Milk protein fractionation presents a multi-dimensional separation challenge, with proteins ranging from 14 kDa (α-lactalbumin) to 375 kDa (immunoglobulins) distributed across both soluble and colloidal phases. Traditional separation methods achieve only 65-75% protein recovery, while dealing with temperature-sensitive denaturation thresholds and complex protein-mineral interactions that affect functionality.

The fundamental challenge lies in selectively isolating specific protein fractions while preserving their native structural properties and functional characteristics.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including controlled denaturation processes for whey protein aggregation, multi-stage membrane filtration systems, electrodialysis mineral recapture, and microparticulation techniques for enhanced functionality. These and other approaches focus on maximizing protein recovery while maintaining the biological activity and technological functionality of the isolated fractions.

1. Whey Protein Nanogels with High Beta-Lactoglobulin Content and Low Calcium Ratio Formed in Specific pH Range

ARLA FOODS AMBA, 2024

Whey protein nanogels with unique properties for use in food applications like beverages and thickened foods. The nanogels are made by denaturing whey protein in a specific pH range. The key features are: using whey protein solutions with high native beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) content (3%-27%), pH 5.8-7.5, low calcium/BLG ratio (0.0037-0.0041 pH-0.0234), and avoiding shear during processing. The nanogels have low viscosity even at high protein concentrations, making them suitable for beverages. They also have applications in thickened foods and as whitening agents.

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2. Whey Protein Aggregates with Controlled Denaturation and Particle Size Distribution

LY-INNOVA SOLUTION INC, 2024

Whey protein aggregates that exhibit enhanced water retention and fat globule retention properties, particularly in dairy products like cheese and yogurt. The aggregates are formed through a controlled denaturation process that preserves the protein's native structure while selectively extracting water-soluble components. This process enables the creation of aggregates with specific particle sizes and distributions, which can be further optimized through shearing and processing to achieve the desired characteristics. The aggregates retain their functional properties even when incorporated into dairy products, offering improved cheese and yogurt stability and texture.

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3. Method for Component Separation in Milk Using Rapid Acidification and Filtration to Isolate Beta-Lactoglobulin

ANHUI TIANKAI BIOTECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2023

A method to separate components in milk and dairy products that allows efficient extraction of specific proteins like beta-lactoglobulin while retaining the nutritional value of the remaining components. The method involves rapidly forming a suspension in acidified milk to separate the beta-lactoglobulin. This suspension is filtered to get a supernatant rich in beta-lactoglobulin. The remaining protein components form a pellet that can be redissolved and processed further. The beta-lactoglobulin-free milk-based component contains casein, whey proteins, and other nutrients. This allows extracting beta-lactoglobulin preferentially from milk without destroying the nutritional value of the remaining components. The method improves extraction efficiency, nutritional value, and economic benefits of milk processing.

4. Multi-Stage Filtration System with Sequential Wide-Pore, Ultra-Filtration, Nano-Filtration, and Reverse Osmosis Membranes for Milk Component Separation

MEMTEC LLC, 2023

A multi-stage filtration process to separate and concentrate different components of milk to create specialized dairy products. The process involves filtering milk through wide-pore, ultra-filtration, nano-filtration, and reverse osmosis membranes to selectively remove and retain different milk proteins, lactose, and minerals. The separated components can be combined in customized ratios to produce filtered dairy products with enhanced nutritional profiles.

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5. Methods for Producing Greek Yogurt with Protein-Enriched Milk Fraction and Reduced Acid Whey

FAIRLIFE LLC, 2023

Methods for making high-protein Greek yogurt products with reduced acid whey. The methods involve concentrating skim milk to form a protein-enriched milk fraction, combining it with additional milk to make a standardized yogurt base, inoculating with yogurt culture and fermenting, then removing acid whey. This results in a yogurt product with higher protein content and less acid whey compared to traditional methods.

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6. Method for Mineral Recapture in Lactose-Reduced Milk via Electrodialysis and Ultrafiltration

ARLA FOODS AMBA, 2023

A method for producing lactose-reduced milk that recaptures minerals lost during lactose reduction using electrodialysis. The method involves ultrafiltering milk to separate the lactose and proteins, then using electrodialysis to transfer minerals from the lactose-enriched permeate stream to the lactose-reduced retentate stream. This allows recapturing the minerals and improving the nutritional value of the lactose-reduced milk compared to just diluting the original milk.

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7. Method for Membrane and Microfiltration Processing of Whey-Derived Composition to Enrich Phospholipid and Osteopontin

ARLA FOODS AMBA, 2023

A method of preparing a whey-derived composition enriched with respect to phospholipid and osteopontin, and preferably also enriched with respect to other milk fat globule membrane components. The method involves providing a liquid feed of whey protein, subjecting it to membrane filtration to enrich phospholipid and reduce alpha-lactalbumin, then microfiltration with a 1-2 μm pore size to further enrich phospholipid and reduce microorganisms. The resulting whey-derived composition can be used as a nutritional ingredient.

8. Method for Producing High Protein Dairy Products Using Acid-Gelatable Whey Protein Aggregates

ARLA FOODS AMBA, 2022

Preparation of high protein dairy products with at least 14% protein and 40% dry matter content. The method involves combining acidified dairy products with acid-gelatable whey protein aggregates. The aggregates contribute to the protein content and texture of the final product. The acid-gelatable whey protein aggregates can make up at least 40% of the total protein in the final product. This allows producing high protein dairy products with desirable texture and mouthfeel without adding external proteins like soy or pea. The acidification also helps increase protein content by denaturing and aggregating the whey proteins.

9. Whey Protein Concentration Using pH-Adjusted Membrane Separation and Dialysis

WANG PENG, 2022

Concentration and separation of whey protein through a novel approach that enables efficient purification of whey proteins, including e-lactoglobulin, while minimizing environmental impact. The process involves a multi-step procedure that involves adjusting pH levels during membrane separation and dialysis, followed by membrane-based separation, and finally drying and reconstitution steps to achieve high-purity whey protein concentrates.

10. Whey Protein Powder Composition with High Denatured Protein Content and Acid-Gellable Aggregates

ARLA FOODS AMBA, 2022

Acid-gellable whey protein powder composition that can be used for preparing more whey protein products than whey proteins. The composition includes a total amount of protein of at least 60% (w/w) relative to the dry weight of the powder composition and comprising 40-100% (w/w) denatured whey protein particles relative to the total amount of protein, wherein at least 50% (w/w) of the denatured whey protein particles are acid-gellable whey protein aggregates.

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11. Method for Producing High-Protein Dairy Ingredients Using Nanofiltration for Selective Ion Separation

MEIJI CO LTD, 2021

Method for producing high-protein dairy ingredients like powders, liquids, or concentrates with improved refreshing feeling, reduced protein odor, and reduced reducing odor. The method involves concentrating a high-protein milk fluid with a nanofiltration membrane. This concentrates proteins, sugars, and divalent ions in the holding liquid while allowing monovalent ions to pass. By controlling the concentration ratio, flavors are retained while removing impurities. The concentrated dairy raw material can be further dried into powders or used as liquid ingredients in foods and drinks.

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12. Dairy Filtration Method Utilizing Multi-Stage Membrane Separation for Component Isolation

MEMTEC LLC, 2021

Filtering dairy like milk to produce filtered dairy products with enhanced compositions. The method involves separating components like casein, beta-lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin, and lactose by filtering through wide-pore, ultra-filtration, nano-filtration, and reverse osmosis stages. The filtered components are then combined to create custom dairy products with tailored nutritional profiles.

13. Method for Enzymatic Hydrolysis of β-Lactoglobulin Using Trypsin, Complex Protease, and Papain

BEIJING TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS UNIVERSITY, 2021

A novel method for producing a β-lactoglobulin T cell tolerance hydrolysate from bovine milk, which is used to prevent food allergies. The hydrolysate is prepared through enzymatic digestion of β-lactoglobulin using trypsin, complex protease, and papain, followed by purification and characterization. The resulting hydrolysate exhibits immune tolerance properties, with specific peptides demonstrating reduced IgE production and Th2 cell activation in mouse models. This hydrolysate can be used as an oral tolerance agent in food and medicine formulations.

14. Lactoferrin Isolation via Ion Exchange with Macroporous Cation Resin and Programmed Elution

HEILONGJIANG FEIHE DAIRY CO LTD, 2021

Preparing lactoferrin with high purity at a high recovery rate. The preparation includes taking cow or sheep skim milk and whey liquid as raw materials, performing ion exchange treatment by using a macroporous cation exchange resin column, performing programmed elution on the resin column by using a sodium chloride or potassium chloride aqueous solution, and collecting a first elution collected liquid containing lactoperoxidase and a second elution collected liquid containing lactoferrin.

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15. Membrane Filtration Process for Fractionating and Recombining Dairy Components

FAIRLIFE LLC, 2021

A process for making customized dairy compositions using ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, and diafiltration steps. The process involves separating milk into protein, fat, carbohydrate, and mineral components using membrane filtration. The separated fractions are then combined in different proportions to create tailored dairy compositions. The steps are: ultrafiltering milk to separate protein and permeate, reverse osmosing the permeate to separate salt and lactose, nanofiltering the reverse osmosis retentate to separate minerals, and combining selected fractions like protein, lactose, minerals, and fat to form the customized dairy composition. The final composition can be heat treated and packaged.

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16. Denatured Whey Protein Particles with Controlled Fat Content and High Protein Concentration

ARLA FOODS AMBA, 2020

Denatured whey protein compositions with low fat and high protein content for use in high protein, low fat food products. The compositions contain denatured whey protein particles with low fat content. The key to achieving low fat denatured whey protein is carefully controlling the fat content in the initial whey protein solution before heating and shearing to form the particles. This prevents fat binding to the particles during formation. The compositions can have >60% protein, >90% protein on dry weight, and <3% fat on dry weight. Applications include high protein, low fat dairy products like yogurts.

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17. Sequential Filtration System for Dairy Component Separation and Concentration

MEMTEC LLC, 2020

Filtering milk to produce filtered dairy products with enhanced compositions. The method involves sequential filtration steps to separate and concentrate different milk components. This allows creating customized dairy products with targeted nutritional profiles. The steps are: wide pore filtration to separate casein and beta-lactoglobulin, ultrafiltration to separate alpha-lactalbumin, nanofiltration to separate lactose, and reverse osmosis to concentrate the remaining components. The filtered permeates can be combined with cream and some retentates to create the final filtered milk product.

18. Denatured Whey Protein Compositions with Microparticulated Particles and Reduced Viscosity

ARLA FOODS AMBA, 2020

Denatured whey protein compositions with high protein content (60% or more) for use in foods like yogurt, beverages, and nutritional products. The compositions are made by denaturing and microparticulating whey proteins at low pH (5-8) to form insoluble particles. This reduces viscosity compared to compositions with native whey proteins. The compositions can contain casein, milk powder, carbohydrates, fats, and sweeteners. The denatured whey proteins have particle sizes in the 1-10 micron range for improved texture.

19. Microparticulated Whey Protein with Defined Particle Size Distribution

VALIO LTD, 2020

Microparticulating of ideal whey protein in milk based products and/or dairy products. The microparticulated ideal whey protein preparation has particle size of 1-200 m, and the taste of the microparticulated ideal whey protein is creamy and full-flavored.

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20. Membrane Filtration System for Sequential Separation of Milk Components

FAIRLIFE LLC, 2020

Separating milk into protein, fat, carbohydrate, and mineral components using membrane filtration techniques like ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and forward osmosis. The method involves ultrafiltering milk, nanofiltering the permeate, and then subjecting the nanofiltrate to forward osmosis to concentrate the minerals. These separated components are then combined in various ratios to create customized dairy compositions. The compositions can be further processed like pasteurization and packaged for sale.

21. Acidified Liquid Dairy Product with Integrated Calcium and Magnesium Fortified Whey Protein Concentrate

22. Method for Producing Crystalline β-Lactoglobulin with Orthorhombic Unit Cell from Supersaturated Whey Protein Solution

23. Milk Component Separation Using Hydrolysis, Nanofiltration, and Chromatographic Fractionation Techniques

24. Microparticulated Whey Protein with Cavitation-Induced Fibrous Network

25. Whey Protein Beverage with Sequential Filtration and Lactose Hydrolysis

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