Effect of Temperature, pH and Amount of Enzyme Used in the Lactose Hydrolysis of Milk

Abstract

Lactose intolerance is becoming a health state that requires the restriction of dairy products in the diet of people suffering from this condition. But milk and dairy products, due to a well-balanced composition in the main macro and micronutrients, cannot be missing from the diet of the consumer of any age. For these reasons, in recent years, in the milk processing industry, the production of low-lactose or lactose-free dairy products is explored. To reduce the lactose content of dairy raw materials, various industrial and biotechnological methods were used: enzymatic hydrolysis of lactose, baromembranous methods, bioconversion of lactose by lactic bacteria and others. The most widely used lactase enzymes in the industry are mesophilic enzymes from filamentous fungi (Aspergillus spp.) and yeasts (Kluyveromyces spp.). Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the commercial enzyme β-galactosidase on the hydrolysis of cow’s milk at different enzyme concentrations, temperatures and pH. Two commercial enzymes β-galactosidase obtained from Bacillus licheniformis and β-galactosidase obtained from Kluyveromyces lactis, were used in this study, according to information provided by the manufacturer. The thermal stability of lactose, the effect of milk pH, the effect of temperature, duration of hydrolysis and the amount of enzymes on the lactose hydrolysis degree and the sweetness degree of milk were determined. Research has identified the optimal parameters for obtaining a high degree of lactose hydrolysis in the use of these enzymes. Therefore, to ensure a high lactose hydrolysis degree (over 80%), the following lactose hydrolysis regimens were identified: temperature 4&degC - 6&degC, 0.3% Bacillus licheniformis enzymes, duration 4 hours; temperature 4&degC - 6&degC, 0.3% enzymes from Klavyromyces lactis, duration 12 hours and temperature 38&degC - 40&degC, 0.15% enzymes from (Bacillus licheniformis or Klavyromyces lactis), duration 2 - 3 hours. The results obtained allow the efficient use of Bacillus licheniformis and Klavyromyces lactis enzymes in industrial processes for the manufacture of “lactose-free” or “low-lactose” drinking milk and fermented dairy products for people with lactose intolerance.