By the application of different water-soluble organic compounds and some protein-denaturing reagents dissolved therein, several stages in the dispersion of milk powder particles can be distinguished. The particles first swell, and agglomeration or coalescence follows. However, no dispersion necessarily takes place at this stage, as indicated by the absence of casein micelles in the surrounding liquid. In the initial stage of self-dispersion, ‘dispersion streams’ emanating from the powder particles may be observed. In certain cases, particularly with spray dried skim-milk, thin membranes may be perceived around the swollen and dispersing powder particles. The dispersibility is dependent upon the fat content of the powder and the method of manufacture.

With propylene glycol and butylene glycol no dispersion of powder particles took place. However, the hydrogen-bond breaking reagents, urea, guanidine hydrochloride and sodium salicylate, as well as an anionic detergent, sodium dodecyl sulphate dissolved in propylene glycol, caused dispersion of powder particles, particularly in spray dried powders. The limited dispersibility of roller dried powders in water could be greatly enhanced by the same reagents.

With water-insoluble liquids enough moisture penetrated through the medium to cause the crystallization of lactose in powder particles.