OPTIMAL SEPARATION OF JOJOBA PROTEIN USING MEMBRANE PROCESSES

The efficiency of a pilot-scale membrane system for purifying and conc entrating jojoba protein was estimated. In this system, a jojoba extra ct was first clarified with a microfiltration membrane. The clarified extract was diafiltrated and the protein was purified with an ultrafil tration membrane. Then the protein solution was concentrated with the ultrafiltration membrane. Permeate flux during microfiltration was ess entially independent of solids concentration in the feed, in contrast with the permeate flux during ultrafiltration which was a function of protein concentration. Based on these results, a mathematical model wh ich describes the batchwise concentration process with ultrafiltration membranes was developed. Using this model, the combination of batchwi se concentration with diafiltration was optimized, and an industrial-s cale process was designed. The effect of ethylenediaminetetraacetic ac id (EDTA) on the performance of the membrane system was also investiga ted. The addition of EDTA increased the concentration of protein in th e extract and improved the recovery of protein in the final products. The quality of the final product (color and solubility) was also impro ved. However, EDTA decreased permeate flux during ultrafiltration.