Applications and uses of sodium caseinate

What Is sodium caseinate?

Sodium caseinate is an excellent emulsifier and thickening agent that is commonly used in the food industry to improve the retention of fat in foods and water, prevent syneresis, contribute to the uniform distribution of the various ingredients in the food processing, and improve the texture and taste of food. It is often used in bread, biscuits, candy, cakes, ice cream, yogurt drinks, and margarine, gravy, fast food, meat and seafood products.

Sodium caseinate can be used in food, beverage, pharmaceutical, health & personal care products, agriculture/animal feed/poultry. Sodium caseinate is used as food emulsifier and thickening agent in bread, biscuits, candy, cakes, ice cream, yogurt drinks, and margarine, gravy, fast food, meat and seafood products.

Sodium caseinate is the biochemical name for casein, which is a type of protein found in the milk from all mammals. Casein, which is Latin for “cheese,” is a major component of commercial cheese and its principle source of protein. Some people are allergic to sodium caseinate, and it has been linked to some human diseases, mainly autism and gastrointestinal problems.

Sodium caseinate uses as follows:

In food

Sodium caseinate can be used as nutritional suppliments, thickener, emulsifier and texture stabilizer in food such as in bread, biscuits, candy, cakes, ice cream, yogurt drinks, and margarine, gravy, fast food, meat and seafood products.

In sausage, it can be used to make fat distribution uniform, and enhance the adhesion property of meat. The dosage in sausage is 0.2%-0.3%. In the fish cake, it can improve the elasticity.

In ice cream, the use of sodium caseinate helps to the bubble of products stable and to prevent sugar condensation and contraction. In bread it is used to achieve enhancement.

In bread, biscuit and noodles, the dosage is 0.2%-0.5%; in foreign pastry, donut and chocolate, it is 0.59%-5.0% while in cream milk beverages, it is 0.2%-0.39%. In addition, gellan gum can also be used in dairy products and egg products.

In beverage

Sodium caseinate can be used as nutritional suppliments, thickener, emulsifier and texture stabilizer in beverage.

In pharmaceutical

Sodium caseinate can be used as an intermediate in pharmaceutical.

In health and personal care

Sodium caseinate can be used in cosmetic and personal care products.

Sodium caseinate side effects

Sodium caseinate is made from the cow milk with the appearance of cream white. This product is used as a food additive where it adds nutrition, flavor and specific consistencies. Sodium caseinate is widely used in meat products, coffee whitener, processed cereals, baked goods and processed cheeses. Though it’s considered safe, some are convinced it has potentially dangerous health effects.

Possible Side Effects of Sodium Caseinate

Sodium Caseinate is generally considered a safe ingredient. The side effects may

1. Those who are lactose-intolerant may experience stomach pain and bloating (excess gas and pressure in stomach).

2. Because it is exposed to high heat during processing, the caseinate becomes an ultra thermolyzed protein combined with MSG (a byproduct of protein thermolyzation). Consumption of this protein may lead to headaches, chest pain, nausea, weakness, heart palpitations, etc.

3. Researchers and doctors are of the opinion that casein peptides can seriously affect blood pressure levels during and after surgery.

4. It has been observed that casein products interfere with the adsorption of certain drugs which can eventually result in serious health issues.

5. Some people are allergic to casein and may have a life-threatening reaction.

Special populations precaution

There is a lot of concern about diet and nutrition for these population, like newborns, children, pregnant, sensitive to sodium caseinate populations. Better consult to your doctor if you would like to intake sodium caseinate.