DEMINERALIZATION OF PROTEIN HYDROLYSATES FROM ENZYMATIC-HYDROLYSIS OFLEATHER SHAVINGS USING MEMBRANE DIAFILTRATION

Pressure-driven membrane separations operated in the diafiltration mod e appear promising as an efficient demineralization method of waste pr otein hydrolysates from leather production. The conclusion drawn from our experimental results is that nanofiltration membranes should be us ed rather then ultrafiltration ones as they show complete passage of t he salts with high retention of the protein hydrolysates. In addition to the classical membrane separation operating parameters, which are c rossflow fluid velocity, transmembrane pressure difference, and temper ature, the required residual salt concentration as well as acceptable protein losses affect the effectiveness of the process.