Clarification of milk whey proteins by cascade nano-pore membrane filtration process

The basic aim was to clarify the whey proteins from buffalo milk using nano-pore membrane filtration. The purification involved size-exclusion principle of separating the proteins based on their nano-molecular sizes. Buffalo milk was pre-treated to obtain whey-protein isolates by removal of fat, casein and phosphates using centrifugation. The product was processed by Microfiltration membrane to remove bacteria, colloids and Lipo-proteins; Nanofiltration membrane to separate salts and Ultrafiltration membrane to clarify the whey proteins. Proteins; Glyco-Macro Peptide (GMP), Lacto-albumin (La), Lacto-globulin (Lg) and Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) were collected by the employment of lOkDa (kilo-Daltons), 30kDa, 50kDa and lOOkDa respectively based mainly on the molecular weights of proteins. Each protein was confirmed by qualitative and quantitative analyses. Qualitative analysis involving Lowry´s test and Bi-uret testrevealed permeate yield values corresponding to the standard concentrations of each protein in the whey. Gel- Filtration Chromatography and SDS-PAGE carried out for qualitative analysis confirmed the presence of desired proteins with regard to their respective molecular weights. Yield values for the 4 proteins were found to be satisfactory after 2 trails. Design parameterswere optimized for lab scale cascade membrane filtration process.