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Whey—pollution problem and potential utilization
Author(s) -
MARWAHA S. S.,
KENNEDY J. F.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
international journal of food science and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.831
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1365-2621
pISSN - 0950-5423
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2621.1988.tb00586.x
Subject(s) - lactose , ultrafiltration (renal) , whey protein , raw material , biochemical oxygen demand , waste management , business , pollution , environmental science , dairy industry , food science , microbiology and biotechnology , pulp and paper industry , chemistry , chemical oxygen demand , wastewater , environmental engineering , engineering , biology , ecology , organic chemistry , chromatography
Summary The high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD 5 ) of whey poses a major world‐wide disposal and pollution problem for the dairy industry, for which an effective and permanent solution is urgently needed. Biological waste water treatment technologies can assist in the safe disposal of whey or whey permeate within the federal environment specifications, but only at substantial cost. One alternative is use of whey, or whey permeate rich in lactose and protein, in processes in which saleable products contribute wholly or partially to the costs. Production of whey proteins by ultrafiltration, lactose hydrolysis products, and the use of whole whey or whey permeate as a fermentation feedstock are possible options. The present situation is discussed, together with projections for commercial potential, limitations of the biotechnology of whey processing, the end products and nutritional aspects.