Desalination of Human Milk Oligosaccharides

【Project Overview】

This project aims to provide a novel solution for the desalination and purification of Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO) reaction liquor by adopting the internationally advanced electrodialysis technology from Create. This reaction liquor has a complex composition, containing both high-value target oligosaccharides (e.g., trisaccharides, disaccharides) and a substantial amount of diverse inorganic salt ions (e.g., potassium, sodium, calcium, ammonium) that require complete removal. Conventional desalination methods struggle to achieve deep, efficient desalination while simultaneously ensuring a high recovery rate of the oligosaccharides.

Create leverages the selective electromigration characteristics of electrodialysis technology to precisely reduce the electrical conductivity of the feed solution from an initial 10-20 mS/cm to below 300 µS/cm, far exceeding the desalination limits of traditional processes. The entire operation requires no chemical additives and proceeds under mild conditions, strictly complying with the highest hygiene and safety standards in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

【Project Highlights】

• Unique "Electro-Driven" Selective Desalination Mechanism
  High Efficiency & Precision: Unlike traditional nanofiltration which relies on molecular sieving, Create's electrodialysis utilizes electrical field force to directly drive charged salt ions directionally through ion-selective membranes, while neutral, larger oligosaccharide molecules are retained in the feed compartment. This powerful field ensures thorough desalination, achieving the stringent requirement of 300 µS/cm.
• Exceptional Product Protection & Near-100% Recovery rate
  The process operates at ambient temperature and pressure, involves no phase change or intense mechanical shear, making it particularly suitable for the heat-sensitive HMOs and ensuring their natural structure remains intact.
• Outstanding Hygienic Design & Compliance
  NSF-Certified Membrane Stack: The core ion-exchange membranes hold NSF certification for pharmaceutical/food hygiene, ensuring safety from the material source and meeting the most stringent global regulatory requirements. Comprehensive Extractables Documentation: Provides reports on membrane material compatibility and non-leachability under these specific process conditions, supplying critical evidence for pharmaceutical/functional food applications.