Purification of the Two Major Proteins from Whey Concentrate Using a Cation-Exchange Selective Adsorption Process

摘要

The packed-bed adsorption and elution of aqueous solutions of whey concentrate powders were investigated at pH 3.7 using a 5-mL SP Sepharose FF column to separate and isolate two major proteins namely, α-lactalbumin (ALA) and β-lacto globulin (BLG) from these solutions. ALA displaced and eluted BLG from the column in a pure form. Pure ALA could then be eluted with good recovery. A novel consecutive two-stage separation process was developed to separate ALA and BLG from whey concentrate mixtures. Almost all of the BLG in the feed was recovered, with 78% being recovered at 95% purity and a further 20% at 86% purity. In addition, 67% of ALA was recovered, 48% at 54% purity and 19% at 60% purity.