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Milk, milk products and individual milk proteins were subjected to different heat treatments either as powders or in aquous systems. After complete hydrolysis of the peptide bonds (alpha-amide bonds) by a system of four proteinases or peptidases, respectively, the samples were analysed for isopeptides. For this purpose, two chromatographic ion exchange systems were developed, each of which separates Nepsilon-(beta-aspartyl-)lysine (Asp Lys) as well as Nepsilon-(gamma-glutamyl-)lysine (Glu Lys) from the common amino acids. In samples, heated 24 h for at least 120 degrees C, 2-5% of the lysine residues are incorporated in Glu Lys-bonds. Under the heating conditions used in dairy practice, no isopeptide bonds were formed.

Solutions of beta-lactoglobulin A were heated at 97.5 degrees C at pH 6.9 and 9.8 80 min. The formation of dehydroalanine, lanthionine and lysinoalanine as well as changes in the levels of cysteine, cystine and the basic amino acids were recorded. Lanthionine (equal amounts of the 1- and the mesoform) was formed only in small amounts, while the lysinoalanine levels were rather high. Beside this, lysine was converted to unknown compounds. The main sources for the formation of dehydroalanine are the cystine moieties of the protein. Cysteine residues are first oxidized to cystine before beta-elimination occurs.