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Research background. Two methods of milk treatment were used, ultrasound (innovative method) and bactofugation, after which the physicochemical and sensory properties of the milk were examined, with the primary aim of achieving the quality and consistency of the pasteurized milk. Experimental approach. Ultrasound power of 200 and 400 W and frequency of 24 kHz with constant wave cycle were used. Milk was treated for 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 min with sonification at 20 °C (room temperature) and thermosonification (ultrasound at temperature higher than room temperature) at 55 °C. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of high-power ultrasound combined with a slightly increased temperature on whole, skimmed and skimmed cow’s milk pretreated with bactofugation. Results and conclusions. The best sensory quality was achieved when milk was treated with ultrasound power of 200 W at 20 °C for max. 7.5 min. This research shows the potential of the applications of high-power ultrasound in dairy industry combined with bactofugation as a pre-treatment of milk at a slightly increased temperature (up to 55 °C). Novelty and scientific contribution. The application of these two treatments requires milder processing conditions than pasteurization, it is economical and more environmentally friendly technological process that preserves better nutritional values of milk, which is preferred by consumers.

Research background. The application of high power ultrasound combined with a slightly increased temperature on raw cow’s milk, skimmed cow’s milk and skimmed cow’s milk that passed the bactofugation process was analysed. We combined ultrasound with bactofugation of milk to achieve the microbiological accuracy that is equivalent to pasteurization. Experimental approach. The milk samples (200 mL) were treated for 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 min with high-power ultrasound (200 and 400 W) with a frequency of 24 kHz. The treatments were conducted with a constant duty cycle of 100%. Temperatures during the treatments were 20 and 55 °C. The somatic cell count of the aerobic mesophilic bacteria, as well the number of Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus cells were analysed. Results and conclusions. From the perspective of the reduction of the total count of bacteria, the best result was achieved by high-power ultrasound at 400 W treated for 10 min. High reduction of Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli and S. aureus cells was achieved with ultrasound treatment of raw, skimmed and skimmed cow’s milk that passed the bactofugation with a power of 200 and 400 W regardless of the treatment time. Novelty and scientific contribution. This work combines bactofugation and high-power ultrasound for the inactivation of microoganisms. This combination was used at a slightly increased temperature (up to 55 °C), which is much more economical than pasteurization, while it preserves the sensory and physicochemical properties of milk.

High-intensity ultrasound was used to investigate the inactivation of microorganisms in raw bovine milk. Raw bovine milk with 4% of milk fat was treated with ultrasonic probe that was 12 mm in diameter and with 20 kHz frequency immerged in milk directly. In the ultrasound treatment, three parameters were varied according to the statistical experimental design. The centre composite design was used to design and optimise the experimental parameters: temperature (20, 40, and 60°C), amplitude (120, 90, and 60 µm), and time (6, 9, and 12 min). All analyses were performed immediately after sonication and after 3 days and 5 days of storage under refrigeration at 4°C. The factors that seem to affect substantially the inactivation of microorganisms in using ultrasound are the amplitude of the ultrasonic waves, the exposure/contact time with the microorganisms, and the temperature of the treatment. The results achieved indicate a significant inactivation of microorganisms under longer periods of the treatment with ultrasonic probe, particularly in combination of higher temperature and amplitude. The output optimal value of total bacteria count was defined by Statgraphics where the lowest bacteria count was 3.688 log CFU/ml for the following specific ultrasound parameters: amplitude 120 μm, treatment time 9.84 min, and temperature 45.34°C.

Ultrasonication is a non-thermal method of food preservation that has the advantage of inactivating microbes in food without causing the common side-effects associated with conventional heat treatments, such as nutrient and flavour loss. In this work high intensity ultrasound was used to investigate inactivation Enterobacteriae count in raw milk. Raw milk with 4% of milk fat was treated with ultrasonic probe that was 12 mm in diameter and with 20 kHz frequency immerged in milk directly. For ultrasounds treatment, three parameters varied according to the statistical experimental design. Centre composite design was used to optimize and design experimental parameters: temperature (20, 40 and 60 °C), amplitude (120, 90 and 60 μm) and time (6, 9 and 12 minutes). All analyses were performed immediately after sonication and after 3 and 5 days of storage in refrigeration at 4 °C. The facts that substantially affect the inactivation of microorganisms using ultrasound are the amplitude of the ultrasonic waves, the exposure/contact time with the microorganisms, and the temperatureof treatment. The achieved results indicate significant inactivation of microorganisms under longer period of treatments with ultrasonic probe particularly in combination with higher temperature andamplitude. Output optimal value of Enterobacteriae count has been defined by Statgraphics where lowest Enterobacteriae count (1.06151 log CFU mL-1) was as follows for specific ultrasound parameters: amplitude of 120 μm, treatment time for 12 min and temperature of 60 °C.

The aim of this paper is to examine the influence of high hydrostatic pressure treatment on the rheological and thermophisical properties of β-lactoglobulin and carragenan model systems. Suspensions of β-lactoglobulin were treated with a high hydrostatic pressure in a range of 300 to 600 MPa. Holding period was 5 and 10 minutes.Measurements were performed using rotational viscosimeter Rheometric Scientific RM-180 at 20 oC. The rheological parameters were determined by the Ostwald de Waele law. The results of the investigation have shown that all investigated systems are non-Newtonian – pseudoplastic. All samples treated with high hydrostatic pressure have changed rheological characteristics. The extent of protein denaturation was proportional to the intensity of applied pressure and holding time. The phase transition temperatures were determined by differential thermal analysis (DTA). High pressure treatment caused depression of freezing point and melting point, respectively. Carragenan acts as a crioprotectant.