A batch concentration microfiltration with a hollow fiber membrane (pore size of 0.10 mu m) was successfully employed as a pretreatment process to remove suspended particles from extract of yellowfin tuna spleen before recovery of proteases by ultafiltration. It was found that all visible suspended particles and more than half amount of soluble proteins were rejected. The transmission was about 0.8 and 0.6 for trypsin and chymotrypsin, respectively. A clear permeate with slightly yellow colour was obtained. Based on critical ratio of permeate flux (J) to wall shear stress (tau(w)), the condition for sustainable operation with low fouling was experimentally evaluated. An empirical model of relation between critical J/tau(w), and volume concentration factor (VCF) was found as J/tau(w), = 3.29(VCF)(-0.74) at a given transmembrane pressure of 0.15 bar. The equation indicated a condition, below which there is no marked fouling and above which sharp increase of fouling could occur. The present study revealed a simple method to predict low fouling condition ill batch concentration operation during membrane separation process. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.