The present invention relates to a bioactive sweet whey protein concentrate or composition for increasing e.g. cognitive functions particularly in young mammals such as pre-term or term infants, toddlers, children or young adults. The present invention further disclose a new concept for large-scale industrial production method of bioactive whey protein concentrates or compositions by use of mild heat treatment and pressure driven membrane separation.

A method for fractionating whey proteins, including: preparing a solution including a first whey protein and a second whey protein and separating the first whey protein and the second whey protein with a membrane; wherein the first whey protein forms a complex with at least one of carbonate ion, hydrogen carbonate ion, a light metal ion, and a transition metal ion; and the second whey protein satisfies at least one of the following (1) and (2): (1) the second whey protein forms no complex with any of the carbonate ion and the hydrogen carbonate ion; (2) the second whey protein forms no complex with any of the light metal ions and the transition metal ions.

A low-mineral quark matrix is suggested, which is obtainable by (a) subjecting raw milk to heat treatment, separating the cream, (b) subjecting the skimmed milk such obtained to an ultrafiltration step and/or a reverse osmosis step, producing a retentate R1, which represents a dairy protein concentrate, and a permeate P1, (c) subjecting the permeate P1 to an electrodialysis step, producing a salt-depleted diluate D1, (d) combining the diluate D1 with the retentate R1, (e) subjecting the combination product such obtained to heat treatment until denaturation sets in, (f) fermenting the denaturation product such obtained by the addition of starter cultures and rennet, and (g) adjusting or standardising the fermentation product such obtained to defined dry matter and protein contents.

A quark matrix having improved taste characteristics is suggested, which is obtainable by (a) subjecting raw milk to heat treatment, separating the cream, (b) subjecting the skimmed milk such obtained to a microfiltration step, obtaining a first retentate R1, which represents a first dairy protein concentrate, and a first permeate P1, (c) subjecting the permeate P1 to an ultrafiltration step and/or a reverse osmosis step, obtaining a second retentate R2, which represents a second dairy protein concentrate, and a second permeate P2, (d) subjecting the permeate P2 to an electrodialysis step, obtaining a salt-depleted diluate D1, (e) combining the diluate D1 with the retentate R1, (f) subjecting the combination product such obtained to heat treatment until denaturation sets in, (g) fermenting the denaturation product such obtained by adding starter cultures and rennet, and (h) adjusting the fermentation product such obtained to defined dry matter and protein contents.

A dairy product produced by a method comprising steps of: a) passing skim milk through an ultrafiltration membrane to produce an ultrafiltration permeate; and b) combining one part of the ultrafiltration permeate with whole milk; wherein the dairy product is low in protein and retains total solids content similar to a cow's milk.

The present invention provides a method of producing a liquid dairy concentrate, the method comprising: mixing cream and micro-filtered milk to form a liquid dairy ingredient, wherein the liquid dairy ingredient has a fat content of at least 30 wt % and a fat to protein ratio of from 5:1 to 15:1 by weight; concentrating the liquid dairy ingredient by ultrafiltration and, optionally, diafiltration to obtain a concentrated liquid dairy ingredient as a retentate; adding sucrose and/or trisodium citrate to form a modified retentate; adding one or more further ingredients to the modified retentate to form a liquid dairy concentrate; cooling the liquid dairy concentrate to at most 8? C.; filling the cooled liquid dairy concentrate into a beverage container; and sealing and retorting the liquid dairy concentrate in the beverage container.

The invention relates to a process for the production of well-preserving lactose-free and low-lactose milk products. The process of the invention is characterized by separating the sugars and proteins in a raw material, thermally treating them in such a manner that the plasmin enzyme system and other proteolytic enzymes are inactivated, and combining the fractions and other preparation agents into a drink with a required composition and properties.

The invention relates to a whey protein product having a ratio of whey protein to casein in the range from about 25:75 to about less than 50:50, a total protein content of at least 20% on dry matter basis, and a protein content of about 2.5 to about 8% by weight, based on the weight of the product. The product has a favourable amino acid composition and is especially suitable for athletes. The invention also relates to a method for producing a whey protein product, using microfiltration and ultrafiltration. The whey protein product is composed of the ultrafiltration retentate and a casein-containing material at a ratio of whey protein to casein of about 20:80 to about less than 50:50 and a total protein content of at least about 20% on dry matter basis.

A process for the coupled production of sweet whey and lactic acid from acid whey is suggested, comprising the following steps: (a) providing acid whey having a lactic acid content of about 0.1 to about 1% by weight; (b) nanofiltration of the acid whey, obtaining a first permeate P1 and a first retentate R1; (c) optionally, redilution of the first retentate R1 with water to reconstitute the initial dry matter content, and preparation of the second nanofiltration step; (d) nanofiltration or nano-diafiltration of the retentate R1, obtaining a second permeate P2 and sweet whey as a second retentate R2; (e) combining the two permeates P1 and P2 and subjecting the mixture to reverse osmosis, obtaining a third permeate P3 which, substantially, only contains water, and a concentrate of lactic acid as a third retentate R3.

Pressurized non-dairy compositions that can be expelled from a pressurized container, typically through an actuator, into a beverage are described. Upon combining the non-dairy composition with the beverage, a portion of the non-dairy composition provides a stable foam on top of the beverage (foaming) and a portion of the non-dairy composition is mixed into and remains in the beverage (creaming).