Permeate from cheese whey ultrafiltration is a source of milk oligosaccharides

Abstract

Previously undescribed oligosaccharides in bovine cheese whey permeate were characterized by a combination of nanoelectrospray Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance (nESI-FTICR) mass spectrometry and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (MALDI-FTICR) mass spectrometry. Oligosaccharide composition was elucidated by collision-induced dissociation within the ICR cell. In addition to sialyllactose (the most abundant oligosaccharide in bovine colostrum), we identified 14 other oligosaccharides, half of which have the same composition of human milk oligosaccharides. These oligosaccharides could potentially be used as additives in infant formula and products for the pharmaceutical industry. Because whey permeate is a by-product from the production of whey protein concentrate (WPC) and is readily available, it is an attractive source of oligosaccharides for potential application in human nutrition.

Figures

Fig. 1

Collision-induced dissociation spectrum of peak 632 m/z. Nano-electrospray FTICR instrument was used in negative ion detection mode. The loss of one hexose followed by the loss of another hexose and water yielded an N-acetyl-neuraminic acid (m/z 290). This composition corresponds to sialyllactose (2 Hex+1 NeuAc).

Fig. 2

Mass spectrum of the whey fraction collected with a 90:10 deionized water-acetonitrile solution from solid-phase medium. The spectrum was recorded using a nESI-FTICR instrument in negative ion-detection mode.

Fig. 3

Mass spectrum of the whey fraction collected using an 80:20 deionized water-acetonitrile solution from solid-phase medium. The spectrum was recorded using a MALDI-FTICR instrument in positive ion-detection mode.

Fig. 4

Mass spectrum of the whey fraction collected using a 60:40 deionized water-acetonitrile solution containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid from solid-phase medium. The spectrum was recorded using a nanoESI-FTICR instrument in negative ion-detection mode.