GB446967A - Improvements in and relating to the production of casein - Google Patents

Abstract

Casein is extracted from vegetable material such as soya bean by treatment with soda lye, calcium hydroxide, ammonia, organic bases or water and the solution is treated in the anode compartment of a diaphragm cell for precipitation of the casein. The anode may be of graphite, preferably electro-graphite, and the diaphragm of asbestos. A current density less than 1 amp. per sq. dm. is employed. The initial catholyte preferably contains soda lye, calcium hydroxide, ammonia or other substance employed in the extraction. The anode chamber is preferably relatively tall and of narrow cross-section. The precipitated albumen forms a foamy mixture with the liberated oxygen; this rises to the surface and is there freed from a considerable proportion of its liquid content by further electrolytic action. The resulting cathode liquid may be employed for further extraction. The anode liquid after precipitation of the albumen may be treated for isolation of carbohydrates by evaporation or crystallization or may be fermented into alcohol or other products. Amines formed in the anode chamber may be added to the cathode liquid for use in further extraction. When the extract is made with water only, a small amount of alkaline substance in solid, liquid, or gaseous form such as alkali or alkaline earth metal or magnesium hydroxide or carbonate, ammonia or an amine is added before or during electrolysis. The process may be conducted in a continuous and cyclic manner.