Whey is the serum or liquid part of milk that is separated from
curd when making cheese. As whey is a secondary product of the
cheese making process, whey production is related to the dairy
industry. Whey and whey components are used by the food industry
in a wide variety of applications on the basis of their
excellent nutritional and functional properties. Whey products
are a combination of high-quality proteins, lactose, bio-active
components, minerals and vitamins. The dairy industry provides a
broad variety of dairy products containing whey and its
ingredients such as yoghurts, milk drinks and ice cream. Whey
and its components are also appreciated as a value-added
ingredient in many other food products including meat and fish
products, bakery, confectionery, snack foods and infant formula.
Furthermore, whey is used for many applications in feed.
Currently, whey is increasingly recognized as a functional food
with a number of health benefits. Whey and whey components
receive growing interest as functional