Method for separating alpha-lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin

A method for providing an alpha-lactalbumin fraction and a beta-lactoglobulin fraction from a whey material obtained from milk, the method comprising the steps of:

• (i) Providing the whey material;
• (ii) Contacting the whey material with a chromatographic support allowing beta-lactoglobulin to be retained by the chromatographic support;
• (iii) Obtaining a permeate fraction from the chromatographic support comprising the alpha-lactalbumin fraction;
• (iv) Optionally washing the chromatographic support;
• (v) Obtaining a retentate fraction from the chromatographic support comprising the beta-lactoglobulin fraction;
• wherein the whey material provided in step (i) has been depleted, or substantially depleted from at least one whey protein, such as at least 2 whey proteins, e.g. at least 3 whey proteins, and wherein the fractionation of the alpha-lactalbumin fraction from the beta-lactoglobulin fraction is performed by selective adsorption of the beta-lactoglobulin fraction to the chromatographic support.