Abstract
The aim of this study is to isolate phytosterol compounds from orange juice using ultrafiltration (UF) flat sheet membranes (supplied by Alfa Laval) with molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) values of 10 kDa fabricated from regenerated cellulose, polyethersulphone and fluoropolymer. A cross-flow filtration rig operated at a transmembrane pressure (TMP) of 0.5–2 bar, and a cross-flow velocity (CFV) of 0.5–1.5 m s−1. Membrane rejection towards total phytosterols, proteins, sugars were determined along with antioxidant activity. The regenerated cellulose membrane displayed the highest permeate flux (a pseudo steady-state value of 22 L m−2 h−1), with a higher fouling index (75%) and a good separation efficiency of phytosterols (32% rejection towards phytosterols) from orange juice. Although the yield of phytosterols was relatively low (40 mg/L), there is a great potential to optimise the filtration process to produce commercially relevant amount of phytosterols. All membranes investigated displayed cleaning efficiencies of >95%.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 10-21 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Food and Bioproducts Processing |
| Volume | 113 |
| Early online date | 20 Sept 2018 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2019 |
Funding
We wish to thank Professor Frank Lipnizki, University of Lund, for arranging for the donation of the membranes used in this study through Alfa Laval , Denmark. The financial support provided by the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) is gratefully acknowledged.
Keywords
- Cleaning
- Fouling
- Nutraceuticals
- Orange juice
- Phytosterols
- Ultrafiltration
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biotechnology
- Food Science
- Biochemistry
- General Chemical Engineering