Tracking changes in volatile components and lipids after homogenisation and thermal processing of milk

Milk processing affects the molecular and supramolecular characteristics of milk. While many of these changes have been studied extensively, the effect of homogenisation on volatile components and lipids at different pressures and temperatures is still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of homogenisation pressure (0, 150, 250 and 350 bar) at different temperatures (45 °C, 60 °C and 80 °C) on the content of individual milk volatile components, phospholipids and triacylglycerols. The results demonstrated the importance of temperature and pressure (P > 0.001) on the formation of 2-heptanone. Temperature was the most important factor for significant (P > 0.05) loss of the milk fat globule membrane lipid phosphatidyletholamine (PE) from the milk serum. Moreover, a significant increase (P > 0.001) in the level of all triacylglycerols groups in the serum phase of homogenised milk was observed, independent of the temperature of the homogenisation process.