LARGE-SCALE PRODUCTION OF A HYPOALLERGENIC PREPARATION OF F(AB')(2) FRAGMENTS FROM BOVINE COLOSTRUM

A method for the production of bovine colostral F(ab')(2) fragments at pilot-plant scale was developed. Optimum yield of immunoglobulins in colostral whey was obtained after rennet treatment of first milking co lostrum. Pepsin digestion was carried out directly on the colostral wh ey at pH 3.8 for 4 h, which led to the complete digestion of immunoglo bulins into F(ab')(2) fragments. Elimination of beta-lactoglobulin, th e main immunogenic protein, was achieved by anion exchange on Duolite A560 at pH 6.0. The preparation was diafiltered with a 5000 Da membran e and the retentate spray-dried. The powder obtained contained approxi mately 34% F(ab')(2) fragments, with an antibody activity three times higher than the initial colostrum.