Four formulations of whey-protein-isolate (WPI) coatings were used to coat chocolate-covered almonds. Two formulations were without lipid and two were with lipid. The 2 WPI formulations without lipid varied in native-as compared with the heat-denatured WPI amount. The 2 WPI formulations with lipid varied in the lipid amount. The shellac formulation consisted of 30% solids, of which 90% was shellac and 10% was propylene glycol. A central location consumer test was carried out for attributes such as overall degree of liking. The results strongly indicate that water-based WPI-lipid coatings can be used as an alternative glaze, with higher consumer acceptance than alcohol-based shellac.

Four different whey-protein-isolate (WPI)/plasticizer formulations were compared to determine which provided the most gloss and which was most stable with time when applied on chocolates. The 4 plasticizers studied were glycerol, polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400), propylene glycol (PG), and sucrose, all in a 1:1 ratio with WPI. Gloss stability was determined by measuring gloss fade over time using the Tricor Gloss Analysis System. WPI/sucrose coatings provided the highest and most stable gloss. With optimization, water-based WPI/sucrose coatings could be an alternative source of glaze to alcohol-based shellac coatings in the confectionery industry.