Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Concentration of Virus Particles from Environmental Water and Wastewater Samples Using Skimmed Milk Flocculation and Ultrafiltration
Published on: March 17, 2023
Dephosphorylation of caseins in milk protein concentrate alters their interactions with sodium hexametaphosphate
Orla M Power1, Mark A Fenelon2, James A O'Mahony3
1Food Chemistry and Technology Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland; School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
Abstract:
This study investigated the effects of dephosphorylation and sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) salt addition on the viscosity of milk protein concentrate (MPC) solutions. Dephosphorylation (DP) of casein was performed using bovine alkaline phosphatase. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra showed that dephosphorylation depleted the casein-bound phosphate region (CNP). SHMP addition (5 mM) had no impact on the 31P NMR spectra of DP-MPC; addition of 5 mM SHMP to control MPC (C-MPC) resulted in a shift in peaks associated with the CNP region, possibly caused by SHMP sequestering calcium, leading to swelling of micelles. DP-MPC exhibited a lower viscosity compared to C-MPC, with SHMP addition at 12.5 and 25 mM causing gelation of C-MPC and DP-MPC solutions. This work confirmed the role that phosphate residues have in maintaining micelle structural stability and provides new insights into controlling viscosity of MPC solutions.
Related Concept Videos
Protein Kinases and Phosphatases
Protein kinases
Many proteins in the cell are regulated by phosphorylation, the addition of a phosphate group. A family of enzymes called kinases...
Alterations in Respiration II
In Biot's breathing, the respiratory rate and depth are irregular, alternating between periods of deep gasping and apnea. Common causes...
Altered States of Awareness
The ingestion of substances like stimulants or hallucinogens leads to chemical alterations in the brain...
Concentration Cells
Consider the following voltaic cell:
Regulation of Sodium and Potassium
Sodium Regulation
Sodium ions make up approximately 90% of extracellular cations, with a normal blood plasma concentration of 136–148 mEq/L. A decrease in blood volume and pressure triggers the release of renin from granular cells in the juxtaglomerular complex (JGC), primarily...
Alterations in Blood Pressure
Hypertension (High blood pressure)
Hypertension occurs when blood pressure readings consistently exceed the normal range. It is diagnosed when systolic blood pressure (the top number, indicating pressure while the heart...

