Diafiltration based cow’s milk partial demineralization by membrane filtration process – parameter and technology estimations

Abstract

Milk and dairy products contain a number of biological materials that are essential for the human body, for example proteins, lipids, vitamins and minerals. In this study the application of membrane filtration based milk partial demineralization is detailed. The main point of the partial demineralization is to reduce the monovalent ions (Na+, K+) but to keep the divalent ions (Ca2+, Mg2+) content. The experiments were carried out using laboratory ultra- and nanofiltration units. Comparing the separation behavior of the membranes it was found that the investigated membranes are suitable for the partial demineralization. The result of the Lowry test showed that the protein concentration is higher in the retentates of all membrane filtrations than in the permeates.