Abstract
This study was performed to obtain a large quantity of $\alpha$-lactalbumin ($\alpha$-LA) from milk by an improved separation and purification method. Functional properties-solubility viscosity, emulsifying activity, foamability surface hydrophobicity and gelation-of the purified $\alpha$-LA were investigated, $\alpha$-LA was purified in a large quantity by DEAE-Sephacel chromatography using 0.15M NaCl in 20mM Tris-HCl buffer(pH 7.2), as an eluent. The yield and purity of the purified $\alpha$-LA were 23.6%, 92.5%, respect-ively. The solubility viscosity and emulsifying activity of the purified $\alpha$-LA were 92.2$\pm$2% 3.46$\pm$0.19 cP and 345$\pm$5.0m^2$-/g respecively. The foamability of $\alpha$ -LA was 762 after 5min whipping which was lower than that of WPC and showed decreasing tendency with whipping time. The relative surface hydrophobicity of the $\alpha$-LA was formed when a 10% $\alpha$-LA solution containing 100mM NaCl and 20 mM $CaCl_2$ was heated at 92$^{\circ}C$for 40min. The $\alpha$-LA gel showed 31.5 as hardness and showed low springiness and cohesiveness.