Suitability of nitrogen fractions determination to assess serum protein separation efficiency from a mass balance perspective during microfiltration of skim milk. (May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Subhir, Surabhi; McSweeney, Paul L.H.; Fenelon, Mark A.; Magan, Jonathan B.; Tobin, John T.
• Is Part Of: International dairy journal. Volume 128(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05
• Subjects: Dairying -- Periodicals; Industrie laitière -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 338.1762142
• DOI: 10.1016/j.idairyj.2022.105319
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-6946

Abstract

Abstract: Efficient separation of serum from colloidal proteins in bovine milk in their native form can be achieved by microfiltration (MF). This study assessed partitioning of serum proteins (SP) in skim milk by a MF process using 0.1 μm graded permeability ceramic membranes with two diafiltration (DF) steps, from a mass balance and energy utilisation perspective. A mass balance focused on dry matter and true protein yielded recoveries of 99.5 and 95.3%, respectively. However, an accurate mass balance relative to colloidal and SP contents in the retentate and permeate streams was not achieved, linked to errors surrounding quantification of nitrogen fractions in processed streams using standard methodologies designed for raw milk. Additionally the energy required for each MF/DF step was 13.1, 13.7 and 20.6 kW h kg −1 of SP removed, respectively, demonstrating the dynamic relationship between SP partition relative to diafiltrant utilisation and its impact on energy consumption.