Microfiltration performance has been analysed by evaluating the influence of three macro-compounds as a function of the cross-flow velocity (CFV), transmembrane pressure (TMP) and pore size of the membranes. Four mathematical models were evaluated to relate the permeate flow rate (J p) to the concentration of the macrocompounds in the retentate (C b) during filtration in concentration mode. Pectin has a greater impact than cellulose and lignin on the permeate flux (J p). The largest value of K 2 was found for pectin in the model 1 1 2 − = + ⋅ p b J K K C. The optimum operating conditions and pore size to reduce fouling of the membranes depend on the pore size to particle size ratio and the physicochemical interactions between the solute and membrane. The mathematical model is useful in the region where the permeate flow is nearly independent of pressure, the pore size and cross-flow velocity but is dependent on the diffusional phenomenon of mass transfer.