From whey to value: Technology readiness, industrial biotechnology, and AI-enabled dairy biorefineries
Food Bioscience, vol.83, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Review
- Volume: 83
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1016/j.fbio.2026.109632
- Journal Name: Food Bioscience
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, INSPEC
- Keywords: AI in dairy processing, Dairy biorefinery, Sustainability, Whey biotechnology, Whey valorization
- Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
The transition toward circular bioeconomy models is reshaping the dairy sector's approach to resource utilization, sustainability, and process innovation. Among dairy side streams, sweet whey represents the largest by-product stream and has historically been associated with disposal challenges owing to its high organic load. However, advances in membrane technologies, bioprocess engineering, and digital manufacturing have transformed whey from a low-value residue into a strategic feedstock for integrated dairy biorefineries. This review critically examines current and emerging whey valorization pathways, spanning conventional ingredient recovery and advanced biotechnological applications. Particular attention is given to whey protein concentrates and isolates, whey protein phospholipid concentrate, delactosed permeate, fermentation-derived metabolites, recombinant bioprocesses, and bioenergy production systems. Beyond traditional fractionation approaches, the review explores the emerging whey-to-biotech paradigm, in which whey serves as a versatile platform substrate to produce organic acids, microbial biomass, enzymes, biopolymers, recombinant proteins, and renewable energy carriers. Furthermore, the growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, soft sensors, hybrid modelling, and digital twins is evaluated as a transformative strategy to address feedstock variability, membrane fouling, process optimization, and scale-up limitations. Despite significant technological advances, several challenges continue to hinder large-scale implementation, including compositional heterogeneity, limited standardization of emerging coproducts, fragmented process integration, and insufficient industrial validation. Future progress will depend on the convergence of dairy chemistry, membrane science, biotechnology, systems engineering, and AI-driven process intelligence to establish adaptive, resource-efficient, and economically viable dairy biorefineries capable of maximizing value creation from whey streams.