We have isolated the colloidal components that are responsible for membrane fouling and have determine how they affect surface morphology. This has lead to the development of improved apple juice pretreatment protocols. A similar analysis could be applied to the optimization of the membrane processing of a wide range of macromolecular solutions in the food or pharmaceutical industry. Facilities Available A wide range of analytical and imaging equipment is available for characterizing macromolecular behaviour in solution and on the surface of porous membranes. Small scale membrane filtration systems can be used to determine the effect of processing parameters on membrane flux.
Facilities are also available for the analysis of fat crystallization behaviour.
We are currently studying the solution behaviour of more proteins and trying to develop a model that can quantitatively predict the flux behaviour of macromolecules by analysing surface morphology using fractal imaging techniques. Industrial Partners Our knowledge of macromolecule solution behaviour can be used to better understand and optimize industrial separation processes currently in use or in the development stage. Industrial partners are also sought for the scale-up and exploitation of novel milk fat fractionation technology. Patents Held Lencki, R.W., Neufeld, R.W., Spinney, T. Microspheres and method of producing same. Method of immobilizing oils, solids or cells in microspheres via the production of an emulsion followed by internal gelation.