Isolation and purification of bovine N‐glycans from whey protein concentrate (WPC 70)

Abstract

N‐glycans present in milk glycoproteins (e.g. lactoferrin and immunoglobulin G) can provide infants with nutritional and protective effects similar to breast milk. In this study, we enriched N‐glycoproteins from WPC 70 using ultrafiltration and anion exchange chromatography on DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow column, with N‐glycan content and N‐glycoprotein purity as evaluation indicators. The results showed that changing feed flow rate and molecular weight cut‐off was more effective to improve ultrafiltration separation than changing feed concentration. When using a 100 kDa ultrafiltration membrane with a feed flow rate of 10 rpm and a feed concentration of 10 mg/mL, N‐glycan content could be increased by 200%. However, anion exchange chromatography was more efficient for purification, increasing N‐glycan content by 700%. This study provided a reliable method for N‐glycan enrichment and a scientific basis for further research and potential application of N‐glycans in infant formula and whey products.