whetlac, transformation of the residual whey permeate from the cheese manufacture:lactic acid production.

Whey is the major world-wide disposal and pollution problem for the cheese making companies. The disposal of this waste demands simple and economical solutions.

To overcome this problem, a better alternative is subjecting whey to processes through with value added products can be manufactured, and which may contribute wholly to the disposal costs. Thus the present project proposes a new process technology capable of:

The general aim of this proposal is to design a process for the lactic acid production from deproteinized whey.

New immobilisation techniques will be applied in fermentation process with Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy that will be set as analytical tool to control the process in a quantitative way, at real time. Green chemistry strategies will be used for the simultaneous reaction and extraction of lactic acid in supercritical fluids technology in order to get a whole sustainable and environmental friendly process.

	Whetlac Transformation of the residual whey permeate from the cheese manufacture: lactic acid production.
Abstract:
	Whey is the major world-wide disposal and pollution problem for the cheese making companies. The disposal of this waste demands simple and economical solutions. To overcome this problem, a better alternative is subjecting whey to processes through with value added products can be manufactured, and which may contribute wholly to the disposal costs. Thus the present project proposes a new process technology capable of: Use the 100% of the whey produced in the cheese making companies. Implement a technological process to obtain a high added by-product (lactic acid) able to make the whole process profitable. The general aim of this proposal is to design a process for the lactic acid production from deproteinized whey. New immobilisation techniques will be applied in fermentation process with Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy that will be set as analytical tool to control the process in a quantitative way, at real time. Green chemistry strategies will be used for the simultaneous reaction and extraction of lactic acid in supercritical fluids technology in order to get a whole sustainable and environmental friendly process. The development of the project will reach the following results: The solution for the profitability management of the whey as waste product. The diversification of the whey product market avoiding strong whey prices fluctuations. Production of a new high added vale product (lactic acid) at low cost from whey. This project requires the use of advanced facilities and the simultaneous collaboration of experts in biotechnology, supercritical technology and processes developers. Three RTD performers has been selected to ensure the achievement of these objectives. At the end of the project relevant information required for the industrial application and exploitation of the solution will be obtained.

The solution for the profitability management of the whey as waste product.

The diversification of the whey product market avoiding strong whey prices fluctuations.

Production of a new high added vale product (lactic acid) at low cost from whey.

This project requires the use of advanced facilities and the simultaneous collaboration of experts in biotechnology, supercritical technology and processes developers. Three RTD performers has been selected to ensure the achievement of these objectives.

At the end of the project relevant information required for the industrial application and exploitation of the solution will be obtained.