Animal Skim Milk Humanization via Controlled Microfiltration and Ultrafiltration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current processes for humanizing animal skim milk to resemble human milk composition for infant formula production require extensive and costly demineralization steps, such as ion exchange and electrodialysis, and involve multiple filtration steps, which are inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A process involving minimal processing steps that fractionate animal skim milk using microfiltration and ultrafiltration to achieve the desired casein/whey protein ratio and mineral content, eliminating the need for expensive demineralization steps by carefully controlling the microfiltration and ultrafiltration steps to produce a composition suitable for infant formula without extensive supplementation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If extensive demineralization steps (ion exchange, electrodialysis) are used to remove minerals from animal skim milk, then the mineral content is reduced to suitable levels for infant formula, but the process becomes costly and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operational parameters of microfiltration and ultrafiltration processes, specifically using controlled volume concentration factors (20-100 in UF step) and specific pore size membranes (0.1-0.2 micrometer for MF), to achieve mineral removal without requiring additional demineralization equipment. This resolves the contradiction by achieving the desired mineral reduction through optimized filtration parameters rather than through complex demineralization processes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the microfiltration and ultrafiltration steps perform multiple functions simultaneously: they separate casein from whey proteins to achieve the desired 40/60 casein/whey ratio, concentrate the protein components, and remove excess minerals to achieve suitable ash content for infant formula. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate demineralization equipment and steps, resolving the contradiction between mineral removal effectiveness and process complexity
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple filtration steps and demineralization processes are employed to humanize animal milk, then the composition more closely resembles human milk, but the processing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the casein/whey separation function with the mineral removal function into a single integrated microfiltration-ultrafiltration process sequence. By combining these functions that were traditionally performed by separate process steps, the invention achieves the desired composition accuracy (40/60 casein/whey ratio with suitable mineral content) while significantly reducing processing time and eliminating intermediate steps
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary concentration of the milk during the microfiltration and ultrafiltration steps itself, rather than requiring subsequent concentration steps after demineralization. By establishing the correct volume concentration factors during the filtration process, the invention achieves both composition accuracy and efficient water removal in a unified process, reducing overall processing time
3Quantity of substance
If high volume concentration factors (20-100) are used in ultrafiltration to remove minerals, then the mineral content is sufficiently reduced, but the process becomes less efficient and more costly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the mineral removal task across two distinct filtration stages: microfiltration (MF) with pore size 0.1-0.2 micrometer that removes larger particles and performs initial concentration, followed by ultrafiltration (UF) that performs the primary mineral removal. This segmentation allows each stage to operate at optimized, moderate concentration factors rather than requiring a single ultrafiltration step at excessively high concentration factors, thereby maintaining productivity while achieving the desired mineral reduction
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 efficiently modifies the casein/whey protein ratio and mineral content of animal skim milk to match human milk, reducing the need for costly supplementation and demineralization, resulting in a cost-effective and efficient production of infant formula with minimal processing steps.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting skim milk to microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF)
Implementation Method 2
subjecting skim milk to microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a process for the treatment of animal skim milk and for the production of an infant formula base product from animal skim milk, which process is highly efficient and cost effective, as only membrane filtration techniques, such as microfiltration and ultrafiltration, are required. By carefully controlling the process parameters, a product is obtained in which most of the major components are within the desired range for an infant formula base product. The invention also relates to products obtainable by the process according to the invention.