Dobozi Réka and Jákói Zoltán and Szabó P. Balázs and Kertész Szabolcs: Resistance structure and solute removal pathways in UF–DF of sweet whey.
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Abstract
Whey is a high-volume by-product of dairy processing, rich in valuable proteins, lactose, and minerals, yet its utilization remains limited in many regions due to challenges related to shelf life, transport, and processing infrastructure. Membrane-based separations such as ultrafiltration (UF) and diafiltration (DF) offer chemical-free, low-energy routes for valorizing whey streams, but their efficiency depends not only on the nominal molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) of the membranes, but also on fouling dynamics and concentration polarization phenomena. In this study, sweet whey was subjected to UF combined with up to four constantvolume DF steps using polyethersulfone (PES) membranes with MWCOs of 10, 30, and 50 kDa. Retention of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and lactose was determined, and the evolution of total hydraulic resistance (RT) and its components – membrane resistance (RM), reversible resistance (RREV), and irreversible resistance (RIRR) – was evaluated. Results showed that COD retention closely followed lactose concentration changes, with strong correlations (r ≈ 0.99), confirming that small, permeable solutes dominated COD trends. UF exhibited clear MWCO-dependent retention (10 kDa > 30 kDa > 50 kDa), whereas during DF the sharpest decline occurred in the first diafiltration cycle (DF1), due to dilution-induced disruption of the concentration polarization layer and reduction of RREV. Beyond DF2, resistance stabilized and the separation performance of the 30 and 50 kDa membranes converged, indicating that hydrodynamic control outweighed nominal MWCO differences. For the 10 kDa membrane, irreversible fouling became more prominent in later DF steps, increasing RT. Overall, the first DF cycle resulted in the greatest removal of dissolved components with low molecular weight, while subsequent cycles contributed to a diminishing extent to the removal of these fractions, but further increased the purity of the protein fraction remaining in the retentate. These findings suggest that optimal industrial strategies should apply a limited number of DF steps and carefully consider fouling mechanisms to balance efficiency, product quality, and resource use.
| Item Type: | Conference or Workshop Item |
|---|---|
| Journal or Publication Title: | Proceedings of the International Symposium on Analytical and Environmental Problems |
| Date: | 2025 |
| Volume: | 31 |
| ISBN: | 978-963-688-078-1 |
| Page Range: | pp. 297-301 |
| Language: | English |
| Publisher: | University of Szeged |
| Place of Publication: | Szeged |
| Event Title: | 31th International Symposium on Analytical and Environmental Problems |
| Event Type: | Conference |
| Event Location: | Szeged |
| Event Dates: | 2025. október 13-14. |
| Related URLs: | https://acta.bibl.u-szeged.hu/88570/ |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Tejipari technológia, Élelmiszerkémia |
| Additional Information: | Bibliogr.: 301. p. ; ill. ; összefoglalás angol nyelven |
| Subjects: | 02. Engineering and technology 02. Engineering and technology > 02.10. Other engineering and technologies 02. Engineering and technology > 02.10. Other engineering and technologies > 02.10.02. Food and beverages |
| Date Deposited: | 2025. Nov. 11. 09:30 |
| Last Modified: | 2025. Nov. 11. 09:30 |
| URI: | http://acta.bibl.u-szeged.hu/id/eprint/88701 |
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