Connection between dynamic rheometry and pair interactions of casein micelles in concentrated skim milk

The objective of this work was to relate dynamic rheological data to the pair interaction potential between casein micelles (CM) in concentrated systems. The elastic moduli at high frequencies (G∞′) were obtained by fitting experimental data from the literature for CM dispersions at different concentrations using a Maxwell model. G∞′ values were also obtained using the Buscall model and the pair interaction potential (U) obtained with DLVO-type theoretical predictions proposed for CM and for sterically stabilized colloidal particles. It was observed that moduli G∞′ obtained from experimental data are in agreement with theoretical predictions. Therefore, this methodology allows connecting the dynamic rheometric data with pair interaction potentials of CM in concentrated skim milk dispersions and it may help to infer about the stability of milk concentrates.