Plasmin-free dairy: chromatographic technology for the removal of plasmin activity from dairy products

In this project, a new dairy unit operation, based on affinity chromatography will be developed for the removal of plasmin from milk. The successful outcome of this project will enable the Danish dairy industry to improve the shelf-life, quality and functionality of dairy products, with specific focus on long-life liquid milk, casein concentrates/isolates and whey protein concentrates/isolates.

The new dairy unit operation (based on affinity chromatography) for producing plasmin-free dairy products is highly innovative, and has not been attempted previously. Currently, heat-treatment is used for controlling plasmin activity in milk, which results in significant whey protein denaturation and off-favour development, both of which are highly undesirable in terms of product value, shelf-life and functionality.

This new dairy unit operation developed here is expected to be a step change improvement due to its high selectivity and non-destructive nature. Affinity chromatography is a relatively mature technology in the biopharmaceutical industry and is readily transferrable to an ever increasingly sophisticated dairy industry.

The focus of this project will be to screen, design and develop affinity chromatography for the capture of plasmin (and its components) from milk. Pilot plant and subsequent industrial trials (long-life liquid milk products, casein and whey protein concentrates/isolates) will be performed in order to translate and apply the laboratory experiments into a “real-life” dairy manufacturing environment.

 

 

Researchers:

Name Title Phone E-mail
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Lametsch, Rene Associate Professor +4535333483 E-mail

Funded by:

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Plasmin-free dairy has received a four year funding from Mejeribrugets Forskningsfond and Arla Foods Ingredients.

Project: Plasmin-free dairy
Period:  January 1st 2018 - August 31st 2022
Total budget: DKK 5.15 mill.
UCPH budget: DKK 133,000

Contact:

External members:

Name Title Phone E-mail
Colin Ray Department Manager, Arla Foods Ingredients +45 91317876
colin.ray@arlafoods.com
Xiaolu Geng Research Scientist, Arla Foods Ingredients +45 91317847

xiaolu.geng@arlafoods.com