Regenerated Milk Protein Extraction from Spoiled Dairy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to effectively extract and purify milk protein from expired or spoiled milk due to bacterial decomposition and metabolites, which complicates the extraction process and reduces the molecular weight of proteins, making it difficult to recover usable milk protein.
Innovation Solution
A method involving pretreatment with an acid solution for hydrolysis, followed by filtration to remove bacteria and impurities, then using sodium hydroxide and activators for protein activation and self-assembly, followed by degreasing and drying to obtain regenerated milk protein, specifically using acid hydrolysis with hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, and urea, and degreasing with sodium lauryl sulfate, and finally freeze-drying the skim milk protein.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional milk protein extraction methods are used on expired or spoiled milk, then the extraction process becomes simpler, but the protein purification fails due to bacterial decomposition and metabolites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing acid hydrolysis treatment before the extraction process to break down bacterial metabolites and decomposed proteins into smaller molecules. This pre-treatment step prepares the complex waste milk matrix, making subsequent protein extraction and purification feasible and effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing specific reagents (acid solutions for hydrolysis, base solutions for pH adjustment, and activators) that mediate between the complex waste milk composition and the target milk protein. These intermediaries facilitate the transformation and separation process, enabling successful protein recovery despite the presence of bacterial decomposition products.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bacterial growth and microbial decomposition occur in expired milk, then the milk can be utilized for protein extraction, but the molecular weight of milk protein decreases making extraction difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically adjusting pH levels (using base solutions to neutralize acid hydrolysis and reach optimal protein extraction pH), temperature, and reagent concentrations. These parameter modifications create favorable conditions for protein stabilization and extraction despite the decreased molecular weight caused by bacterial decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effects of bacterial decomposition into beneficial outcomes by using the decomposition process to break down complex proteins into smaller, more extractable units. The acid hydrolysis treatment leverages the decomposed state of proteins in waste milk to facilitate their subsequent recovery and purification.
3Reliability
If acid hydrolysis treatment is applied to expired milk, then protein extraction becomes possible, but additional treatment steps are required for purification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the extraction process into distinct functional steps: (1) acid hydrolysis treatment to break down proteins, (2) filtration to remove bacteria and impurities, (3) base solution treatment for pH adjustment and protein stabilization, (4) activator addition for protein activation, and (5) centrifugation for final separation. Each segment performs a specific function, making the overall complex process manageable and systematic.
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
This method successfully recovers milk protein from expired or spoiled milk through protein activation and self-assembly complex salting-out, achieving high efficiency, operability, and pollution-free recycling of dairy waste, addressing the challenges of extraction and purification.
Implementation Method 1
Mix and stir expired or spoiled milk with acid solution, sterilize, deodorize and dissociate protein after acid hydrolysis treatment
Implementation Method 2
add sodium hydroxide solution to pH 7-9, and then add an activator for protein activation. Then, the dilute acid solution is added dropwise to make the dissociated protein self-assemble and salt out
Implementation Method 3
add an activator for protein activation. Then, the dilute acid solution is added dropwise to make the dissociated protein self-assemble
Implementation Method 4
The regenerated milk protein is defatted with a degreasing agent, and then washed and filtered to obtain skim milk protein
Implementation Method 5
dry the skim milk protein to complete the extraction
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for extracting protein from expired or spoiled milk is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes the steps of acid hydrolysis, first filtration, fine filtration, activation, salting out, degreasing, drying and packaging. Through the combined process of “protein activation” and “self-assembly salting out,” these methods enable the reuse and upcycling of expired and spoiled milk.