Processing
Our lab develops membrane-based processing strategies to isolate and enrich valuable dairy components while improving sustainability and utilization of whey streams and dairy co-products.
Research areas include:
・Microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration systems
・Bioactive enrichment strategies
・Processing optimization
・Heat-induced alteration
・Scale-up and pilot processing
・Sustainable dairy manufacturing
Characterization
Our research focuses on the nutritional and functional properties of dairy-derived bioactives, including phospholipids, glycoproteins, and peptides, utilizing omics approaches in combination with analytical techniques such as HPLC and gel electrophoresis.
Application for Healthy Aging
Our work has applications in bone, cardiovascular, and cognitive health, as well as in promoting healthy aging.
We are developing next-generation dairy-probiotic systems designed to enhance probiotic survival and gastrointestinal persistence through interactions between dairy glycoproteins and beneficial microbes.
Our laboratory translates discoveries in dairy bioactives into functional food applications and clinical research, with a focus on:
・Gut-bone axis interactions
・Hypertension
・Bone health and osteoporosis
・Choline nutrition
Sustainable Dairy Innovation & Circular Bioeconomy
Our lab focuses on developing sustainable strategies to create value from dairy coproducts through advanced separation technologies and innovative ingredient applications within a circular bioeconomy framework, with a focus on:
・Value-added utilization of dairy coproducts
・Membrane-enabled separation technologies
・Sustainable ingredient development
・Circular bioeconomy applications
・Dairy stream valorization
・Bioplastic production from dairy coproducts
Current Research Programs
Heat-Induced Alterations in Dairy Systems
We study how thermal processing alters milk proteins and MFGM structures and how these changes impact:
・Bioactivity
・Oxidation
・Functional properties
・Fractionation efficiency
・Ingredient performance
Sustainable Dairy Bioprocessing
Development of membrane-based recovery systems for value-added compounds and sustainable bioplastic production from dairy streams.
WPPC as a Dietary Source of Choline
Clinical and functional food studies evaluating WPPC as a bioavailable dietary source of choline in aging populations.
Collaboration with the Bolling Lab.
Dairy Bioactives for Bone Health
Studies investigating the effects of WPPC-derived fractions on skeletal development, bone density, and gut microbiome interactions.
Collaboration with the Pierre Lab, Meyer Lab, and Weaver Lab.
Bioactive Peptide-Enriched Dairy Foods
Development of peptide-enriched dairy products targeting hypertension and cardiovascular health.
Collaboration with the Bolling Lab and the Center for Dairy Research (CDR).
Dairy-Probiotic Complexes
Engineering glycoprotein-rich dairy systems to enhance probiotic persistence and functionality.
Collaboration with the van Pijkeren Lab.
Membrane-Based Recovery of Polyhydroxybutyrate from Delactosed Whey Permeate: Integrating Techno-Economic Analysis for Sustainable Bioplastic Production
Development of membrane-based approaches for recovery of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) from dairy coproduct streams and evaluation of economic feasibility for sustainable bioplastic production.
Collaboration with the Majumder Lab and the Nicholson Lab.
Industry & Research Partners
