β-Lg fraction (r-βLg) was recovered from whey hydrolysates obtained with cardosins.
Structural and rheological properties of r-βLg were studied at different pH values.
Changes in the 3D-structure of r-βLg were confirmed by different techniques.
At acidic pH, r-βLg formed an improved microstructure with high flexibility.
r-βLg gels may be useful as encapsulation matrix for bioactive peptides.