Production of an immunoglobulin enriched fraction from whey protein solutions using a cation exchanger

摘要

A process for producing an immunoglobulin enriched whey protein fraction and optionally a whey proteing isolate (WPI) from whey protein solutions is claimed. The process comprises subjecting a whey protein solution to ion exchange using a cation exchanger at pH 2.5-4.5 under conditions which overload the cation exchanger with potentially adsorbable protein which causes the exchanger to adsorb preferentially whey proteins other than immunoglobulin. The process further comprises recovering the breakthrough whey protein fraction not adsorbed by the ion exchange step and optionally eluting and recovering the WIP adsorbed to the cation exchange. An immunoglobulin enriched protein fraction prepared by the process is also claimed. The whey protein solution may be an ultrafiltration retentate