Method for Purification of Lactose
AssigneeDairy Australia Limited
InventorsEstelle V. Lifran, Robert W. Sleigh, Robert L. Johnson, Robert J. Steele, James A. Hourigan, Sean M. Dalziel
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Abstract
The present invention relates to improved methods of purification of sugars and in particular to a method of preparing lactose. A low purity lactose source such as whey is subjected to a first demineralization step involving either ion-exchange or the addition of divalent metal cations, followed by a second demineralization step where alcohol is added. The invention also relates to lactose produced by this method and products comprising lactose produced by this method.
Claims34
A method of preparing high-purity lactose in the form of rosette-shaped crystals from a lower purity lactose source including the steps as follows:
- (a) primary demineralisation of the lactose source by treatment with about 0.014M to 0.025M divalent metal ions to provide a lactose-containing solution and a mineral precipitate, and
- (b) secondary demineralisation of the lactose-containing solution from step (a) by addition of alcohol at a concentration of about 25% to 75% total liquid volume to provide a lactose containing-solution and a mineral precipitate, and
- (c) crystallisation of the lactose-containing solution from step (b).
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Lactose in the form of rosette-shaped crystals.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.