Gentle milk fat separation using silicon carbide ceramic membranes. (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dons, Tobias; Candelario, Victor; Andersen, Ulf; Ahrné, Lilia M.
• Is Part Of: Innovative food science & emerging technologies. Volume 84(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: Microfiltration -- Raw milk separation -- Membrane autopsy -- Fouling -- Milk fat globule; Al2O3 Alumina -- CFP Capillary flow porometry -- CIP Cleaning-In-Place -- MFG Milk fat globule -- MFGM Milk fat globule membrane -- PES/PVP Polyethersulfone/Polyvinylpyrrolidone -- SEM-EDX Scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive x-ray -- SFC Solid fat content -- SiC Silicon carbide -- TiO2 Titania -- VCR Volume concentration ratio -- ZrO2 Zirconia; Food -- Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Food industry and trade -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Aliments -- Biotechnologie -- Périodiques; Food -- Biotechnology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 664.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ifset.2023.103299
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1466-8564

Abstract

Abstract: Due to their high hydrophilicity, ceramic silicon carbide (SiC) membranes are suitable for fat separation from raw milk, as alternative to centrifugation. The filtration performance during separation of fat globules (MFGs) from raw milk showed 95% fat separation at 15 °C, 93% at 25 °C, 88% at 35 °C and 91% at 50 °C, while permeating skimmed milk with a fat concentration ranging from 0.11 ± 0.03 to 0.34 ± 0.23% ( w /w). The filtration time ranged from 12 to 106 min, respectively for 50 and 15 °C. Fouling of the membranes was investigated using scanning electron microscopy and elemental composition by energy dispersive X-ray. The SiC membranes showed a defect-free morphology, excellent water permeability and no irreversible fouling after the filtration process. Separation at 50 °C showed a higher distribution of larger MFGs in the permeate due to increased flexibility of the MFGs. Industrial relevance: Microfiltration has previously been proposed to be a gentler separation method compared to traditional centrifugation. In this study, for the first time was demonstrated that highly hydrophilic ceramic silicon carbide (SiC) membranes are an efficient process for separation of fat from raw milk. The effect of filtration temperature on filtration performance and properties of the resulting streams provided new insights for industrial application of this process. Highlights: SiC membranes showed an excellent fat retention and permeation of serum. Filtration temperature influenced the separation and integrity of milk fat globules. Higher temperature reduced filtration time and increased fat concentration in retentate. No irreversible fouling was observed after filtration and cleaning processes.