Abstract
Cheese whey is an environmental problem as an effluent, but also a source of valuable raw materials, namely proteins and lactose. In this work, Aqueous Two-Phase Systems (ATPS) were studied for the recovery of lactose, BSA, β-lactoglobulin and α-lactalbumin, key components of cheese whey. ATPS formed by PEG (molecular weights: 200–8000 g.mol−1) with sodium or ammonium sulfate were investigated. Partitioning of the selected solutes was experimentally addressed in different ATPS and pH values. Partition behavior showed that ATPS formed by PEG1500/ammonium sulfate is able to separate lactose from proteins, while PEG300/sodium sulfate ATPS may be used for protein fractionation. These separation strategies were then tested with simulated and real cheese whey. Under optimized conditions, PEG 1500/ammonium sulfate ATPS allows efficient recovery of > 95% proteins (precipitate) and 80% of lactose (bottom phase), as confirmed for both simulated and real cheese whey. The results found indicate that the proposed polymer/salt ATPS can be used to design scalable and cost-effective separation strategies to apply in cheese whey and other related wastes.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
