Del subproducto al caramelo
el potencial del suero lácteo en productos de confitería
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29105/bys9.18-274Palabras clave:
Confitería funcional, innovación alimentaria sostenible, péptidos bioactivos, prebióticos, subproductos lácteos, valorización del suero lácteoResumen
El suero lácteo es un subproducto que se genera en grandes volúmenes durante la elaboración de quesos y otros productos lácteos. A pesar de su alto valor nutricional, con frecuencia es desechado, lo que representa un problema ambiental y económico, especialmente para pequeñas y medianas industrias. Este artículo examina su aprovechamiento en productos de confitería como caramelos, gomitas y malvaviscos, a partir de una revisión documental enfocada en sus propiedades tecnológicas, sensoriales y nutricionales. Diversos estudios han reportado que el suero, transformado en hidrolizados proteicos, galacto-oligosacáridos o concentrados proteicos, puede mejorar la textura de los productos, actuar como emulsionante y aportar péptidos bioactivos con funciones antioxidantes, inmunomoduladoras o prebióticas. Sin embargo, también se identificaron desafíos, como la presencia de un sabor residual, cambios en el color o dificultades en la manipulación durante el proceso de formulación. Estos aspectos se han abordado mediante estrategias como la selección del tipo de suero, el grado de hidrólisis y la incorporación de edulcorantes y colorantes naturales. El creciente interés del consumidor por alimentos con beneficios para la salud, sin sacrificar el sabor ni la apariencia, ha favorecido el desarrollo de confitería funcional basada en ingredientes alternativos. La literatura revisada muestra que la valorización del suero lácteo representa una oportunidad real para transformar un residuo agroindustrial en un ingrediente funcional con aplicaciones innovadoras, sostenibles y comercialmente viables.
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