What is sodium caseinate and what are its properties?
Sodium caseinate is a casein product that is produced from fresh acid casein to create a more functional casein ingredient suitable for a wide range of applications. Sodium caseinate exists as a white to off-white powder. The general composition of sodium caseinate is 86% protein, 1% lactose, 4% ash, 2% fat, and 7% moisture, all of which vary slightly by manufacturer. Sodium caseinate is the most water-soluble form of casein differing from acid casein and rennet casein which are not soluble in water.
Why is sodium caseinate a useful ingredient in application?
Sodium caseinate offers many functional benefits to a variety of applications. Sodium caseinate is water soluble, a good emulsifier, has an ability to create and hold foam, absorbs fat, and can improve the nutritional aspects of food primarily through increasing the protein content in the finished product.
Sodium caseinate is the most soluble of the caseinates and provides stability in foams. Sodium caseinate absorbs and emulsifies fats in applications which ensures a homogeneous product. Sodium caseinate overall has a very bland flavor profile. Sodium caseinate has been noted to be slightly sweet, and overall neutral. The mouthfeel of Sodium caseinate is thick and foamy.
Sodium caseinate is used for coffee creamers, meat additives, processed cheeses, whipped toppings, ice cream, chocolate, baked goods, and dietary supplements.
Benefits of application in cream and whipped toppings
Sodium caseinate is beneficial when creating foam and stabilizing foam such as in a coffee creamer or whipped topping. Sodium caseinate is water soluble, a good emulsifier, has an ability to create and hold foam, and absorbs fat. Sodium caseinate can improve texture in beverages by increasing viscosity to give a preferable mouthfeel during consumption. Sodium caseinate also has a neutral flavor profile which supports the flavor profile of the finished good product. Additionally, Sodium caseinate supports protein fortification to hit nutritional targets.
Benefits of application in prepared foods (sauces, soups, gravies, meat additives, ice cream)
Sodium caseinate is heat stable making the protein a suitable addition for many applications that require heat treatment during processing. Sodium caseinate can improve texture and viscosity resulting in a preferable mouthfeel during consumption. Sodium caseinate can also support your nutritional goals for your finished good product, high in protein, low fat, lactose, and sodium.
Benefits of application in baked goods and protein fortification
Sodium caseinate is heat stable making the protein suitable for formulas in a wide range of applications that require heat treatment during processing. Sodium caseinate is beneficial as an addition to food products to increase nutritional fortification. Sodium caseinate can improve the nutritional aspects of food primarily through increasing the protein content in the finished product. Sodium caseinate can improve texture resulting in a preferable mouthfeel during consumption.