flavor development

Chocolate, confectionery