2024 AIChE Annual Meeting
(176l) Flow-through Ion Exchange Chromatography As an Alternative Approach to Bentonite Treatment for Protein Removal in White Wine Stabilization
In white wine, proteins emerge as critical components that pose a challenge during storage due to their tendency to induce haze formation, impacting clarity and quality. Protein fining is commonly achieved through bentonite slurry additions, resulting in significant wine loss (3-10%). These losses translate to approximately 15,000 MG per year of upstream water use and additional energy and material inputs for grapevine cultivation. Moreover, bentonite use can lead to suboptimal working conditions due to dust generation and the need for downstream processing to remove remaining solids. Developing alternatives to protein removal in a flow-through process can revolutionize the wine industry. While ion exchange chromatography has been explored conceptually, a flow-through process has not been investigated. This study will use Macro-PrepTM High S resin for a model wine. The effectiveness of flow-through fixed bed reactors will be assessed through breakthrough curves, measuring protein concentration in the effluent stream over time using the Bradford Assay and UV-VIS spectrometer. Initial experimental trials have yielded promising results, demonstrating the feasibility of achieving a stable model wine. Further investigations with flow rates varying between 2-6 mL/min and resin slurry (100 mg dry resin/mL) volumes varying between 2-5 mL will be examined to optimize the efficiency of the protein removal process in the flow-through ion exchange chromatography.