Hydrolysis of hen egg white ovomucin

 This paper reports on the solubilization of ovomucin by hydrolysis. This glycoprotein can easily be obtained by precipitation but the precipitate itself is not soluble in ordinary buffers. Flavourzyme, a protease/peptidase complex, enables the solubilization of ovomucin in 1 h and the hydrolysis of the soluble materials. These compounds were studied by HPLC gel permeation, electrophoresis and an amino acid analyser in order to define their molecular weight, the presence of glycans and the liberation of free amino acids. High-molecular-weight glycosylated materials (>94,000 Da) and one glycopeptide (38,100 Da) were detected. Free amino acids (all amino acids are represented) and peptides (from 34,400 to 20,800 Da) were also released in the solution. Received: 14 March 1997     

牛奶微滤除菌技术研究

在均一孔径膜微滤系统的基础上，通过梯度膜切向流反向脉冲微滤系统的构建，研究了梯度膜用于牛奶微滤除菌的效果及其可行参数。结果证明，1．4μm孔径梯度膜对脱脂乳成分几乎没有截留，对细菌和芽孢高效截留，截留率分别达到99．94％和99．86％，陶瓷膜系统易于清洗，消毒方法简单彻底，在乳品工业中有着广阔的应用前景。     

Effect of temperature and pore size on the fractionation of fresh and reconstituted buttermilk by microfiltration

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of temperature (7, 25, and 50 degrees C) and pore size (0.1, 0.8, and 1.4 micro m) on the separation of proteins and lipids (neutral lipids and phospholipids) during microfiltration (MF) of fresh or reconstituted buttermilk. Buttermilk was subjected to MF using a pilot-scale unit mounted with ceramic membranes. The MF runs were carried out in a uniform transmembrane pressure (UTP) mode. Changes in processing temperature had no significant impact on protein transmission, whereas increasing temperature reduced both lipid and phospholipid transmission. A maximum concentration factor (CF) for lipids was reached at 25 degrees C, as protein CF remained essentially unaffected by temperature. The use of the smaller pore size (0.1 microm) resulted in low lipid (10%) and protein (approximately 20%) transmission. Larger pore sizes (0.8 and 1.4 microm) resulted in higher levels of protein, lipid, and phospholipid transmission (>50%), but gave high permeation fluxes. Transmission of both proteins and lipids was markedly different when using fresh buttermilk as opposed to reconstituted buttermilk. This study showed that MF temperature, pore size, and buttermilk type influence fractionation but that MF alone cannot achieve optimal separation of lipids and proteins for the production of novel ingredients from buttermilk.     

Changes in the composition of ovomucin during liquefaction of thick egg white

Preparations of purified ovomucin complex have been obtained from samples of thick egg white which were liquefied during incubation at 37 °C under sterile conditions. Chemical analyses of the ovomucin complex and analytical ultra-centrifugation of fully reduced derivatives of the ovomucin complex obtained from thick egg white thinned by incubation at 37 °C have shown that these preparations, unlike those obtained from “fresh” thick egg white, contained only small quantities of β-ovomucin. It is postulated that β-ovomucin is converted to a more soluble form during the natural thinning of thick egg white at 37 °C.     

陶瓷膜微滤技术生产ESL牛乳的应用研究

对Membralox GP1．4μm陶瓷膜在脱脂牛奶除菌过程中的应用进行了实验研究。在原料温度50℃、浓缩倍数(VCR)为20的条件下，连续过滤6．5h，过膜压力(TMP)和流量基本保持恒定，细菌分离效率大于5；确定了膜的操作条件和再生方式，结果表明，膜过滤的牛奶采用不同的温度杀菌后无菌包装，货架期显著延长。应用膜过滤技术可生产延长货架期(ESL)牛奶。     

陶瓷膜微滤技术在牛乳除菌中的应用

对陶瓷梯度膜用于牛乳微滤除菌的效果及其可行参数进行了研究.结果表明,0.8与1.2 μm孔径梯度膜对细菌高效截流,截留率达到了99.5%以上.0.8μm孔径梯度膜在温度为50℃、浓缩20倍的条件下,蛋白截流率为10%,膜通量为300L/(m2·h).     

Economic feasibility evaluation of microfiltration of milk prior to cheesemaking

A nonlinear programming optimization model was used to evaluate the net revenues and potential profit-ability of microfiltration (MF) prior to cheesemaking in the 3-year period 1998 to 2000, using monthly milk price and composition data. The model identifies the optimal mix of milk resources and determines if MF cheesemaking produces a higher net revenue than conventional cheesemaking that uses NDM and condensed milk for fortification. This study demonstrates the potential of this model to evaluate new technologies in cheese manufacture and improve decision making in the cheese industry. The use of MF produced higher net revenues in 30 out of the 36 mo for both Cheddar and low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella, leading to an appreciable increase in net revenue (vs. conventional cheesemaking) for both cheeses. The benefit from MF in net revenue was greater when the cream price was high. The use of 3X MF yielded the same net revenue as 2X MF. An estimate of manufacturing costs of MF vs. conventional cheesemaking was also made. To this end, the yields of products were calculated by the optimization model, while the production cost of each product was estimated from data of two economic engineering studies and a MF cheesemaking trial. The manufacturing cost of MF Cheddar was slightly higher than the manufacturing cost of conventional Cheddar. However, the benefit in net revenue from the use of MF was estimated to be higher than the difference in manufacturing costs. Moreover, some advantages in the new coproducts of MF Cheddar could outweigh its higher manufacturing cost. The relationships between prices and recoveries of coproducts required to render MF profitable were identified.     

Emulsifying properties of soy protein isolates obtained by microfiltration

Soy protein isolate (SPI) fractions were produced using two different pore size microfiltration membranes. Microfiltration was carried out on SPI produced by isoelectric precipitation of a crude protein extract. Five fractions were obtained: two retentates and two permeates from the two membranes plus an intermediate fraction obtained as the retentate on the small‐pore‐size membrane using the permeate from the larger‐pore‐size membrane. Emulsions stabilised by the retentate fractions exhibited higher values (P < 0.01) of emulsion stability index (ESI) and emulsifying activity index (EAI) than those stabilised with fractions made from the permeates. The intermediate fraction gave intermediate ESI values, while the EAI values were not significantly different from those for SPI and one of the retentates. SDS‐PAGE profiles indicated that the fractions exhibiting high functionality in terms of ESI and EAI were also richer in 7S globulin soy protein subunits. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

A physicochemical investigation of membrane fouling in cold microfiltration of skim milk

The main challenge in microfiltration (MF) is membrane fouling, which leads to a significant decline in permeate flux and a change in membrane selectivity over time. This work aims to elucidate the mechanisms of membrane fouling in cold MF of skim milk by identifying and quantifying the proteins and minerals involved in external and internal membrane fouling. Microfiltration was conducted using a 1.4-μm ceramic membrane, at a temperature of 6 ± 1°C, cross-flow velocity of 6 m/s, and transmembrane pressure of 159 kPa, for 90 min. Internal and external foulants were extracted from a ceramic membrane both after a brief contact between the membrane and skim milk, to evaluate instantaneous adsorption of foulants, and after MF. Four foulant streams were collected: weakly attached external foulants, weakly attached internal foulants, strongly attached external foulants, and strongly attached internal foulants. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry analysis showed that all major milk proteins were present in all foulant streams. Proteins did appear to be the major cause of membrane fouling. Proteomics analysis of the foulants indicated elevated levels of serum proteins as compared with milk in the foulant fractions collected from the adsorption study. Caseins were preferentially introduced into the fouling layer during MF, when transmembrane pressure was applied, as confirmed both by proteomics and mineral analyses. The knowledge generated in this study advances the understanding of fouling mechanisms in cold MF of skim milk and can be used to identify solutions for minimizing membrane fouling and increasing the efficiency of milk MF.     

Noncasein nitrogen analysis of ultrafiltration and microfiltration retentate

Previous research has suggested that the standard noncasein nitrogen (NCN) measurement method for milk overestimates the NCN content of microfiltration (MF) retentate. The objective of this study was to develop a modified method to more accurately measure the NCN content of ultrafiltration and MF retentate products. The standard method is based on precipitation of casein micelles at their isoelectric point (4.6) with acetic acid. In the standard method, a 10-mL milk sample and 75 mL of 38°C water are placed in a 100-mL volumetric flask. One milliliter of 10% acetic acid solution is added and the flask is incubated at 38°C for 10 min. Subsequently, 1 mL of 1N sodium acetate solution is added and mixed. After cooling the contents to 20°C, the flask is made up to 100 mL with water, mixed, and then filtered (Whatman No. 1 filter paper). The N content of the filtrate is then determined by Kjeldahl analysis and referred to as NCN. A method was developed that used a 50-mL centrifugal tube instead of a volumetric flask. This modification facilitated measurement of the pH after addition of acetic acid. Subsequently, the sample was centrifuged (800 × g at 25°C) for 10 min to facilitate filtration with a smaller pore size filter paper (Whatman no. 6). In this study, we evaluated the effect of pH after addition of 1% acetic acid and pH of the final filtrate on NCN analysis. Four pH levels after acetic acid addition (4.0, 4.2, 4.4, and 4.6) and 2 pH levels after sodium acetate addition (4.6 and 4.8) were evaluated. As the pH after acetic acid addition was increased from 4.0 to 4.6, the NCN content significantly decreased. Sodium dodecyl sulfate PAGE results also indicated that the casein fractions present in the filtrate were significantly decreased when the pH was increased from 4.0 to 4.6. The NCN content slightly decreased but the difference was not significant when the final pH of the filtrate was increased from 4.6 to 4.8. Subsequently, the NCN contents of several ultrafiltration and MF samples were determined using the standard method and modified method. The modified method gave significantly lower NCN values for most samples as compared with the standard method.     

Production efficiency of micellar casein concentrate using polymeric spiral-wound microfiltration membranes

Most current research has focused on using ceramic microfiltration (MF) membranes for micellar casein concentrate production, but little research has focused on the use of polymeric spiral-wound (SW) MF membranes. A method for the production of a serum protein (SP)-reduced micellar casein concentrate using SW MF was compared with a ceramic MF membrane. Pasteurized (79°C, 18s) skim milk (1,100 kg) was microfiltered at 50°C [about 3 × concentration] using a 0.3-μm polyvinylidene fluoride spiral-wound membrane, bleed-and-feed, 3-stage process, using 2 diafiltration stages, where the retentate was diluted 1:2 with reverse osmosis water. Skim milk, permeate, and retentate were analyzed for SP content, and the reduction of SP from skim milk was determined. Theoretically, 68% of the SP content of skim milk can be removed using a single-stage 3× MF. If 2 subsequent water diafiltration stages are used, an additional 22% and 7% of the SP can be removed, respectively, giving a total SP removal of 97%. Removal of SP greater than 95% has been achieved using a 0.1-μm pore size ceramic uniform transmembrane pressure (UTP) MF membrane after a 3-stage MF with diafiltration process. One stage of MF plus 2 stages of diafiltration of 50°C skim milk using a polyvinylidene fluoride polymeric SW 0.3-μm membrane yielded a total SP reduction of only 70.3% (stages 1, 2, and 3: 38.6, 20.8, and 10.9%, respectively). The SP removal rate for the polymeric SW MF membrane was lower in all 3 stages of processing (stages 1, 2, and 3: 0.05, 0.04, and 0.03 kg/m² per hour, respectively) than that of the comparable ceramic UTP MF membrane (stages 1, 2, and 3: 0.30, 0.11, and 0.06 kg/m² per hour, respectively), indicating that SW MF is less efficient at removing SP from 50°C skim milk than the ceramic UTP system. To estimate the number of steps required for the SW system to reach 95% SP removal, the third-stage SP removal rate (27.4% of the starting material SP content) was used to extrapolate that an additional 5 water diafiltration stages would be necessary, for a total of 8 stages, to remove 95% of the SP from skim milk. The 8-plus stages necessary to remove >95% SP for the SW MF membrane would create more permeate and a lengthier process than required with ceramic membranes.     

陶瓷膜微滤制备食用级浓缩磷脂的研究

用无机陶瓷膜微滤饲料级大豆磷脂-正己烷混合溶液制备出了杂质含量少、透明程度高的食用级浓缩磷脂。研究了膜孔径、压力、料溶比、温度与膜通量的关系以及不同膜孔径、溶料比、温度对磷脂丙酮不溶物含量、正己烷不溶物含量的影响。实验表明,在40℃,0.20MPa压力下,饲料级浓缩磷脂与正己烷质量比为1∶3的混合溶液用1.2μm孔径陶瓷膜微滤,初始膜通量为110L/(m2·h),微滤后产品中丙酮不溶物含量和正己烷不溶物含量分别为60.20%和0.0082%,符合食用级浓缩磷脂的要求。     

Optimization of dry heat treatment of egg white in relation to foam and interfacial properties

The properties of foams processed with reconstituted egg white were investigated as a function of the denaturation undergone by the proteins during the pasteurization stage in dry state. Various time-temperature tables were applied on the original egg white powder, ranging from 1 to 7 days, and from 60 to 80 °C. Differential Scanning Calorimetry was used to determine the denaturation degree of each EWP induced by the dry heat treatment. The rheological properties of the interface, using the drop tensiometer method, were shown to be significantly affected by the denaturation and to be a relevant parameter for foamability, stability and foam texture. The bulk properties of the foams were interrelated with interfacial properties by using principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (HCA). The resulting classification of the heat treatments reveals that mild treatment offers a good compromise between the heating cost and the functional properties of the foams.     

A microfiltration process to maximize removal of serum proteins from skim milk before cheese making

Microfiltration (MF) is a membrane process that can separate casein micelles from milk serum proteins (SP), mainly beta-lactoglobulin and alpha-lactalbumin. Our objective was to develop a multistage MF process to remove a high percentage of SP from skim milk while producing a low concentration factor retentate from microfiltration (RMF) with concentrations of soluble minerals, nonprotein nitrogen (NPN), and lactose similar to the original skim milk. The RMF could be blended with cream to standardize milk for traditional Cheddar cheese making. Permeate from ultrafiltration (PUF) obtained from the ultrafiltration (UF) of permeate from MF (PMF) of skim milk was successfully used as a diafiltrant to remove SP from skim milk before cheese making, while maintaining the concentration of lactose, NPN, and nonmicellar calcium. About 95% of the SP originally in skim milk was removed by combining one 3 x MF stage and two 3 x PUF diafiltration stages. The final 3 x RMF can be diluted with PUF to the desired concentration of casein for traditional cheese making. The PMF from the skim milk was concentrated in a UF system to yield an SP concentrate with protein content similar to a whey protein concentrate, but without residuals from cheese making (i.e., rennet, culture, color, and lactic acid) that can produce undesirable functional and sensory characteristics in whey products. Additional processing steps to this 3-stage MF process for SP removal are discussed to produce an MF skim retentate for a continuous cottage cheese manufacturing process.     

Effect of ultrasonic waves on flux enhancement in microfiltration of milk

In this work, effect of ultrasonic waves on permeation flux of a microfiltration membrane fouled with fresh cow milk as feed was studied. Also, effects of various parameters such as feed pressure, ultrasonic irradiation power, ultrasonic source diameter, distance between the irradiation source and the fouled membrane surface and pulse irradiation were studied and permeation flux variations were recorded. In all experiments, it was found that ultrasonic irradiation increases the microfiltration flux. The highest flux enhancement factor (%FE = 490%) was obtained at a pressure of 0.5 bar, power of 40 W and distance of 2.6 cm. Continuous irradiation of ultrasonic waves uplifted the flux enhancement factor in a degree of 33% more than pulse irradiation. Also, both SEM analysis and permeation flux of pure water confirmed that ultrasonic irradiation has no destructive effects on the membrane surface.     

Influence of microfiltration and adjunct culture on quality of Domiati cheese

The effects of microfiltration and pasteurization processes on proteolysis, lipolysis, and flavor development in Domiati cheese during 2 mo of pickling were studied. Cultures of starter lactic acid bacteria isolated from Egyptian dairy products were evaluated in experimental Domiati cheese for flavor development capabilities. In the first trial, raw skim milk was microfiltered and then the protein:fat ratio was standardized using pasteurized cream. Pasteurized milk with same protein:fat ratio was also used in the second trial. The chemical composition of cheeses seemed to be affected by milk treatment—microfiltration or pasteurization—rather than by the culture types. The moisture content was higher and the pH was lower in pasteurized milk cheeses than in microfiltered milk cheeses at d 1 of manufacture. Chemical composition of experimental cheeses was within the legal limits for Domiati cheese in Egypt. Proteolysis and lipolysis during cheese pickling were lower in microfiltered milk cheeses compared with pasteurized milk cheeses. Highly significant variations in free amino acids, free fatty acids, and sensory evaluation were found among the cultures used in Domiati cheesemaking. The cheese made using adjunct culture containing Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. lactis, Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Enterococcus faecium received high scores in flavor acceptability. Cheeses made from microfiltered milk received a higher score in body and texture compared with cheeses made from pasteurized milk.     

Statistical analysis of effects of industrial processing steps on functional properties of pasteurised liquid egg white

Egg white is widely used as an ingredient in the food industry owing to its excellent functional properties. The transformation of shell eggs into safe liquid, frozen, or spray‐dried egg white with extended shelf life requires many technological operations that result in modifications to the egg white's functional properties. The present study highlights the critical steps affecting foaming and gelling properties during a classical pasteurised liquid egg white process. The main source of variation in functional properties was raw material quality, accounting for 70% of the variability. Part of the remaining 30% was explained by mechanical egg white–yolk separation, tank storage, pasteurisation and homogenisation that resulted in damage to the functional properties, whereas initial flow through pipes and pumping resulted in their improvement. The effects of these steps could be grouped according to the type of treatment undertaken. Dry matter content, pH and treatment intensity at each step contributed about 30% of the variability in functional properties due to processing steps. Relationships between the modifications of egg white functional properties and protein conformation were established. Between 46 and 78% of the variability in functional properties can be explained by protein denaturation, temperature and enthalpy changes. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Changes in the composition of ovomucin during liquefaction of thick egg white: The effect of ionic strength and magnesium salts

Addition of small amounts of either sodium chloride or magnesium salts to thick egg white inhibited the natural thinning processes. Chemical analyses of the ovomucin complex and analytical ultracentrifugation of fully reduced derivatives obtained from thick egg white incubated at 37 °C showed that either 0.01 M-magnesium salt or 0.03 M-sodium chloride also reduced the losses of the β-ovomucins which normally occur during liquefaction of thick egg white. A possible mechanism by which magnesium and sodium chloride retard egg white liquefaction is discussed in relation to the known effect of these substances on ovomucin-lysozyme interactions. A proposed commercial application of the findings is outlined.     

Isolation of caseins from whey proteins by microfiltration modifying the mineral balance in skim milk

The objective of this work was to study the effect of different salts and salt concentration on the isolation of casein micelles from bovine raw skim milk by tangential flow microfiltration. Tangential flow microfiltration (0.22 μm) was conducted in a continuous process adding a modified buffer to maintain a constant initial sample volume. This buffer contained calcium chloride (CaCl₂), sodium phosphate (Na₂HPO₄), or potassium citrate (K₃C₆H₅O₇) in concentrations ranging from 0 to 100 mM. The concentrations of caseins and whey proteins retained were determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE and analyzed using the Scion Image software (Scion Corporation, Frederick, MD). A complete isolation of caseins from whey proteins was achieved using sodium phosphate in the range of 10 to 50 mM and 20 times the initial volume of buffer added. No whey proteins were detected at 50 mM but this was at the expense of low caseins being retained. When lower sodium phosphate concentrations were used, the amount of caseins retained was higher but a small amount of whey proteins were still detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE. Among the salts tested, calcium chloride at 50 mM and all volumes of buffer showed the higher retention of casein proteins. The highest casein:whey protein ratio was found at 30 mM CaCl₂, but no complete casein micelle isolation was achieved. Potassium citrate was the most ineffective salt because a rapid loss of caseins and whey proteins was observed at all concentrations and with low quantities of buffer added during the filtration process. Our results show the potential of altering the mineral balance in milk for isolation of casein micelles from whey proteins in a continuous tangential flow microfiltration system.