Fluorescence associated with Maillard reaction in milk and milk-resembling systems

The progress of the Maillard reaction in milk and milk-resembling systems during heating was followed by monitoring free fluorescent intermediary compounds. Fluorescence intensity was examined over a wide temperature/time range (90–140 °C/0.5–30 min). Different kinetic behaviours were found in the presence or absence of amino groups in the system. Traces of fluorescence were detected when the lactose system without proteins was heated; the isomerization and degradation reactions of lactose could also generate fluorescent compounds. Fluorescence accumulation in the lactose system (without proteins) proceeded according to first-order reaction kinetics, whereas systems with lactose and casein, lactose and whey protein and milk fitted zero-order reaction kinetics. Apparent activation energies calculated were 61.3, 78.6, 59.6 and 83.9 kJ mol−1 for lactose system, lactose/casein system, lactose/whey protein system and milk, respectively. Moreover, levels of intermediary fluorescent compounds in Spanish commercial milk (pasteurized, UHT-treated and in-bottle sterilized milk) have been studied.