Antioxidant Maillard Reaction Products from Milk Whey: A Food By-Product Valorisation

The Maillard reaction (MR) is a key process in food science, producing bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. This study evaluates the antioxidant potential of MR products (MRPs) from different dairy byproducts—cow cheese whey, goat cheese whey, and cow yoghurt whey—highlighting their appl...

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Main Authors: Sara Bolchini, Tiziana Nardin, Ksenia Morozova, Matteo Scampicchio, Roberto Larcher
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/3/450
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author Sara Bolchini
Tiziana Nardin
Ksenia Morozova
Matteo Scampicchio
Roberto Larcher
author_facet Sara Bolchini
Tiziana Nardin
Ksenia Morozova
Matteo Scampicchio
Roberto Larcher
author_sort Sara Bolchini
collection DOAJ
description The Maillard reaction (MR) is a key process in food science, producing bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. This study evaluates the antioxidant potential of MR products (MRPs) from different dairy byproducts—cow cheese whey, goat cheese whey, and cow yoghurt whey—highlighting their applicability in food preservation and waste valorisation. Whey samples were subjected to the MR at 140 °C for 90 min, showing significant amino acid and sugar consumption, particularly arginine, histidine, and lactose. Using a library of potential antioxidant MRPs (molecular weight < 250 Da), 28 key compounds, including 2-pyrrolecarboxaldehyde and maltol isomer, were identified, primarily in cow cheese whey. A complementary high-molecular-weight MRP library (≥250 Da) identified 72 additional antioxidant compounds, with distinct production patterns linked to whey type. Multivariate analyses confirmed that whey type strongly influences MRP profiles. These results highlight the potential of MR to transform whey by-products into valuable sources of natural antioxidants. This approach offers sustainable strategies for enhancing food preservation, reducing food waste, and supporting the targeted use of MRPs in the food industry.
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publishDate 2025-01-01
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series Foods
spelling doaj-art-e2b672d0a22b4d13a530cf43ee011f3a2025-08-20T02:12:30ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-01-0114345010.3390/foods14030450Antioxidant Maillard Reaction Products from Milk Whey: A Food By-Product ValorisationSara Bolchini0Tiziana Nardin1Ksenia Morozova2Matteo Scampicchio3Roberto Larcher4Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science, Free University of Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, ItalyCentro di Trasferimento Tecnologico, Fondazione Edmund Mach, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, ItalyFaculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science, Free University of Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, ItalyFaculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science, Free University of Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, ItalyCentro di Trasferimento Tecnologico, Fondazione Edmund Mach, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, ItalyThe Maillard reaction (MR) is a key process in food science, producing bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. This study evaluates the antioxidant potential of MR products (MRPs) from different dairy byproducts—cow cheese whey, goat cheese whey, and cow yoghurt whey—highlighting their applicability in food preservation and waste valorisation. Whey samples were subjected to the MR at 140 °C for 90 min, showing significant amino acid and sugar consumption, particularly arginine, histidine, and lactose. Using a library of potential antioxidant MRPs (molecular weight < 250 Da), 28 key compounds, including 2-pyrrolecarboxaldehyde and maltol isomer, were identified, primarily in cow cheese whey. A complementary high-molecular-weight MRP library (≥250 Da) identified 72 additional antioxidant compounds, with distinct production patterns linked to whey type. Multivariate analyses confirmed that whey type strongly influences MRP profiles. These results highlight the potential of MR to transform whey by-products into valuable sources of natural antioxidants. This approach offers sustainable strategies for enhancing food preservation, reducing food waste, and supporting the targeted use of MRPs in the food industry.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/3/450Maillard reactionfood by-product valorisationantioxidantsmilk wheyhigh-resolution mass spectrometry
spellingShingle Sara Bolchini
Tiziana Nardin
Ksenia Morozova
Matteo Scampicchio
Roberto Larcher
Antioxidant Maillard Reaction Products from Milk Whey: A Food By-Product Valorisation
Foods
Maillard reaction
food by-product valorisation
antioxidants
milk whey
high-resolution mass spectrometry
title Antioxidant Maillard Reaction Products from Milk Whey: A Food By-Product Valorisation
title_full Antioxidant Maillard Reaction Products from Milk Whey: A Food By-Product Valorisation
title_fullStr Antioxidant Maillard Reaction Products from Milk Whey: A Food By-Product Valorisation
title_full_unstemmed Antioxidant Maillard Reaction Products from Milk Whey: A Food By-Product Valorisation
title_short Antioxidant Maillard Reaction Products from Milk Whey: A Food By-Product Valorisation
title_sort antioxidant maillard reaction products from milk whey a food by product valorisation
topic Maillard reaction
food by-product valorisation
antioxidants
milk whey
high-resolution mass spectrometry
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/3/450
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AT tiziananardin antioxidantmaillardreactionproductsfrommilkwheyafoodbyproductvalorisation
AT kseniamorozova antioxidantmaillardreactionproductsfrommilkwheyafoodbyproductvalorisation
AT matteoscampicchio antioxidantmaillardreactionproductsfrommilkwheyafoodbyproductvalorisation
AT robertolarcher antioxidantmaillardreactionproductsfrommilkwheyafoodbyproductvalorisation