The improving effect of spray-drying encapsulation process on the bitter taste and stability of whey protein hydrolysate

Although whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) possesses good physiological functionality, its bitter taste and hygroscopic property limit its direct utilization as food ingredient. The aim of this work was to encapsulate whey protein hydrolysate by spray drying using maltodextrin or maltodextrin/beta-cyclodextrin mixture as wall materials to attenuate the bitter taste and enhance the stability of whey protein hydrolysate. Hygroscopicity, glass transition temperature, bitter taste, and morphology of non-encapsulated WPH and encapsulated WPH were evaluated. Solubility, particle size, bulk density, and moisture content were also measured. Compared with the non-encapsulated WPH, the encapsulated WPH exhibited significantly lower hygroscopicity and higher glass transition temperature. The bitterness of both maltodextrin-encapsulated WPH and maltodextrin/beta-cyclodextrin-encapsulated WPH was significantly lower than that of the original non-encapsulated WPH. Morphological analysis by scanning electron microscopy showed that the microcapsules of the spray-dried encapsulated WPH were matrix-type with less link bridge and had a continuous wall with many concavities. In addition, encapsulation process did not exert negative effect on the solubility of whey protein hydrolysate. The results indicated that encapsulation with maltodextrin and beta-cyclodextrin as carriers was helpful to attenuate the bitter taste and enhance the stability of whey protein hydrolysate.