4 Membrane Processes for Food Industries
This section discusses about the importance and use of membranes in different
applications of food industry. Membranes are employed for the separation and
purification of food products, such as proteins, fruit juice, milk, and other beverages.
In this section, the role and use of membranes for the separation and purification of
these food products are discussed in detail.
4.1 Protein Purification and Concentration
The membrane separation processes, especially ultrafiltration, are widely used for
the protein separation, purification, and concentration [1]. This section is divided
into following subsections for better understanding of the topic.
Protein Concentration
Membrane processes separate proteins from a feed, and the resultant remains is the
protein concentrate. This helps in recovering of protein in its intact form and from
any dilute feed. Additionally, protein content is adjusted with the help of membranes
in pharmaceutical formulations. The conventional processes of protein purification,
such as chromatography, crystallization, and precipitation, can be employed after the
step consisting of membrane processes. This will help in keeping the natural form
and composition of the proteins intact. In addition to this, it also makes the whole
process economical.
Protein Desalting
The solution containing proteins also contains salts and some impurities. Therefore,
membrane separation processes are also employed for the desalting of the protein
solution. This results in the protein of pure quality. Membrane separation processes
can also be used in combination with other salt removal techniques, such as saltinduced precipitation in case the salt concentration is very high. This combination is
useful as high salt concentrations result in fouling of the membranes.
Protein Purification
Proteins are separated from other impurities, such as bacteria, viruses, salts, and
other unwanted compounds; this results in proteins with high quality and quantity in
their intact form. Nowadays, ultrafiltration membranes are commonly used for the
separation of prions.
Protein Fractionation
In case two or more numbers of proteins are present in a solution, then membrane
separation processes are used for the separation of one protein from other. This
process of protein separation from each other is known as protein fractionation. The
major factors playing important role in protein fractionation are pH and ionic
Membrane Technology in Bioprocess Engineering
13
This section discusses about the importance and use of membranes in different
applications of food industry. Membranes are employed for the separation and
purification of food products, such as proteins, fruit juice, milk, and other beverages.
In this section, the role and use of membranes for the separation and purification of
these food products are discussed in detail.
4.1 Protein Purification and Concentration
The membrane separation processes, especially ultrafiltration, are widely used for
the protein separation, purification, and concentration [1]. This section is divided
into following subsections for better understanding of the topic.
Protein Concentration
Membrane processes separate proteins from a feed, and the resultant remains is the
protein concentrate. This helps in recovering of protein in its intact form and from
any dilute feed. Additionally, protein content is adjusted with the help of membranes
in pharmaceutical formulations. The conventional processes of protein purification,
such as chromatography, crystallization, and precipitation, can be employed after the
step consisting of membrane processes. This will help in keeping the natural form
and composition of the proteins intact. In addition to this, it also makes the whole
process economical.
Protein Desalting
The solution containing proteins also contains salts and some impurities. Therefore,
membrane separation processes are also employed for the desalting of the protein
solution. This results in the protein of pure quality. Membrane separation processes
can also be used in combination with other salt removal techniques, such as saltinduced precipitation in case the salt concentration is very high. This combination is
useful as high salt concentrations result in fouling of the membranes.
Protein Purification
Proteins are separated from other impurities, such as bacteria, viruses, salts, and
other unwanted compounds; this results in proteins with high quality and quantity in
their intact form. Nowadays, ultrafiltration membranes are commonly used for the
separation of prions.
Protein Fractionation
In case two or more numbers of proteins are present in a solution, then membrane
separation processes are used for the separation of one protein from other. This
process of protein separation from each other is known as protein fractionation. The
major factors playing important role in protein fractionation are pH and ionic
Membrane Technology in Bioprocess Engineering
13