Batch Hydrolysis of Lactose in Concentrated Whey Systems

Abstract

ABSTRACTCommercial preparations of acid and neutral β‐galactosidases were assayed for their ability to hydrolyze lactose in wheys with varying total solids content. In wheys with 7.3 to 24.7% TS, at pH 4.5 and 55°C the lactose conversion obtained in 300 min with the acid lactase ranged from 92 to 75%. Similarly, the neutral lactase hydrolyzed between 92 and 79% of lactase in wheys adjusted to pH 6.5 and 35°C; however, the reaction appeared to reach its maximum after 90 min in contrast to the acid lactase.