Phospholipid Concentrate Production via Ion Exchange and Microfiltration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for concentrating phospholipids from buttermilk face challenges such as insufficient retention rates and the use of undesirable compounds like sodium citrate and ethanol, which are not suitable for nutritional applications, particularly in infant formula.

Innovation Solution

A process involving ion exchange on a cationic resin to deplete calcium from casein micelles, followed by microfiltration with a controlled transmembrane pressure gradient, and optional diafiltration to achieve a phospholipid concentrate while minimizing protein retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If microfiltration is used to concentrate phospholipids from buttermilk, then phospholipid concentration is improved, but protein retention increases and phospholipid retention rate becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephospholipid concentrationVSAvoidphospholipid retention rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing calcium depletion through ion exchange chromatography before microfiltration. This pre-treatment modifies the properties of casein micelles, causing them to dissociate and pass through the microfiltration membrane more effectively, thereby improving phospholipid retention rate while maintaining protein transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the concentration process into two distinct stages: first, calcium depletion via ion exchange column to modify casein micelle structure; second, microfiltration for phospholipid concentration. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently, with the first step preparing the feed for better performance in the second step.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If sodium citrate or ethanol is added to dissociate casein micelles, then micelle dissociation is improved, but undesirable compounds are introduced that are not suitable for nutritional applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecasein micelle dissociationVSAvoidundesirable compounds

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an ion exchange column as an intermediary medium to achieve casein micelle dissociation without adding harmful chemical compounds. The ion exchange resin selectively binds calcium ions, causing casein micelles to dissociate through calcium depletion, thereby achieving the desired structural change while avoiding the introduction of undesirable substances like sodium citrate or ethanol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces chemical methods (adding sodium citrate or ethanol) with a physical/chemical separation method using ion exchange chromatography. Instead of adding dissociating agents, the system uses selective ion exchange to remove calcium, achieving micelle dissociation through a different mechanism that is compatible with nutritional applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Quantity of substance

If high transmembrane pressure is applied during microfiltration, then phospholipid concentration is improved, but protein retention increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephospholipid concentrationVSAvoidprotein retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary calcium depletion through ion exchange chromatography before microfiltration. This pre-treatment modifies casein micelle structure and reduces their interaction with the membrane, allowing the use of higher transmembrane pressures during microfiltration without causing excessive protein retention, since the micelles are already dissociated and less likely to adsorb to the membrane surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 process effectively concentrates phospholipids while reducing protein retention and eliminating undesirable compounds, resulting in a high phospholipid-to-protein ratio suitable for nutritional uses.

Implementation Method 1

passage of the dairy composition through an ion exchange column on cationic resin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 2

concentration of the phospholipids of the dairy composition depleted in calcium by microfiltration with a controlled transmembrane pressure gradient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrofiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3860353B1Method for producing a phospholipid concentrate from a dairy composition

Publication Date: 2023.01.25 EUROSERUM

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5

AI summary

The invention mainly relates to a method for producing a phospholipid concentrate derived from a liquid dairy composition comprising at least caseins and phospholipids, characterized in that it comprises at least the steps of: - passing the dairy composition into an ion-exchange column on a cationic resin, - concentrating the phospholipids of the calcium-depleted dairy composition by means of controlled transmembrane pressure gradient microfiltration, and - recovering the retentate from the microfiltration and obtaining a phospholipid concentrate.