Methods for Recovering Lactase Enzyme
This invention relates to methods of recovering lactase from a dairy fraction. The methods of the invention provide for retrieving and recycling lactase enzyme in a time-efficient and cost-efficient manner, such that the enzyme can be reused thereby lowering the overall costs of the process. Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods of recovering lactase from a dairy fraction such as membrane filtration and centrifugation processes.
1 . A method of processing a lactose-containing milk fraction, the method comprising:
(i) contacting the milk fraction with lactase enzyme;
(ii) hydrolyzing the lactose in the milk fraction into lactose hydrolysis by-products;
(iii) separating the lactase enzyme from the lactose hydrolysis by-products; and
(iv) utilizing the separated lactase enzyme for a subsequent lactose hydrolysis step.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the lactase enzyme is separated from the lactose hydrolysis by-products by membrane filtration.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the membrane filtration is ultrafiltration.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the lactase enzyme is separated from the lactose hydrolysis by-products by centrifugation.
5 . A method of preparing a glucose and galactose containing composition from a lactose-containing milk fraction, the method comprising:
(i) contacting the milk fraction with lactase enzyme;
(ii) hydrolyzing the lactose in the milk fraction into lactose hydrolysis by-products;
(iii) isolating a glucose and galactose containing composition;
(iv) isolating the lactase enzyme from the milk fraction; and
(v) utilizing the separated lactase enzyme for a subsequent lactose hydrolysis step.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the lactase enzyme is isolated from the milk fraction by membrane filtration.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the membrane filtration is ultrafiltration.
8 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the lactase enzyme is isolated from the milk fraction by centrifugation.