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. 2025 Sep 19;12:1630925. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1630925

Table 2.

Strategies to valorize of acid whey.

Source Research Product Method Strain/enzyme Key findings
(10) Acid whey metabolomics Metabolic profile Analytical - Acid whey has a rich metabolic composition
(120) Formulating ranch dressing Formulating ranch dressing by replacing buttermilk with Yogurt Acid Whey (YAW).
No lactic acid
was added (lactic acid is naturally present in YAW)
Food technology - Up to 60% of buttermilk can be replaced by acid whey
(53) GOS synthesis GOS Microbial/enzymatic Cryptococcus laurentii, Aspergillus oryzae Acid whey as substrate for GOS synthesis
(121) prebiotic GOS Prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides production from acid whey Enzymatic β-galactosidases (from Kluyvero-myces lactis and Aspergillus oryzae) and one novel, in-house produced (from Thermothielavioi-des terrestris), Efficient, cost-effective production of valuable prebiotics from acid whey. The maximum GOS yield was 25.7% when using concentrated acid whey with 20% lactose content and the enzyme from T. terrestris.
(31) Production of Polyhydroxybu-tyrate (PHB) by use of Recombinant Escherichia coli LSBJ Polyhydroxybuty-rate (bioplastic) Microbio-logical Recombinant Escherichia coli LSBJ Bioconversion of acid whey (AW) to PHB
(29) β-galactosidase Biocatalysis Enzymatic LAB, Bifidobacterium spp. LAB strains assessed for enzyme activity in acid whey
(6) Fermented beverages based on processing of acid whey. Fermented probiotic beverages
The production process included combining pasteurized acid whey with UHT milk, unsweetenedcondensed milk or skim milk powder-introduced
milk to enrich casein content and obtain a product with
characteristics similar to that of fermented milk drinks.
Microbiolo-gical Lactobacillus
acidophilus LA-5 or Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis
BB-12
Acid whey is a suitable base for functional beverages. L. acidophilus provides more acidity of beverages in comparison with B. animalis.
(12) Functional ingredients for yogurt Acid whey protein concentrate after neutralization by food-grade ammonium hydroxide, and then ultrafiltration and diafiltration. Technolo-gical Whey protein concentrate is used for yogurt making, stable sensory and physicoche-mical properties
(25) GOS GOS from acid whey Enzymatic β-galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae and Kluyveromyces lactis
Trichoderma terrestris
Enzymes from
Aspergillus oryzae and Kluyveromyces lactis,
Trichoderma terrestris have thermostable and acid pH-stable β-galactosidase.
(13) Bioenergy Medium-chain carboxylic acid Microbio-logical Microbial composition Bioconversion of acid whey
(64) Probiotic beverage Whey and pineapple juice drink Microbio-logical Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum Probiotic beverage with good sensory properties
(4) Functional beverage Fermented beverage Microbio-logical LAB Probiotic potential and antioxidant properties
(29) β-galactosidase activity Hydrolysis of acid whey Microbiolo-gical/Enzy-matic LAB strains Acid whey valorization using LAB enzyme potential
(3) Fermented probiotic beverage Fermented probiotic beverage Microbio-logical LAB and yeast Enhanced antimicrobial and antioxidant properties
(23) Functional beverage Beverage based on acid whey Microbio-logical Brettanomyces claussenii Lactose conversion
(9) Review of acid whey benefits Multiple functional foods Review - Acid whey has health potential and industrial uses
(2) Bioactive peptides Functional peptides Microbio-logical Streptococcus thermophilus Biopeptides
(27) β-galactosidase optimization Milk and whey processing Enzymatic β-galactosidase (acid- and cold-tolerant) Enzyme suitable for acidic whey conditions
(49) Whey spirit production Fermented acid whey spirits Microbio-logical/ Distillation Fermenting yeast strains Characterized volatile compounds during distillation stages
(22) Membrane processing Treated acid whey Technolo-gical Electrodialysis and nanofiltration alter whey composition
(119) Mineral removal from acid whey Calcium and lactate extraction Technolo-gical Electrodialysis effective in adjusting mineral content
(7) Chemical conversion 5-HMF and levulinic acid Chemical / Thermoche-mical Optimized synthesis from acid whey and lactose
(47) Exopolysaccharide production in whey Iron-complexing EPS Microbio-logical Lactic acid bacteria LAB produce EPS in acid whey with iron-binding properties
(122) Whey fermentation promoters Genetic regulation insights Microbio-logical New regulatory promoters discovered in acid whey fermentation
(16) Value of acid whey stream Functional ingredients Review Acid whey is becoming more valuable than the main dairy product
(19) Microbial and enzymatic valorization Nutraceuticals: bioactive peptides, prebiotics, exopolysaccharides, organic acids, bacteriocins, isoflavone aglycones; and industrially important enzymes: β-galactosidase, protease, and amylase. Whey enriched with bioactive compounds can be utilized for the functional and nutritional enhancement of foods and the development of novel functional foods with health beneficial effects. Microbial and enzymatic LAB, enzymes Acid whey
enriched with bioactive compounds can be utilized for the functional and nutritional enhancement of foods and the development of novel functional foods with health beneficial effects.
(26) GOS synthesis from whey Galactooligosaccharides Enzymatic lactases from Aspergillus oryzae and Kluyveromyces lactis Both acid and sweet whey are suitable for GOS production
(24) Cosmetic biotechnology Innovative cosmetic product for hair based on lactoserum Technolo-gical Whey based concentrates in cosmetics
(20) Composition analysis Acid whey from Greek yogurt (GAW), acid whey from cottage cheese (CAW), and milk permeate (MP). Analytical - Composition data of coproduct streams: acid whey from Greek yogurt (GAW), acid whey from cottage cheese (CAW), and milk permeate (MP).
(34) Membrane technology applications Dairy coproducts Techno-logical Membrane processes used for treating acid whey
(32) Historical and future outlook Acid whey Review Trends and possibilities for whey valorization
(11) Engineering the optimum pH galactosidase Glycoside hydrolase Engineering Aspergillus oryzae Y138F and Y364F mutants exhibited better hydrolytic ability than lacA in milk lactose hydrolysis.
(28) GOS GOS Enzymatic/microbio-logical Aspergillus oryzae galactosidase, Kluyveromyces marxianus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells Reacted medium without nutrient supplementation (raw GOS) was fermented with Kluyveromyces marxianus cells obtaining GOS of 95% purity containing mostly tri- and tetrasaccharides with total recovery of GOS after 24 h.