Demineralized Whey Powder Production via Chromatography and Dialysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current infant formula production faces challenges in utilizing whey due to its high mineral content, protein-degradation products, and insufficient essential amino acids, which do not meet the nutritional requirements of infants and can be harmful due to lactoferrin content.
Innovation Solution
A demineralised whey powder is produced through a process involving separation, microfiltration, column-chromatography to remove lactoferrin, nanofiltration, electrodialysis, and cation exchange to reduce minerals and protein-degradation products, resulting in a higher essential amino acid content and lower sodium levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If whey is used as a raw material for infant formula, then protein content is improved, but mineral content and protein-degradation products increase which are harmful to infants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies extraction principles by removing harmful minerals (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium) and protein-degradation products from the whey through a series of separation processes including microfiltration, ultrafiltration, and ion exchange, thereby extracting only the beneficial protein components while eliminating harmful substances
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses intermediary substances and processes including enzymes (proteases, lipases, amylases), vitamins, and mineral salts as mediators to facilitate the breakdown, transformation, and balanced composition of the whey product, enabling safe utilization for infants while maintaining nutritional value
2Quantity of substance
If whey is used for infant formula production, then protein content is improved, but lactoferrin content remains high which adversely affects intestinal flora
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes lactoferrin from the whey protein mixture through specific separation processes, eliminating this harmful component while preserving the beneficial protein content and essential amino acids needed for infant nutrition
3Ease of manufacture
If standard whey powder is used, then production simplicity is maintained, but essential amino acid content is insufficient and does not meet infant nutritional requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compositional parameters of whey by controlling the ratios of essential amino acids (tryptophan, threonine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, histidine) through selective enrichment processes, transforming the protein composition to match infant nutritional requirements while maintaining production feasibility
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The process yields a whey powder suitable for infant formula with enhanced nutritional profile, reduced adverse effects on intestinal flora, and mineral content up to 90% lower than standard products, mimicking the casein/whey protein ratio of mother's milk.
Implementation Method 1
Subjecting the skimmed milk such obtained to microfiltration or microdiafiltration, obtaining a whey protein-rich permeate P1
Implementation Method 2
Subjecting the permeate P1 to column-chromatography separation, in which the lactoferrin contained therein remains on the column
Implementation Method 3
Subjecting the permeate, from which lactoferrin was such removed, to dialysis
Implementation Method 4
Subjecting the demineralised diluate such obtained to electrodialysis
Implementation Method 5
Subjecting the demineralised diluate such obtained to treatment with a cation exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A demineralised whey powder is suggested which is obtainable by:(a) Separating raw milk, removing the cream;(b) Subjecting the skimmed milk such obtained to microfiltration or microdiafiltration, obtaining a whey protein-rich permeate P1 and a retentate R1 containing casein and GMP in the process;(c) Subjecting the permeate P1 to column chromatography separation, in which the lactoferrin contained therein remains on the column;(d) Subjecting the permeate, from which lactoferrin had been removed, to dialysis; and(e) Dehydrating the diluate such obtained.