The advantage of advanced flow electrolysis in isolating protein from whey

Electrolysis technology dates back to Faraday and encompasses many technologies such as electrocoagulation, electrooxidation, electrodialysis, disinfection and many more.
Classic electrolysis in an aqueous system is a redox reaction where H+ ions are formed anodically: 2H2O → O2 + 4H+ + 4e- and cathodically: OH- -ions - 2H2O + 2e- → H2↑ + 2 OH-, which means that the pH value rises or falls. Electrolytic processes preferably use clear solutions or emulsions such as milk. In the reactor system, AEM/CEM ion exchange membranes or hydrophilic membranes with the appropriate pore size can be used, depending on the protein or requirements.
This is used to precipitate a protein at the isoelectric point (IEP), where the net charge is 0. The advantage of this method is that the protein is retained in its original environment or matrix and no substances such as acids, alkalis, salts or chemicals are added. The protein can be washed as a precipitate (crystal cake) to remove any remaining whey or milk.
Whey is produced in large quantities (e.g. 500-1,000 m3 per day) in dairies during the manufacture of cheese and other products. Until now, this whey has hardly been used in refinement processes to utilise the isolated compounds as ingredients. One protein appears to be particularly interesting - lactoferrin, which has been attributed with various positive attributes/properties that affect the human body. However, other substances in whey are also of interest and can be isolated and extracted.
There are two fractions of whey that differ in pH value: sweet and sour whey, which still contains GMP (glycomacropeptide). All other whey proteins are retained during fractionation and can be isolated in subsequent steps.
The method is carried out under direct current pulses in PWM mode under cooling, using a stack of reactors. The technology always operates under conditions that preserve the native protein, as lactoferrin (Lf) irreversibly denatures at higher temperatures, even just below 60°C. This effect can occur as 'hot spots' during spray drying and is also achieved by high salt content at inappropriate pH values.
The highlight of the process is essentially the high-speed 'one-step process' (real-time method) and the preservation of a native protein. Since the process does not involve the time-consuming, classic steps of membrane filtration and ion exchange chromatography, it is clear that the costs are only a fraction of those involved in conventional methods. This allows lactoferrin to be obtained in high purity and high yield in its native form.
Since the lactoferrin is obtained at 4° to 8°C, precipitation at the IEP is complete under cooling conditions with high yield, whereby large crystals form under these conditions, which is advantageous for centrifugation.
The investment costs and operating costs (Opex/Apex) should also be considered accordingly. Since the process uses pulsed current at high flow rates (shear forces), there is no build-up on electrodes or membranes. This saves on CIP costs.

Bioway Consulting SL
C./ Tirant Lo Blanc4, 3rd floor, office 19
ES-03750 Pedreguer / Alicante - Spain
Phone: 0034965030786
Mail: contact@biowayconsulting.com
https://www.biowayconsulting.com
Presscontact: Norbert Pautz

Bioway Consulting SL is an engineering company in the consulting business, active in research and development of new technologies in the field of wastewater treatment based on electrolysis technologies.
It was founded in 1989 in Germany as a sole proprietorship and later continued in Switzerland as Bioway GmbH. The main activity at that time was initially as a distributor for renowned companies from abroad (e.g. Charm Sciences / USA and Malthus Instruments Ltd / UK etc.). This was followed by own developments with production such as the IGDS (Intelligent Gravimetric Dilution System) and devices for water disinfection.
The focus on water disinfection / water and waste water purification was intensified. In addition, a system for the inactivation of airborne germs (viruses/bacteria) was developed and manufactured (Corona Wave).
Today Bioway is active in the consulting business and co-operates with other European companies in the field of waste water purification and develops processes by testing customer waste water samples in its own laboratory. The latest development is the extraction of protein out of skimmed milk and whey filtrate as one step application.

This release was published on openPR.