Hilmar’s new whey protein isolate boosts nutrition bar protein content while maintaining desirable texture

Dairy ingredients supplier Hilmar (Hilmar, CA) has introduced a new ingredient designed to boost protein content in nutrition bars while ensuring bars maintain a desirable texture. The PROtelyze Extend hydrolyzed whey protein isolate helps nutrition bar manufacturers avoid bar hardening.

“The challenge with all protein bars is that they harden on the shelf,” explained Qiqi Peng, applications manager, Hilmar, in a press release. “This is because proteins pick up moisture over time.”

The company notes that even among whey proteins, there can be differences in how proteins perform in bars. “Mainstream whey protein concentrates and isolates often produce chewier textures, while milk protein concentrates and isolates tend to develop shorter textures,” its press release notes. “This is one of the reasons why bar innovators use a combination of dairy proteins to achieve the desired texture and mouthfeel.”

Hilmar PROtelyze Extend can also be used in combination with a less-expensive whey protein isolate ingredient, the company says.