Short communication: Isolation of a whey fraction rich in α-lactalbumin from skim milk using tangential flow ultrafiltration

The objective of this research was to evaluate the potential for separating α-lactalbumin from pasteurized milk by using tangential flow membrane filtration. Filtration was carried out with a Purosep 7000 series membrane filtration unit (SmartFlow Technologies) with a regenerated cellulose membrane at 26°C and a transmembrane pressure of 186 kPa. The protein in the permeate was >80% α-lactalbumin, and this product could be used as a value-added ingredient in nutritional products.