Composition and microstructure of buffalo skim milk powder as influenced by concentration and drying temperatures

Buffalo milk is at the top in pakistan's milk production and has established emergent research curiosity owing to its nutrient profile. the study was intended to assess the influence of concentration and drying temperatures on manufacturing and characteristics of buffalo skim milk powder. buffalo skim milk having 10.50% total solids (ts) was concentrated at 50°c to 25,30,35 and 40% ts. the concentrated samples were spray dried with an inlet temperature of 185,186,187 and 188°c. the powder was then analyzed for moisture,fat,protein,acidity,ash,scorched particles,bulk density and solubility index and examined by scanning electron microscopy (sem). the increase in brix considerably decreased the moisture content from 3.50 to 3.15%,increased the bulk density from 0.34 to 0.40 g/cm3 and the acidity from 1.06 to 1.18%. no significant change was recorded in scorched particles grade and solubility index. as anticipated,the rise in inlet drying temperature significantly decreased the moisture from 3.55 to 3.18% and increased the total solids from 96.82 to 96.45%,acidity from 1.04 to 1.17%,solubility index from 0.75 ml to 1.1 ml,the bulk density from 0.35 to 0.42 g/cm3 and the ashes from 7.8 to 8.0%. as perceived by sem,particles had smooth surfaces with dents of varying sizes. the particle sizes ranged from 2 to 52 μm in diameter. hence the study discriminated the characteristics of buffalo milk powder from that of cow as illustrated by previous studies and will facilitate further studies on buffalo milk. copyright 2015 zoological society of pakistan.