INFLUENCE OF PROCESSING ON THE RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF ENTERAL NUTRITION PUDDINGS N. Nunez1, C. Valencia1, P. Partal1, J.M. Franco1, E. Brito-de la Fuente2, and C. Gallegos1 1 Departamento de Ingeniería Química. Universidad de Huelva. 21071 Huelva (Spain). and 2Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH. D-61440 Oberrusel (Germany) Abstract: Enteral nutrition is defined as oral or tube-delivered caloric sustenance products for consumers having a disability or disease with significant nutritional problems that cannot be managed by ordinary or blenderized food. Puddings are a class of enteral nutrition products that are designed to provide meal replacements. The rheological properties of puddings are very complex, being dramatically influenced by processing variables. In this sense, the overall objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of different processing and compositional variables of puddings, such as final thermal treatment, high pressure homogenization previous to its final thermal treatment, nature and concentration of the starch used in pudding formulation, and storage temperature after processing, on the rheological behavior and droplet size distribution of the final product. A strong influence of pudding final thermal treatment on pudding microstructure and rheology has been found. Another key variable is starch concentration. The results obtained seem to indicate that thermal treatment duration should be strongly linked to starch concentration in the pudding. On the other hand, high pressure homogenization treatment decreases mean particle size, and also the values of the viscous and linear viscoelasticity functions of enteral puddings. Keywords: enteral nutrition, pudding, starch, rheology, viscosity, viscoelasticity. 1. INTRODUCTION Enteral nutrition is defined as oral or tube-delivered caloric sustenance products for consumers demonstrating a disability or life-threatening disease with significant nutritional problems that cannot be managed by ordinary or blenderized food. Puddings are a class of enteral nutrition products that are designed to provide meal replacements. Pudding products are usually milk protein-based starch paste. Milk proteins are alternative ingredients to dairy proteins in many food products since they are a good source of essential amino acids. Therefore, selection of proper ingredients becomes very important for the development of a product with desirable physical and sensory properties. On the other side, starch is a major hydrocolloid ingredient, used as a thickening agent for the pudding system (Dickinson, 2003). To make desirable pudding paste, starch paste should be stable to heat and shearing and should give smooth texture, as well as good storage stability (Lagarrigue & Alvarez, 2001). Enteral nutrition puddings are enteral nutrition emulsions containing starch as thickening agent. The rheological properties of puddings are very complex (Lim & Narsimhan, 2005; Anderson et al., 2006), being dramatically influenced by processing variables. In this sense, the overall objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of different processing and compositional variables of enteral nutrition puddings, such as final thermal treatment, high pressure homogenization previous to its final thermal treatment, nature and concentration of the starch used in pudding formulation, and storage temperature after processing, on the rheological behavior and droplet size distribution of the final product. 2. EXPERIMENTAL 2.1. Materials Standard enteral nutrition emulsions, food native and chemically modified starches refined from tapioca (both of them used as thickeners) were kindly supplied by Fresenius Kabi. The vanilla flavour 1 commercial pudding product (Forticreme, Nutricia), used as a benchmark, was purchased at a local market. 2.2. Pudding manufacture Eight pudding formulations containing different starch concentrations (0.8-1.2% w/w) were manufactured (see Table 1). Specifically, a starch dispersion was added, at room temperature, to an enteral emulsion previously prepared according to commercial standard procedures (Fresenius Kabi). Then, the pH of the sample was adjusted to 7.1. Subsequently, samples were submitted to high pressure homogenization (Microfluidizer Processor, model M-110L, 550 bars, 1 step) and final thermal treatment (Steam Sterilizer, model RAYPA AES-12, 120ºC, holding time in the range from 35 to 60 min). Enteral puddings samples were stored in the fridge (4ºC), and at room temperature (25ºC). Table 1. Some compositional characteristics, relevant processing variables, and final mean volume diameter values for the different pudding samples studied Sample Starch Starch Concentration (%w/w) HPH Holding time (min) Storage temperature (ºC) D4,3(µm) 4ºC 25ºC A B C D E F G H Forticreme modified modified native modified modified modified modified modified 1.2 1.2 1.2 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.2 1.2 Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 35 35 35 35 35 60 45 40 4, 25 4, 25 4, 25 4, 25 4, 25 4, 25 4, 25 4, 25 35.6 53.3 120.6 142.4 72.8 50.2 33.0 30.8 22.2 25.8 31.6 31.7 95.3 119.1 21.5 28.4 44.0 44.0 2.3. Droplet size distribution characterization Droplet size distribution (DSD) measurements were made by using a Malvern Mastersizer X-analyser (MALVERN Mastersizer Hydro 2000MU, UK). Values of the mean volume diameter (d4,3) were obtained as follows (Orr, 1983): d4,3 = where ni is the number of droplets having a diameter di. 2.4. Rheological characterization The rheological characterization was carried out in a controlled-stress (MARS, HAAKE, Modular Advanced System) rheometer, at 25ºC. Small amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) tests, inside the linear viscoelasticity region, were carried out in a frequency range comprised between 100 and 0.068 rad/s, using a serrated plate-and-plate geometry (35 mm diameter, 1 mm gap). Stress sweep tests, at the frequency of 1 Hz, were previously performed on each sample to determine the linear viscoelasticity region. Viscous flow measurements were performed, in a shear rate range of 0.01 – 500 s-1. Serrated plate-plate geometry (35 mm diameter) was used in order to eliminate the wall-slip effects usually observed during the flow of these materials. All the samples had the same recent past thermal and mechanical history. At least two replicates of each test were carried out on fresh samples. 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 3.1. Influence of pudding high pressure homogenization The influence of the high pressure homogenization step on the rheological properties of pudding formulations containing 1.2% starch has been characterized. Table 1 shows mean volume diameter values for samples submitted, or not, to HPH (samples A and B, respectively), and stored at room or low temperature. Particle size dramatically decreases when the 2 sample is submitted to high pressure homogenization (sample A). Thus, the sample that has not been submitted to HPH shows larger mean volume diameter and wider particle size distribution, no matter storage temperature is. In addition, HPH yields lower mean particle size, although wider size distribution, than that obtained for the commercial pudding sample. Figures 1 and 2 show the viscous flow curves and the frequency dependence of the linear viscoelasticity functions, respectively, for the same pudding samples. As can be observed, the sample that was not submitted to HPH shows the largest viscosity and linear viscoelasticity values, in spite of its larger particle sizes and wider particle distributions. In addition, they are much higher than those obtained for the commercial pudding sample, no matter storage temperature is. On the contrary, the sample that was submitted to high pressure homogenization (sample A) shows viscosity values rather similar to those of the benchmark. 6 6 10 10 o o (a) 4 C (b) 25 C 5 10 5 4 10 3 10 2 10 10 4 10 (Pa·s) (Pa·s) 3 10 2 10 1 1 10 10 Sample A Sample B Forticreme 0 10 0 10 -1 -1 10 10 -3 -2 10 10 -1 10 0 1 10 2 10 . (1/s) 10 3 -3 10 -2 10 10 -1 10 0 10 1 2 10 10 . (1/s) 3 10 4 10 Figure (1). Influence of HPH on the viscous flow behaviour, at 25ºC, of pudding samples stored at room or low temperature. 5 5 10 10 o (c) 4 C o (d) 25 C 4 10 4 3 10 2 10 10 G´; G´´ (Pa) 2 10 1 G´; G´´ (Pa) 3 10 1 10 G´ 10 G´´ Sample A Sample B Forticreme 0 0 10 10 -2 10 -1 10 0 10 1 10 (rad/s) 2 10 -2 10 -1 10 0 10 1 10 (rad/s) 2 10 3 10 Figure (2). Influence of HPH on the frequency dependence of the storage and loss moduli, at 25ºC, of pudding samples stored at room or low temperature. 3.2. Influence of starch nature and concentration Figures 3 and 4 show the viscous flow curves and the frequency dependence of the linear viscoelasticity functions, respectively, for samples containing native (sample C) or chemically modified starch (sample A), stored at room or low temperature. As can be observed, samples containing native starch show larger viscosities and linear viscoelasticity functions values at both storage temperatures. This suggests that the chemically modified starch is less shear sensitive as compared to the native one. In addition, native starch-containing sample rheological functions are higher than those obtained for the commercial pudding sample, no matter storage temperature is. 3 6 6 10 10 o (e) 4 C o (f) 25 C 5 10 5 4 10 3 10 2 10 10 4 10 3 (Pa·s) (Pa·s) 10 2 10 1 1 10 10 Sample A Sample C Forticreme 0 10 0 10 -1 -1 10 10 -3 10 -2 -1 10 10 0 1 10 10 . (1/s) 2 3 10 10 -3 10 -2 -1 10 10 0 10 . 1 10 2 3 10 10 4 10 (1/s) Figure (3). Influence of starch nature on the viscous flow behaviour, at 25ºC, of pudding samples stored at room or low temperature. 5 5 10 10 o (g) 4 C o (h) 25 C 4 10 4 3 10 2 10 3 10 G´, G´´ (Pa) G´, G´´ (Pa) 10 2 10 1 1 10 G´ 10 G´´ Sample A Sample C Forticreme 0 10 -2 10 -1 0 10 10 1 2 10 (rad/s) 0 10 -2 10 10 -1 0 10 10 1 2 10 (rad/s) 3 10 10 Figure (4). Influence of starch nature on the frequency dependence of the storage and loss moduli, at 25ºC, of pudding samples stored at room or low temperature. The influence of starch concentration on pudding rheology has also been considered. Figures 5 and 6 show the viscous flow curves and the frequency dependence of the linear viscoelasticity functions, respectively, for samples containing 0.8% (sample D), 1.0% (sample E), and 1.2% (sample A) modified starch, stored at room or low temperature. Samples containing 0.8% starch show the largest viscosities and linear viscoelasticity functions values at both storage temperatures, displaying a continuous decrease in the rheological functions as starch concentration increases. These results are quite unexpected. However, taking into account that all the samples were submitted to the same final thermal treatment, it is apparent that the final rheological properties are strongly linked to both final thermal treatment and starch concentration in the pudding. Data not shown here suggest that protein aggregation play a major role in explaining this anomalous rheological behaviour. In addition, the rheological functions values for the most concentrated sample are similar to those obtained for the commercial pudding, whilst the differences increase as starch concentration decreases. 6 6 10 10 o o (i) 4 C (j) 25 C 5 10 5 4 10 3 10 2 10 1 10 10 4 10 3 (Pa·s) (Pa·s) 10 2 10 1 10 Sample A Sample D Sample E Forticreme 0 10 0 10 -1 -1 10 10 -3 10 -2 10 -1 10 0 10 . 1 10 (1/s) 2 10 3 10 -3 10 -2 10 -1 10 0 10 . 1 10 (1/s) 2 10 3 10 4 10 4 Figure (5). Influence of modified starch concentration on the viscous flow behaviour, at 25ºC, of pudding samples stored at room or low temperature. 5 5 10 10 o (k) 4 C o (l) 25 C 4 10 4 3 10 2 10 10 3 G´, G´´ (Pa) G´, G´´ (Pa) 10 2 10 G´ 1 10 G´´ 1 10 Sample A Sample D Sample E Forticreme 0 0 10 10 -2 -1 10 0 10 10 1 2 10 (rad/s) -2 10 -1 10 0 10 10 1 2 10 (rad/s) 3 10 10 Figure (6). Influence of modified starch concentration on the frequency dependence of the storage and loss moduli, at 25ºC, of pudding samples stored at room or low temperature. 3.3. Influence of final thermal treatment Figures 7 and 8 show the viscous flow curves the frequency dependence of the linear viscoelasticity functions, respectively, for samples submitted to different thermal treatment times. As can be observed, thermal treatment times longer than 35 min yield relatively similar viscosity and linear viscoelasticity functions values, higher than those obtained for the commercial enteral pudding. It is worth mentioning that sample G (45 min thermal treatment) shows the highest consistency. Similarly to the results obtained with sample B (not submitted to HPH), its larger mean particle size and wider distribution may be probably due to a bad performance during sample high pressure homogenization. In any case, the results confirm that the final thermal treatment time is related to the consistency of enteral puddings. In this sense, a longer time is necessary to obtain higher consistency as starch concentration increases. 6 6 10 10 o (m) 4 C o (n) 25 C 5 10 5 4 10 3 10 10 4 10 3 (Pa·s) (Pa·s) 10 2 10 2 10 1 1 10 10 Sample F Sample G Sample H Sample A Forticreme 0 10 -1 0 10 -1 10 10 -3 10 -2 10 -1 10 0 10 . 1 10 (1/s) 2 10 3 10 -3 10 -2 10 -1 10 0 10 . 1 10 2 10 3 10 4 10 (1/s) Figure (7). Influence of final thermal treatment time on the viscous flow behaviour, at 25ºC, of pudding samples stored at room or low temperature. 5 5 5 10 10 o (a) 4 C o (b) 25 C 4 10 4 3 10 2 10 10 3 G´, G´´ (Pa) G´, G´´ (Pa) 10 2 10 G´ 1 G´´ 10 1 10 Sample F Sample g Sample H Sample A Forticreme 0 10 -2 10 -1 10 0 10 1 10 (rad/s) 2 10 0 10 -2 10 -1 10 0 10 1 10 (rad/s) 2 10 3 10 Figure (8). Influence of final thermal treatment time on the frequency dependence of the storage and loss moduli, at 25ºC, of pudding samples stored at room or low temperature. 4. CONCLUSIONS From the experimental results obtained, we may conclude that the mean volume diameter of enteral puddings dramatically decreases when samples are submitted to high pressure homogenization. Samples with identical composition that are not submitted to high pressure homogenization show the largest viscosity and linear viscoelasticity values, in spite of its larger particle sizes and wider particle distributions. Starch nature has a significant influence on the rheology of pudding samples. Thus, native starchcontaining samples, submitted to HPH, show larger values of the viscous and linear viscoelaticity functions. In addition, starch concentration has a marked influence on the rheology of puddings. Finally, the results obtained confirm that the final thermal treatment time is related to the consistency of enteral puddings. In this sense, a longer time is necessary to obtain higher pudding consistency as starch concentration increases. REFERENCES Anderson, M.C., Shoemaker, C.F. & Singh R.P. (2006). Rheological characterization of aseptically packaged pudding. Journal of Texture Studies, 37, 681-695. Dickinson, E. (2003). Hydrocolloids at interfaces and the influence on the properties of dispersed systems. Food Hydrocolloids, 17(1), 25–39. Lim, H.S. & Narsimhan, G. (2005). Pasting and rheological behavior of soy protein-based pudding. LWT, 39, 343-349. Lagarrigue, S., & Alvarez, G. (2001). 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