Ultrafiltration whey protein preparation with

Whey protein concentrate. The whey protein used was prepared by ultrafiltration and spray drying. Protein content (N x 6.55) was 68% (dry weight). Lipid content was 7.1% (dry weight). In order to study heat induced aggregation by spectrophotometric methods the turbidity of the dilute protein dispersions was too high. The turbidity of whey protein dispersions is caused by lipids associated with proteins probably in the form of emulsified oil droplets. This fraction was removed by precipitation at pH 4.5 from dispersions made in dist. water and separated by centrifugation at 40 000 xg. 

A membrane cell recycle reactor with continuous ethanol extraction by dibutyl phthalate increased the productivity fourfold with increased conversion of glucose from 45 to 91%.249 The ethanol was then removed from the dibutyl phthalate with water. It would be better to do this second step with a membrane. In another process, microencapsulated yeast converted glucose to ethanol, which was removed by an oleic acid phase containing a lipase that formed ethyl oleate.250 This could be used as biodiesel fuel. Continuous ultrafiltration has been used to separate the propionic acid produced from glycerol by a Propionibacterium.251 Whey proteins have been hydrolyzed enzymatically and continuously in an ultrafiltration reactor, with improved yields, productivity, and elimination of peptide coproducts.252 Continuous hydrolysis of a starch slurry has been carried out with a-amylase immobilized in a hollow fiber reactor.253 Oils have been hydrolyzed by a lipase immobilized on an aromatic polyamide ultrafiltration membrane with continuous separation of one product through the membrane to shift the equilibrium toward the desired products.254 Such a process could supplant the current energy-intensive industrial one that takes 3-24 h at 150-260X. Lipases have also been used to prepare esters. A lipase-surfactant complex in hexane was used to prepare a wax ester found in whale oil, by the esterification of 1 hexadecanol with palmitic acid in a membrane reactor.255 After 1 h, the yield was 96%. The current industrial process runs at 250°C for up to 20 h. 

Membrane processing. The use of ultrafiltration (UF) for the production of whey protein concentrates (WPCs) is now well established (p. 223). Obviously, UF or diafiltration (DF) can be used to prepare products enriched in total milk protein. Products with protein concentrations up to 85% have been produced and assessed for a range of functionalities and applications (Fox and Mulvihill, 1992). 

In the manufacture of fresh cheeses, e. g. quark, the pasteurised skim milk is inoculated with micro-organisms (Sc. lactis, Sc. cremoris). To accelerate the thickening, the enzym chymosin is added. After ripening - with a pH value of about 4.6 - the coagulated milk must be pumped through a separator, possibly including an ultrafiltration system, in order to separate the sour whey. The ultrafiltration would separate the whey into 2 phases the permeate (water soluble) and the retentate (protein phase). Finally the quark, retentate, cream, (fruit) preparations, flavourings or spices and herbs are added. 

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