Apparatus and method for separation of milk and milk products, e.g.,
involving sequential separation of milk, clostrum, and whey components by
cross-flow filtration. The apparatus and method in a preferred aspect
employ cross-flow filtration, chromatography and fermentation to separate
and fully utilize the components of milk, clostrum, and whey to generate
numerous individual components, minimize waste, lower adverse
environmental issues and provide enhanced economic benefits to dairy
producers. A wide variety of consumer and nutraceutical products can be
produced from the fractions and/or sub-fractions of milk products obtained
from such separation. The invention further contemplates a methodology for
selecting optimum membrane, device, and operating conditions to achieve a
desired separation.
