Membrane-Based Decolourisation and Purification of Starch Hydrolysates: A Systematic UF-NF Screening Study

Membrane-based processes offer promising sustainable alternatives for the decolourisation and purification of starch hydrolysates, yet membrane selection and operating conditions remain the most critical challenges. This study systematically evaluates the performance of polymeric ultrafiltration (UF) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes for starch hydrolysate syrup treatment. Experiments were conducted in a lab-scale cross-flow filtration system using five UF and three NF flat-sheet polymeric membranes under varying temperatures, transmembrane pressures, and feed concentrations. Separation performance was assessed through colour removal, sugar recovery, permeate flux, and alongside indicators of fouling behaviour. UF membranes with molecular weight cut-offs of 100, 70, and 5 kDa exhibited the most favourable performance at 60 °C and 8 bar, achieving partial colour removal (18-32%) with high permeate fluxes (84-130 kg·m^-2·h^-1) and limited sugar losses (0.7-19.9%). NF membranes showed significantly higher colour rejection (32-100%) but were associated with substantial sugar losses (up to 96%), limiting their applicability for selective decolourisation; however, their high sugar retention capacity suggests potential for product concentration and the removal of low-molecular-weight impurities. Overall, UF represents a suitable approach for partial colour removal in starch hydrolysates, while NF may be better suited for product concentration and the removal of low-molecular-weight impurities, as well as auxiliary applications such as water recovery. These findings provide a systematic basis for membrane selection and process optimisation in industrial starch hydrolysate purification.