Antimicrobial Process Using Peracetic Acid During Whey Processing
AssigneeDeLaval Holding AB
InventorReed Semenza
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Abstract
A system and method for controlling bacteria in the production of whey protein concentrate (WPC) using an organic oxidizer. In embodiments, peracetic acid is introduced into whey solution before or after it encounters one or more ultrafilters. The peracetic acid, even when used in minute quantities, has proven to have sufficient antimicrobial effect such that bacteria counts in the filter are maintained at acceptable levels. The reduction in bacteria not only helps reduce WPC bacteria counts, but also enables the filters to run longer between cleanings.
Claims23
A process comprising:
- providing an acid, said acid comprising an organic oxidizer;
- introducing said acid into a whey solution;
- and
- filtering said acid along with said whey solution to produce whey protein concentrate (WPC).
A process comprising:
- filtering a whey solution to produce a whey protein concentrate (WPC) product;
- and
- introducing an organic oxidizer into said WPC product for antimicrobial purposes.
A whey-protein-concentrate production system comprising:
- a vessel adapted to receive an organic oxidizer into a whey solution to form a mix, said mix having a concentration of less than 10 ppm organic oxidizer;
- and
- at least one filtration device arranged to receive said mix and produce a whey-protein concentrate product.
A system for controlling the growth of organisms within the filtration membranes of a whey production system, the system comprising:
- a tank for temporarily holding a whey solution prior to filtration;
- a first delivery mechanism for transferring the whey solution from the tank through at least one filter for separating a protein retentate from a permeate;
- a second delivery mechanism for delivering a peracid solution at a predetermined concentration into the tank for mixing with the whey solution prior to the first delivery mechanism transferring the whey from the tank to the at least one filter, the peracid solution effectively retarding the growth of said organisms in said at least one filter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.