The use of xanthan gum in a milk-containing ice cream with the whey protein microparticulate

Hydrocolloids of stabilization systems are necessary components in ice cream production. They influence viscosity, stabilization of structural elements and melting rate. Their role is especially important in production of ice cream with the low content of fat and nonfat milk solids. Today, specialized stabilization systems for production of such ice cream are absent. Moreover, when choosing stabilization systems, there are problems of economic character that are linked with an increase in prices on the effective polysaccharide — locust bean gum. The aim of the research was substantiation of the composition of the effective formulation of hydrocolloids using their available variety, xanthan gum, to use in production of milk-containing ice cream (with the reduced content of fat and dry nonfat milk substances). To achieve the best quality indicators, a whey protein microparticulate was introduced into milk-containing ice cream. Based on the synergetic properties of hydrocolloids in terms of dynamic viscosity, the composition of four formulations was determined with the content of xanthan gum of 8.6% (in samples 1 and 2), 16% (in sample 3) and 3% (in sample 4). Ice cream with the complex stabilization system of the trademark Cremodan 334 was produced as a control sample. The following indicators were determined in all samples: dynamic viscosity, viscoelastic characteristics (hardness, adhesion strength, gumminess), melting rate, condition and dispersity of the air phase and ice crystals. All developed formulations were superior to the control sample in terms of viscosity by 1.2–2 times. It has been found that replacement of the kappa-carrageenan fraction with iota-carrageenan in combination with guar gum and xanthan gum in an amount of 50% leads to a decrease in viscosity by 1.3 times. A reduction of visco-elastic characteristics was noted in the samples of hydrocolloid formulations under study. When using iota-carrageenan (samples 2 and 4), a notable reduction of thermal stability of ice cream was revealed in sample 4. Furthermore, a decrease in dispersity of the air phase was observed; the content of air bubbles with a size of 50 µm reduced by almost 30%. Based on the results of the investigations, it has been established that the formulation of hydrocolloids of ice cream sample 1, which consists of mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids, guar gum, xanthan gum and kappa-carrageenan, allows obtaining a product with technologically necessary quality indicators and the most cream-like consistency.