In dairy processing, effective cleaning of process equipment is essential for efficient plant operation and for the production of safe, quality dairy products. Such cleaning is generally achieved using sodium hydroxide (NaOH), caustic formulated detergents and acid at temperatures of up to 70-80°C. As such, cleaning has a negative impact on the environment. Cleaning has been reported to account for 30% of the energy use in dairy processing (Eide et al., 20031) and is the largest contributor to overall wastewater volume in many plants (Danalewich et al., 19982). Detergents represent the greatest proportion of chemicals used in dairy plants (Wildbrett, 20033) and some of the chemicals used have adverse effects on human and ecosystem health and on the environment (Fryer et al., 20064). Enzymes, which are biodegradable, have been exploited for cleaning in various other sectors, most notably in laundry and automatic dishwasher Contact was established with several dairy co-ops and companies supplying cleaning chemicals to the dairy industry in order to establish details of how CIP is currently undertaken. Eight commercial protease products were evaluated on a laboratory scale by quantitatively assessing their ability to remove a milk fouling deposit, representative of that occurring on heated components, from stainless steel. Based on the results of this study it can be concluded that proteases, and in particular the three commercial products identified, are of potential use for CIP in dairy processing.

While the laboratory-scale studies undertaken are a useful indicator of potential suitability, pilot- and industrial-scale studies are necessary to fully determine actual industrial applicability and confirm economic feasibility. If similar results are observed on these scales in terms of cleaning performance and cost, then enzyme-based cleaning offers several advantages over the currently used CIP procedures. These include reduced environmental impact as the enzymes operate at lower temperatures, resulting in reduced energy consumption, and are biodegradable in contrast to many of the products currently used for cleaning which have adverse effects on human and ecosystem health and on the environment. Enzyme-based cleaning is also more compatible with subsequent wastewater treatment and would create safer working conditions for plant operators. The three commercial proteases assessed in the study are already produced and sold in bulk by global enzyme manufacturers and could be readily incorporated in CIP operations if found to be suitable for this application. Based on the results of the laboratory-scale studies undertaken, three commercial protease products were found to be of potential use for CIP operations in the dairy processing industry on the basis of their cleaning performance, ease of removal/inactivation after use and initial cost analysis.

It is noteworthy, however, that while these laboratory-scale studies are a useful indicator of potential suitability, pilot- and industrialscale studies are necessary to confirm actual industrial suitability as well as economic feasibility. The three commercial protease products are currently produced and sold in bulk industrial quantities by global enzyme manufacturers and therefore could be readily obtained in sufficient quantities for such studies. The performance and cost of enzyme-based cleaning were found to be comparable to those of the currently used CIP procedures when investigated on a laboratory scale. If similar results are observed on an industrial scale then enzyme-based cleaning offers several advantages over the currently used CIP procedures.

Go back to top of page Top

Go back to top of page Top

Please Read Carefully Before Downloading

It is important for the EPA and the Environmental Research Community to know that the data and information products we distribute are useful to the user community we support. One way of doing this is by tracking the use of data and information in publications. Parts of or all of the datasets, data, or digital information products available here can be freely downloaded for further use in scientific applications under the condition that the source will be properly quoted in published papers, journals, websites, presentations, books, etc. Whenever possible the EPA strongly urge you to cite the use of these data, information, and web resources in the reference section of your publications. For convenience an automatically generated citation is available below which can be used immediately for citation purposes.

EPA SAFER Data Download Disclaimer: Before downloading any of the data or information objects below you are kindly asked to read the data download disclaimer Read Disclaimer (Opens in New Window). Downloading data or information objects from SAFER-Data indicates an acceptance of the data download disclaimer and the conditions outlined within it.

Suggested Citation Information

The information supplied in the table below should be provided with all citations to this electronic resource. You are requested to format each of the fields below as required by the specific bibliographical style you are using.

An example of this citation in proper usage:

Boyce, A. Walsh, G.   "Minimisation of Hazardous Waste Generated by Cleaning-in-Place Operations in the Dairy Processing Industry". Associated datasets and digitial information objects connected to this resource are available at: Secure Archive For Environmental Research Data (SAFER) managed by Environmental Protection Agency Ireland https://eparesearch.epa.ie/safer/resource?id=274999d7-b53f-102d-af1a-60cde515b757 (Last Accessed: 2025-03-19)

Permalink

Go back to top of page Top

SAFER-Data Display URL	https://eparesearch.epa.ie/safer/iso19115/display?isoID=170
Resource Keywords	dairy processing chemicals industry milk proteases
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Code	2007-FS-ET-2-M5
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Theme	Environment and Health
Resource Availability:	Public-Open
Limitations on the use of this Resource	The citation generated below should be used when this work is referenced or used in any further publication, report, presentation, website, or demonstration.
Number of Attached Files (Publicly and Openly Available for Download):	2
Project Start Date	Monday 3rd September 2007 (03-09-2007)
Earliest Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Monday 3rd September 2007 (03-09-2007)
Most Recent Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Monday 3rd May 2010 (03-05-2010)
Published on SAFER	Thursday 20th May 2010 (20-05-2010)
Date of Last Edit	Thursday 20th May 2010 at 10:06:22 (20-05-2010)
Datasets or Files Updated On	Thursday 20th May 2010 at 10:06:22 (20-05-2010)

Go back to top of page Top

Description of Geographical Characteristics of This Project or Dataset
This project was carried out in a laboratory. There are no geographical descriptions related to the analysis carried out.

Go back to top of page Top

In this section some supplementary information about this resource is outlined. Lineage information helps us to understand why this project was carried out, what policy or research requirements did it fulfil, etc. Lineage is important in understanding the rationale behind the carrying out of a project or the collection of a specific dataset etc. Links to web sites, applications, papers, etc are outlined to provide you with additional information or supplementary reading about the project or dataset

Any links supplied by the resource owner are stored such that they will open in a new window. Following such a link may lead to a 3rd party website over which EPA has no control in regards to contents or suitability.

Go back to top of page Top

The following is a list of projects, datasets, and resources on SAFER-Data from which users downloaded attachments from soon after downloading attachments from this resource Minimisation of Hazardous Waste Generated by Cleaning-in-Place Operations in the Dairy Processing Industry. You can view the full description for projects, datasets, and resources by using the links supplied.

• Preparation of Polymer-Based Membranes for Dehydration of Ethanol by Pervaporation View Full Metadata Description
• The effects of chromium VI on behaviour and on gene expression on the nematode Steinernema feltiae. View Full Metadata Description
• Inventories of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Ireland 1990 and 1995-2006 View Full Metadata Description
• Pilot Programme for Establishing a Regional Eco-Business Recognition Mark View Full Metadata Description
• Evaluating the Role of the City and County Development Boards in Promoting Public Participation in Local Sustainable Development View Full Metadata Description

Go back to top of page Top