Abstract

SOLIS-OBA, Myrna et al. Application of Infrared Spectroscopy to the Monitoring of Lactose and Protein From Whey After Ultra and Nano Filtration Process. J. Mex. Chem. Soc [online]. 2011, vol.55, n.3, pp.190-193. ISSN 1870-249X.

Whey is produced during cheese manufacture, some of its constituents are lactose and proteins. In different countries such constituents are separated for use as raw material; some of the processes to separate these components are by ultra and nano-filtration, however most common methods for the determination of lactose and proteins are not accurate. This paper shows that infrared spectroscopy is a good alternative for the quantification of lactose and proteins after ultra- and nano-filtration processes. Linear calibration curves were obtained with this analytical technique for aqueous solutions containing lactose or protein in the range 0 to 20%; after 20% lactose, the solution becomes saturated. Infrared spectroscopy is a rapid and precise method that could be successfully used to quantify these compounds and follow the ultra- and nano-filtration process applied to purify lactose and proteins from whey.

Keywords : FT-IR; lactose; proteins; whey; ultra-filtration; nano-filtration.