A forward osmosis system is disclosed which use a polymer switchable between a neutral form and an ionized form. The switchable polymer has a higher osmotic pressure at the ionized form than the neutral form, the ratio between the former and the latter is ≥2. There is also disclosed a method for treating the polymer such that the ratio is improved. Use of polymers for forward osmosis is also disclosed.

A system for drying a wet lactose product stream includes a disperser configured to disperse agglomerated lactose particulates in a wet lactose stream into a dispersed wet lactose stream. A back-mixed partial drying zone is configured to at least partially dry the dispersed wet lactose stream by recirculating a partially dried lactose stream with the dispersed wet lactose stream. A plug-flow secondary drying zone is configured to dry the partially dried lactose stream to generate a substantially dried lactose stream.

A system for drying a wet lactose product stream includes a disperser configured to disperse agglomerated lactose particulates in a wet lactose stream into a dispersed wet lactose stream. A back-mixed partial drying zone is configured to at least partially dry the dispersed wet lactose stream by recirculating a partially dried lactose stream with the dispersed wet lactose stream. A plug-flow secondary drying zone is configured to dry the partially dried lactose stream to generate a substantially dried lactose stream.

A method used for concentration of fluid milk by renewable energy (RE). RE used in the present invention is sole solar energy (SE) at room temperature (25 C.-27 C.). A device of two glass Petri dishes of same size is arranged as upper and lower plates. A volume of 60 ml of pasteurized bovine or camel milk is put in the upper plate and 60 ml of tap water in the lower plate. The device is placed on the bench beside window to be exposed to sunlight, but not to direct sunrays, at room temperature. After about 30 mins water droplets started to appear on the lower face of the upper plate and increased in size with time. With continuous collection of water droplets for 24 hours, 50% of water is removed i.e. giving 50% concentration of milk; after 48 hours the concentration is 16.67%.

A method used for concentration of fluid milk by renewable energy (RE). RE used in the present invention is sole solar energy (SE) at room temperature (25 C.-27 C.). A device of two glass Petri dishes of same size is arranged as upper and lower plates. A volume of 60 ml of pasteurized bovine or camel milk is put in the upper plate and 60 ml of tap water in the lower plate. The device is placed on the bench beside window to be exposed to sunlight, but not to direct sunrays, at room temperature. After about 30 mins water droplets started to appear on the lower face of the upper plate and increased in size with time. With continuous collection of water droplets for 24 hours, 50% of water is removed i.e. giving 50% concentration of milk; after 48 hours the concentration is 16.67%.

A method for preparing a modified whey protein concentrate (WPC) or whey protein isolate (WPI) is described. It involves (a) providing an aqueous WPC or WPI solution having a protein concentration of 15-50% (w/v), at a pH of 4.7-8.5; (b) heat treating the solution to more than 50 DEG C, for a time that allows protein denaturation to occur the heat treating comprising heating the solution while under conditions of turbulent flow. At the end of the heat treatment, the heat treated material may be promptly transferred to a drier or to be mixed with other ingredients. The heat-treated WPC or WPI is not subjected to a mechanical shear process prior to the transfer other than where liquid is converted into droplets to facilitate drying. The modified WPC is useful in the manufacture of food and drinks where a high protein content is desired without undesirable changes in texture.

A method for preparing a modified whey protein concentrate (WPC) or whey protein isolate (WPI) is described. It involves (a) providing an aqueous WPC or WPI solution having a protein concentration of 15-50% (w/v), at a pH of 4.7-8.5; (b) heat treating the solution to more than 50 DEG C, for a time that allows protein denaturation to occur the heat treating comprising heating the solution while under conditions of turbulent flow. At the end of the heat treatment, the heat treated material may be promptly transferred to a drier or to be mixed with other ingredients. The heat-treated WPC or WPI is not subjected to a mechanical shear process prior to the transfer other than where liquid is converted into droplets to facilitate drying. The modified WPC is useful in the manufacture of food and drinks where a high protein content is desired without undesirable changes in texture.

The present invention relates to a method of producing a liquid dairy concentrate, the method comprising: providing a liquid dairy ingredient having a fat content of at least 35 wt %; concentrating the liquid dairy ingredient by ultrafiltration and/or diafiltration to obtain a concentrated liquid dairy ingredient as the retentate; adding sucrose and/or trisodium citrate to form a modified retentate; blending the modified retentate with one or more further ingredients; and homogenising the blend to form a liquid dairy concentrate, wherein, during the step of blending the modified retentate with said one or more further ingredients, the modified retentate is at a temperature of at least 60 C.

The present invention relates to a method of producing a liquid dairy concentrate, the method comprising: providing a liquid dairy ingredient having a fat content of at least 35 wt %; concentrating the liquid dairy ingredient by ultrafiltration and/or diafiltration to obtain a concentrated liquid dairy ingredient as the retentate; adding sucrose and/or trisodium citrate to form a modified retentate; blending the modified retentate with one or more further ingredients; and homogenising the blend to form a liquid dairy concentrate, wherein, during the step of blending the modified retentate with said one or more further ingredients, the modified retentate is at a temperature of at least 60 C.

Exosome purification methods involve use of a whey composition as an exosome source. Exosomes are isolated by subjecting the whey composition to a first ultrafiltration, which yields a first permeate and a first retentate. The first retentate may then be subjected to a second ultrafiltration, yielding a second permeate and a second retentate. During the second ultrafiltration, the first retentate may be treated with carbon dioxide. The second retentate may then be subjected to a third ultrafiltration, yielding a third permeate and a third retentate. The third permeate may then be optionally dried to yield an exosome powder.