Abstract
Flux, bacteria reduction and partition of the major milk components into permeate and retentate streams during microfiltration (MF) of milk were studied using two modes of MF: conventional and co-current permeate flow (CPF). There was no significant difference (
P ⩽ 0.05) in concentration of casein, whey proteins, non-protein nitrogen and lactose between the permeate and retentate in either the CPF mode or the conventional mode of MF. The fat content of the microfiltered milk averaged 0.05%, and a bacterial reduction of 4–5 log cycles (99.84–99.90%) was obtained. With 1% fat milk, average flux over a 10X concentration factor was 900 1/m
2 per hour (LMH) in the CPF mode, and 400 LMH in the conventional MF mode.