Changes in Composition and Functional Properties of Dairy Products Made With Altered Milk Fat

Abstract

Based on the conclusions from our first experiment we developed an experiment to define the optimal amount of intestinally available oleic acid to produce a milk fat with the highest possible monounsaturated fatty acid content and satisfactory functional characteristics. We infused increasing amounts of high oleic sunflower fatty acids (0, 250, 750, and 1000 g/d) into the abomasum of four lactating dairy cows, in a change-over design. Results led us to conclude that decisions on the optimal amount of oleic acid infusion have to consider animal feeding behavior, nutritional quality of milk fat, and functional properties of targeted dairy products. Products under freezing temperatures, like ice creams, may tolerate higher oleic acid infusion levels than whipping creams or butter oil. Palmitic acid should be present in milk fat composition in at least 20% to keep functional properties for most of the products under study. Changes in 21 triglyceride fractions were statistically correlated to functional attributes.