Producción de lácteos (Impactos y medidas de manejo)

General Overview of Milk

Nutritional Importance of Milk

• Milk provides essential nutrients and is a significant source of dietary energy, containing high-quality proteins and fats.

• It contributes notably to the intake of vital nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, selenium, riboflavin, vitamin B12, and pantothenic acid.

Role in Society

• As a life-sustaining product, milk holds a special place on modern dining tables and leads to various derived products.

• It is considered one of the most complete and balanced foods available for all ages.

Composition and Production Process

Chemical Composition

• Cow's milk consists of approximately 4% lipids, 4.5% carbohydrates, 3% proteins, 1% minerals, and 87.5% water; however, this composition can vary by breed.

Context in Colombia

• Colombia ranks as the 21st largest producer of milk globally and fourth in Latin America with an output of around 6.5 billion liters in 2012.

Milk Production Cycle

Initial Stages

• The production cycle begins at dairy farms with milking followed by transportation to collection centers for quality analysis.

Quality Control Measures

• Raw milk undergoes quality checks to ensure it meets necessary standards before further processing.

Processing Techniques

Cooling and Clarification

• Cooling raw milk to 4°C reduces bacterial activity within 48 to 52 hours before proceeding with other processes.

• Clarification involves heating milk to separate solids like dust or particles that cannot be filtered out effectively.

Standardization & Sterilization

• Standardization adjusts fat content for different dairy products while sterilization (UHD process) eliminates pathogenic microorganisms through rapid heating.

Environmental Impact Considerations

Water Consumption

• Significant water usage occurs during machinery cleaning processes which can consume up to four times the volume of processed milk.

Energy Consumption

• Thermal energy is used during washing and pasteurization while electrical energy powers cooling systems and classification processes.

Waste Management Strategies

Wastewater Treatment

• Implementing measures for separating wastewater from cleaning processes helps manage environmental impact effectively.

Rainwater Harvesting

• Systems are being developed for rainwater collection aimed at reducing demand on sanitary water supplies.

Innovative Practices in Dairy Processing

Equipment Efficiency

• Utilizing low-volume high-pressure nozzles improves cleaning efficiency while minimizing water use during equipment maintenance.

Preventive Maintenance

• Regular maintenance on steam pipes prevents leaks that could lead to increased energy consumption.