Production of Galacto-oligosaccharides From Whey Lactose by -Galactosidase Immobilized on Cotton Cloth

The goal of this project is to develop a novel enzymatic process to produce galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), also known as Bifidus growth factor, from whey permeate or lactose. Specific objectives include: 1) to optimize enzyme immobilization on cotton cloth and other support materials, 2) to evaluate the proposed two-step enzyme reaction for GOS production from whey lactose, 3) to optimize nanofiltration for separation of GOS from lactose, glucose, and galactose, 4) to develop a novel process with integrated enzyme reaction and NF separation of GOS, 5) to produce GOS product samples for further product development and testing, and 6) to develop marketing strategies and business plan for commercialization. The proposed process would produce a high-value product (more than $5/lb) that can be used as a health-promoting food ingredient and dietary supplement from the surplus whey permeate and lactose ($0.18 to $0.4 per lb) currently produced in the dairy industry. The market for GOS is at $200 million per year in Japan alone. The large, potential U.S. and worldwide markets could exceed $1 billion. Thus, a cost-effective enzyme technology to produce GOS from whey lactose should increase the product value and reduce the waste (whey permeate) disposal problem facing the dairy industry.