PFG-NMR spectroscopy was used to study the diffusion of molecular probes (poly(ethylene glycol)s) in casein suspensions and gels in terms of the effects of probe molecular size (molecular mass between 1080 and 634 000 g/mol), casein concentrations (from 3.24 to 16.22 g/100 g), and effects of rennet coagulation. A strong dependency of diffusion on probe size was observed, both in casein suspensions and in gels: as the PEG size increased, the diffusion was reduced. This effect was more pronounced for higher casein concentrations. Changes in casein structure after addition of rennet increased the diffusion coefficient for 82 250 and 634 000 g/mol PEG. The PEG self-diffusion coefficients in casein gels were compared to the casein gel structures characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Assuming high internal micelle porosity, a diffusion model with two diffusion pathways, one outside and one inside the micelles, was used to explain the PEG diffusion in casein solutions and gels. The results were discussed in the context of variations in casein micelle voluminosity after renneting.

The changes in water proton transverse relaxation behavior induced by aggregation of whey proteins are explained in terms of the simple molecular processes of diffusion and chemical exchange. The water self-diffusion coefficient was measured in whey protein solutions and gels by the pulsed field gradient NMR method. As expected, water self-diffusion was reduced with increased protein concentrations. Whatever the concentration, the water molecules were free to diffuse over distances varying from 15 to 47 mum. Water diffusion was constant over these distances, demonstrating that no restrictions were found to explain the water hindrance. The modification in protein structure by gelation induced a decrease in water diffusion. The effects of protein concentration on water diffusion are discussed and modeled. Two approaches were compared, the obstruction effect induced by a spherical particle and the cell model, which considered two water compartments with specific self-diffusion coefficients.

PEG self-diffusion coefficients of poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs) (1080, 8500, and 82 250 g/mol) were measured by PFG-NMR spectroscopy in whey protein solutions and gels in relation to whey protein concentration effects (from 6.49 to 40.45 g/100 g) and whey protein heat denaturation effects (30 min at 70 °C). A strong dependency of diffusion on probe size was observed in both whey protein solutions and gels:  as PEG size increased, diffusion was reduced. This effect was more pronounced for higher protein concentrations. Changes in whey structure after thermal aggregation increased the diffusion coefficient for all PEGs, particularly for the 8500 g/mol PEG. The PEG self-diffusion coefficients in whey protein gels were compared to the gel structures characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The results are discussed in relation to a reptation model and compared to PEG diffusion in casein micelle suspensions and gels.

Pulsed field gradient NMR spectroscopy was used to determine the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) self-diffusion coefficient (D(PEG)) as a function of NaCl concentration (C(NaCl)) and denaturation time (t(D)) in whey protein solutions and gels. D(PEG) in the gel decreased with increasing C(NaCl) concentrations and increased with increasing t(D); the increase ceased for all PEGs when the gel was fixed. This increase was more pronounced for the 82250 g/mol PEG than the 1080 g/mol PEG. Moreover, the diffusion coefficient of nonaggregated whey protein was measured and an increase for longer t(D) was also observed. Scanning electron microscopy images and (1)H spectra demonstrated that D(PEG) were related to the structure changes and to the percentage of beta-lactoglobulin denaturation.

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