FrieslandCampina Ingredients launches heat-stable whey protein for medical nutrition

27 Nov 2023 --- By using microparticulation technology, FrieslandCampina Ingredients has created a heat-stable whey protein ingredient — Nutri Whey ProHeat — while most whey proteins are irreversibly denatured during traditional heat treatments. The new ingredient can be added to medical nutrition products to provide a nutrient-dense liquid formulation with low viscosity, neutral pH, good drinkability and a clean taste. 

Traditionally, liquid oral nutritional supplements (ONS) are based on casein proteins, which tolerate high-heat treatments. However, FrieslandCampina Ingredients notes that whey protein is higher in the amino acid leucine — crucial to muscle health — and is more quickly digested than casein, resulting in faster and higher levels of blood plasma leucine and other essential amino acids. 

“Whey has not often been considered for use in ONS because it is not easily heat-treated. When heated to high temperatures (typically over 75°C) most whey proteins are irreversibly denatured,” Vicky Davies, global senior marketing director of performance, Active & Medical Nutrition at FrieslandCampina Ingredients tells Nutrition Insight. 

“This denaturation causes processing challenges with gelation in the final product negatively affecting sensory appeal and drinkability. But whey protein is more quickly digested and has a higher leucine content than casein, meaning there are substantial benefits to patients if we can formulate liquid oral nutritional supplements with casein and whey proteins.”

She adds that with Nutri Whey ProHeat the company has created an ingredient that will help patients access the benefits of whey protein more easily. 

Medical nutrition 
FrieslandCampina Ingredients explains that end products formulated with the new ingredient can support patient adherence with better sensory properties and provide access to additional nutritional benefits of whey protein. 

“Patient adherence to medical nutrition programs presents a significant challenge to healthcare providers. Over half of patients in the US and Europe cite the thickness of a beverage as the reason for not finishing it,” highlights Davies. 

“Nutri Whey ProHeat addresses this challenge by enabling medical nutrition manufacturers to provide patients with an improved nutritional profile compared to current market standards while also providing a superior sensory profile all to speed recovery and improve adherence.”

Nutri Whey ProHeat supports formulations with up to 15% protein from whey and casein protein in a 2 kcal/ml solution.Nutri Whey ProHeat supports formulations with up to 15% protein from whey and casein protein in a 2 kcal/ml solution. 

“Historically, ONS for medical nutrition have been formulated with casein — a protein that makes up approximately 80% of all protein found in cow’s milk,” explains Davies. 

“Casein protein is ideal for this type of formulation — not only because it delivers high-quality protein, but also because it tolerates high heat treatment processes which is essential for liquid medical nutrition formulation.”

Microparticulation technology 
The company’s Nutri Whey ProHeat employs a patent-pending microparticulation process to form small aggregates through thermal treatment, ensuring the whey proteins’ stability under high heat conditions. 

Davies explains: “The microparticulated proteins in Nutri Whey ProHeat are produced by thermal denaturation of the whey proteins under high shear stress. This results in a combination of insoluble aggregates and native proteins with a narrow particle size distribution.” 

“The result is a heat stable whey protein that can withstand ultra-high temperature treatment to make it possible to produce nutrient dense liquid oral nutritional supplements with a high whey protein content and a low viscosity.”

Muscle health in malnutrition
Maintaining muscle mass is crucial for patient recovery. FrieslandCampina Ingredients notes that one in four people admitted to hospitals suffers from disease-related malnutrition, which makes it challenging to maintain muscle health. 

Moreover, improving patient adherence to medical nutrition programs is a priority for healthcare providers. The company notes that medical nutrition companies are ideally placed to support this area. 

FrieslandCampina Ingredients will unveil the new product at this year’s Food Ingredients Europe trade show in Germany from 28-30 November, where the company will spotlight its protein and prebiotic products. 

Last week, Nutricia highlighted the efficacy of plant-based supplements to address malnutrition. The company underscored the importance of providing patients with options in ONS, adding that plant-based alternatives could help with compliance as they provide different tastes and variety. 

By Jolanda van Hal