Lactase-treated dairy permeate for sugar reduction in baked goods
Utah State University introduces a dairy permeate-based ingredient for sugar reduction in baked goods and confectionery. By using lactase-treated permeate, this solution enhances sweetness and Maillard reactivity while maintaining texture and sensory quality.
Overview
Utah State University presents a novel dairy permeate-based ingredient platform designed for sugar reduction in baked goods and confectionery. This innovation leverages native or lactase-treated permeate to replace sucrose while maintaining essential properties such as sweetness, bulk, moisture retention, and browning capacity. Unlike high-intensity sweeteners, this approach targets the multifunctional role of sugar, ensuring that texture, structure, and sensory attributes remain intact. This naturally derived, dairy-based ingredient aligns with clean-label trends and sustainable practices, offering a practical solution for food manufacturers seeking to reduce sugar content without sacrificing quality.
Technical specifications
- Lactase treatment: This process converts lactose into glucose and galactose, enhancing sweetness and Maillard reactivity.
- Functional roles: Provides bulk, moisture retention, and enhances browning, mimicking the functional roles of sucrose.
- Integration: Easily integrates into existing formulations with minimal process modifications required.
- Clean-label advantage: Utilizes a naturally derived ingredient, supporting consumer demand for clean-label products.
Technology readiness level
The development of this technology is currently at TRL 4, indicating that it has been validated in the lab and is ready for further development and validation through collaboration. The phased plan includes ingredient characterization, formulation testing, and optimization, with opportunities for product trials and sensory evaluations in partnership with industry collaborators.
About Utah State University
Utah State University is a comprehensive public land‑grant research university (Carnegie R1) serving Utah through a flagship Logan campus and a statewide network. Industry connects through the Innovation Campus research park, where companies co‑locate with faculty and access shared facilities. USU’s Space Dynamics Laboratory, a US Space Force–sponsored University Affiliated Research Center, offers mission‑driven pathways for space and defense collaboration. Statewide Extension offices and field sites enable pilot deployments and real‑world validation across Utah’s diverse settings. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NSF, USDA, NASA, and DoD, with Technology Transfer Services managing IP, licensing, and SBIR/STTR support.
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