Surfactants or Lipase? Approaches to Cleaning Fat from Dairy Membranes

High melting-point fatty acids present in dairy milk fat can be challenging to remove using conventional cleaning-in-place (CIP) programs.

At the World Dairy Summit Breakfast Symposium, IXOM Membrane Specialist Leighton Butler will share insights into two approaches commonly used to address membrane fat fouling: surfactants and lipase enzymes.

The session will examine how each option works, where they can deliver results, and some of the practical considerations processors should understand before adopting them.

Why Is Fat So Difficult to Remove?

Membrane cleaning presents a unique challenge. Unlike other areas of a processing plant, membrane CIP programs are often limited in operating temperature. With less opportunity to rely on heat alone, removing accumulated fats requires cleaning chemistry to do more of the work.

Over time, even systems processing skim products can experience fat build-up that impacts membrane performance. Understanding the available cleaning options, and when to use them, can help processors make more informed decisions about their membrane cleaning programs.

Surfactants and Lipase: Two Different Approaches

Leighton's presentation will explore the strengths and limitations of both surfactants and lipase enzymes.

Attendees will gain practical insight into:

• How surfactants interact with fats through their hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties
• The different types of surfactants used to clean dairy membranes
• How lipase enzymes break down triglycerides into fatty acids
• The advantages and potential drawbacks of each approach
• Factors to consider when selecting the most suitable option for a particular application

The session is intended to provide a balanced view of both technologies, helping dairy processors better understand the opportunities and trade-offs associated with each.

Understanding Lipase Deactivation

An important part of the discussion will focus on lipase deactivation.

Lipase enzymes can be highly effective when used correctly. However, if they are not fully deactivated after cleaning, residual enzyme activity can create product quality issues, including off-flavours and unwanted taints.

Drawing on extensive industry testing, Leighton will discuss the effectiveness of different deactivation methods, including both thermal and chemical approaches, and share insights into where these methods have been successful and where challenges remain.

Insights from Industry Testing

The symposium will also look at the testing that has been carried out around both surfactants and lipase enzymes.

Attendees will hear about:

• What testing options are currently available for surfactant residue detection
• The capabilities and limitations of available testing equipment
• New technologies being developed to detect lipase activity

These insights can help processors better evaluate cleaning outcomes and understand the tools available to support decision-making.

Practical Knowledge You Can Take Back to Your Plant

This session is designed for dairy professionals looking to expand their understanding of membrane cleaning and fat removal strategies.

Along with technical insights and case studies, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, discuss challenges with industry peers, and gain access to specialist knowledge that can be applied within their own operations.

By understanding the pros and cons of surfactants and lipase enzymes, the testing available to support their use, and the latest developments in monitoring and deactivation, participants will be better equipped to determine what is right for their facility.

Join Us at the World Dairy Summit

If you're responsible for membrane performance, cleaning optimisation or plant operations, this breakfast symposium offers an opportunity to hear first-hand insights from one of the industry's membrane specialists.

Join Leighton Butler and the IXOM team at the World Dairy Summit, and take away practical knowledge to help make more informed decisions about membrane cleaning in your operation.

To attend the symposium, please first register to attend the World Dairy Summit at *Registration Form, which will give you the ability to sign-up for Leighton's symposium.