Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Mineral partition and colloidal calcium phosphate solubilization: acid whey (pH 4.3--4.6 from mineral/lactic acid coagulation) solubilizes 100% of micellar colloidal calcium phosphate into the serum, yielding the highest mineral ash content ($\ge 0.75 - 0.85\%$) compared to rennet whey ($pprox 0.50\%$).
Key Formula or Approach:
\[ \text{Ash Content: } \mathbf{Acid \text{ } Whey (0.75 - 0.85\%)} > \text{Paneer Whey (0.60 - 0.65\%)} > \text{Rennet Whey (0.50 - 0.55\%)} \gg \text{Demineralized Whey} \]
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Comparative mineral chemistry and ash content of different dairy wheys:
1. Acid Whey (Cottage Cheese Whey Casein Acid Whey) (A): Produced by direct mineral acid addition or lactic bacterial fermentation dropping pH to $4.6$. Acidification completely solubilizes Colloidal Calcium Phosphate (CCP) from the interior of casein micelles into the serum, resulting in the highest ash/mineral content (0.75% to 0.85% ash) (rich in ionic $\text{Ca}^{2+}$, inorganic phosphate, and sodium/potassium).
2. Rennet (Sweet) Whey: Produced at pH $6.4 - 6.6$; micellar CCP remains locked inside the casein curd coagulum, so rennet whey contains only $0.50\% - 0.55\%$ ash.
3. Demineralized Whey: Demineralized via electrodialysis or ion exchange ($< 0.1\%$ ash).
Step 3: Final Answer:
Hence, Acid whey has the highest ash content, matching option (A).