Method of removing lactose from a solution
AssigneeStellenbosch University
InventorsAmanda Jane Dodd, Lubertus Klumperman, Pieter Swart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention provides protein-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles comprising magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to which a lactose-binding protein or enzyme has been immobilized. The protein-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles are particularly suitable for separating lactose from a lactose-containing solution, such as milk, cheese, yoghurt, flavored milk or the like. The protein-functionalized MNPs can be added to the lactose-containing solution and be allowed to bind to the lactose in the solution. The MNPs, to which the lactose is bound, can then be magnetically removed from the solution, e.g. by applying an external magnetic field.
Claims12
A method for removing lactose from a lactose-containing solution, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. adding to the lactose-containing solution one or more magnetic nanoparticles onto which a β-galactosidase enzyme is immobilised, the β-galactosidase enzyme having at least one mutation which reduces the lactose hydrolysing activity of the β-galactosidase relative to the immobilised wild-type β-galactosidase,
- wherein the mutation is a Glu-537 mutation, a Glu-461 mutation, or a His-418 mutation, or any combination thereof;
- b. allowing the β-galactosidase enzyme on the magnetic nanoparticles to bind lactose from the solution;
- and
- c. magnetically separating the magnetic nanoparticles with the immobilised β-galactosidase enzyme including bound lactose from the solution, thereby removing the lactose which is bound to the β-galactosidase enzyme on the magnetic nanoparticles wherein more than 50% of any lactose present is removed from the solution.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.