Small Ruminant Whey Demineralization Without Anionic Resins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Demineralization processes for small ruminant whey face challenges such as excessive protein loss, clogging of resins, high cost, and limited availability of serum proteins, along with seasonal variability in protein content, making it difficult to achieve high protein yield and 90% demineralization without using anion resins.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the passage of dairy protein composition over weak cationic resins followed by electrodialysis, without using anionic resins, which includes regeneration of cationic resins with hydronium and sodium/potassium solutions, and optional steps like centrifugal bacterial purification and mixing with permeate to stabilize protein content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If anionic resins are used for demineralization, then demineralization efficiency is improved, but protein loss increases and resin fouling occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the problematic anionic resin step from the demineralization process, replacing it with alternative methods (electrodialysis, cation exchange, precipitation) that achieve demineralization without causing protein loss and resin fouling
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediary substances and processes such as cation exchange resins, electrodialysis membranes, and precipitation agents that mediate the demineralization process to achieve mineral removal without the harmful effects of anionic resins
2Loss of substance
If electrodialysis alone is used for demineralization, then protein yield is maintained, but demineralization rate is insufficient to reach 90%
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges electrodialysis with other demineralization methods (cation exchange, precipitation, ultrafiltration) to create a hybrid process that combines the protein-preserving advantage of electrodialysis with the high demineralization efficiency of complementary techniques, achieving both >90% demineralization and high protein yield
3Quantity of substance
If small ruminant whey is used, then protein content is increased, but seasonal variability in protein content increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements feedback control mechanisms where the protein content of the whey is continuously monitored and the demineralization process parameters are adjusted accordingly to compensate for seasonal variations, ensuring consistent product quality despite fluctuations in raw material composition
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 achieves a protein yield of over 75% and demineralization rate of over 85%, reducing versatile ion content and ash content to less than 1.5% in the final product, while stabilizing protein content across seasonal variations.
Implementation Method 1
passing the milk protein composition through weak cationic resins
Implementation Method 2
electrodialysis of the composition from the previous step
Implementation Method 3
electrodialysis
Implementation Method 4
the dairy protein composition undergoes a centrifugal bacterial purification step
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates primarily to a process for demineralizing a milk protein composition comprising more than 50% by volume of small ruminant whey, which process comprises at least the steps of: - preparing or supplying the milk protein composition, - passing the milk protein composition through a weakly cationic resin, and - electrodialyzing the composition from the preceding step, said process being devoid of any step involving passing the mixture through an anionic resin. Advantageously, the cationic resin is regenerated, in order, with a solution comprising hydronium ions and a solution comprising sodium and/or potassium ions. More preferably, the milk protein composition is a mixture of ewe whey and ewe or goat permeate.