Quick Dips

Putting the Energy into Sports Drinks

The work of Massey University scientists has been a key element in the development of high-energy sports drinks.

Associate Professor John Ayers and Dave Elgar from the Department of Production Technology worked in collaboration with scientists from the New Zealand Dairy Research Institute for many years before finally producing Alacen 895 -- a whey protein which dissolves clear rather than clouding drinks. The whey protein is also used in other food products.

Ayers says the trick for scientists was to separate the protein from whey in a pure form so it could be used without causing the liquid to cloud.

"The proteins in whey have been used in food since the 1950s but the Alacen 895 is the first New Zealand whey protein product pure enough to dissolve clearly in beverages such as sports drinks. There was also the challenge of being able to recover a few kilograms of product for each tonne of whey in a cost effective manner."

Whey Products (New Zealand) Ltd started commercial production of Alacen 895 at Kiwi Dairies Hawera-based plant in September last year and demand for the protein is exceeding production.

The product was recognised at the Carter Holt Harvey Food Awards late last year, winning the ANZ award in the industrial products category, and also gained the Tradenz award for the most systematic team approach employed to develop, manufacture and launch a product in an export market.