An enzymatic device for extracting zeaxanthin

Abstract

This utility model belongs to the technical field of enzymatic hydrolysis equipment, and discloses an enzymatic hydrolysis device for extracting zeaxanthin, including a tank and a temperature control system, and further including: a stirring mechanism, which includes a main shaft, on which at least two sets of stirring components with different structures are installed at intervals. The stirring components are an upper frame-type wall-scraping agitator and a lower layer of multiple flexible stirring rods. The main shaft is driven by a variable frequency motor; an enzyme membrane recovery mechanism, which includes a circulation pipeline, on which a circulation pump and a precision filter are installed in series, and the circulation pipeline is connected to the discharge port. This utility model solves the problem of mixing dead zones in high-viscosity slurries through the combined design of the upper frame-type wall-scraping agitator and the lower spiral flexible stirring rods, so that the enzyme and substrate can be in more sufficient contact, shortening the enzymatic hydrolysis time and improving the zeaxanthin extraction rate. Combined with mirror polishing and elastic scrapers, the reaction uniformity can be further ensured, while avoiding local overheating or insufficient enzymatic hydrolysis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of enzymatic hydrolysis equipment technology, and in particular to an enzymatic hydrolysis device for extracting zeaxanthin. Background Technology

[0002] Zeaxanthin is an important carotenoid with excellent antioxidant, vision protection and prevention of age-related macular degeneration physiological functions. It is widely used in the food, health products and pharmaceutical fields. At present, the extraction of zeaxanthin from corn or its processing by-products is often carried out by enzymatic hydrolysis. Enzymatic hydrolysis has the advantages of mild conditions, high specificity and environmental friendliness.

[0003] However, existing enzymatic extraction equipment generally has the following problems: 1) Low mixing efficiency: Traditional stirring devices are mostly simple paddle type, which can easily create mixing dead zones for corn slurry with high viscosity, resulting in insufficient contact between enzyme and substrate, poor mass transfer efficiency, thus prolonging the enzymatic hydrolysis time and affecting the extraction rate; 2) Difficulty in enzyme recovery: After the reaction is completed, the enzyme preparation is mixed with the reaction solution, which is difficult to effectively recover and reuse, increasing the production cost. Therefore, we propose an enzymatic hydrolysis device for extracting zeaxanthin. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the problems of low mixing efficiency and difficulty in enzyme recovery in the existing enzymatic hydrolysis devices, this utility model is proposed.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides the following technical solution: An enzymatic hydrolysis device for extracting zeaxanthin includes a tank and a temperature control system located in the lower half of the tank. The top of the tank has a connected feed inlet and an enzyme inlet, and the bottom of the tank has a connected discharge outlet. The device also includes a stirring mechanism, which includes a main shaft that is vertically arranged and rotatably mounted inside the tank. At least two sets of stirring elements with different structures are installed at intervals on the main shaft. The stirring elements are an upper frame-type wall scraper and a lower set of multiple flexible stirring rods arranged in a spiral shape and circumferentially. The main shaft is driven by a variable frequency motor installed on the top of the tank. An enzyme membrane recovery mechanism includes a circulation pipeline, on which a circulation pump and a precision filter are connected in series, and the circulation pipeline is connected to the discharge port.

[0006] As a technical solution of the enzymatic hydrolysis device for extracting zeaxanthin according to the present invention, wherein: there is a gap between the outer edge of the frame-type wall scraper and the inner wall of the tank, and the vertical frame of the frame-type wall scraper is provided with an elastic scraper that can stick to the tank wall.

[0007] As a technical solution of the enzymatic hydrolysis device for extracting zeaxanthin according to the present invention, the flexible stirring rod is made of silicone or polyurethane elastomer.

[0008] As a technical solution of the enzymatic hydrolysis device for extracting zeaxanthin according to the present invention, one end of the circulation pipeline is connected to the discharge port through a three-way valve, and the other end is connected to the reflux port at the top of the tank through a reflux pipe.

[0009] As a technical solution of the enzymatic hydrolysis device for extracting zeaxanthin according to the present invention, wherein: the filtrate outlet of the precision filter is equipped with a connected product outlet pipe, and the concentrate outlet of the precision filter is connected to the tank through the reflux pipe.

[0010] As a technical solution of the enzymatic hydrolysis device for extracting zeaxanthin according to the present invention, the inner wall of the tank and the surface of all parts in contact with the material are mirror polished.

[0011] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: 1. This utility model solves the problem of mixing dead zones in high-viscosity slurries by combining an upper frame-type scraping agitator and a lower spiral flexible stirring rod, allowing for more thorough contact between the enzyme and the substrate, shortening the enzymatic hydrolysis time, and increasing the extraction rate of zeaxanthin. Furthermore, the combination of mirror polishing and elastic scraper can further ensure the uniformity of the reaction and avoid local overheating or insufficient enzymatic hydrolysis.

[0012] 2. In this utility model, the enzyme membrane recovery mechanism realizes the recycling of enzymes through a precision filter, reduces the consumption of enzyme preparations, and can significantly reduce production costs. At the same time, combined with the fully enclosed system and the corrosion resistance of the materials, it can further reduce waste liquid discharge to meet the requirements of green production. Attached Figure Description

[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort. Among them: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of this utility model.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a bottom view of the structure of this utility model.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4 For the present utility model Figure 3 Enlarged structural diagram at point A in the middle.

[0017] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: In the diagram: 1. Tank body; 101. Inlet; 102. Enzyme inlet; 103. Outlet; 2. Temperature control system; 3. Variable frequency motor; 4. Main shaft; 5. Frame-type scraper agitator; 6. Flexible stirring rod; 7. Elastic scraper; 8. Circulation pipeline; 9. Circulation pump; 10. Precision filter; 1001. Product outlet pipe; 11. Return pipe; 12. Three-way valve. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] Reference Figures 1-4 An enzymatic hydrolysis device for extracting zeaxanthin is provided. This device includes a tank 1 and a temperature control system 2 located in the lower half of the tank 1. The tank 1 is made of stainless steel. The temperature control system 2 maintains the required temperature for enzymatic hydrolysis (typically 40-50℃) through a jacketed water circulation or an electric heating module. The top of the tank 1 has a connected inlet 101 and an enzyme inlet 102, and the bottom of the tank 1 has a connected outlet 103. The device also includes a stirring mechanism, which includes a vertically arranged and rotatably mounted main shaft 4 inside the tank 1. At least two sets of structurally different components are spaced apart on the main shaft 4. The mixing components consist of an upper frame-type wall-scraping agitator 5 and a lower layer of multiple flexible stirring rods 6 arranged in a spiral shape and circumferentially. The main shaft 4 is driven by a variable frequency motor 3 (adjustable speed, 20-60 rpm) installed on the top of the tank body 1. The variable frequency motor 3 is connected to one end of the main shaft 4 via a coupling. In application, the combined design of the upper frame-type wall-scraping agitator 5 and the lower spiral flexible stirring rods 6 takes into account both the uniform mixing of high-viscosity materials (the frame-type wall-scraping agitator 5 prevents material from forming on the tank wall) and the flexible disturbance of materials at the bottom (the flexible stirring rods 6 reduce the damage of shear force to enzymes), thereby improving mass transfer efficiency. The enzyme membrane recovery mechanism includes a circulation pipeline 8, which is made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel. A circulation pump 9 and a precision filter 10 are connected in series on the circulation pipeline 8. The precision filter 10 uses a ceramic membrane or ultrafiltration membrane with a pore size of 0.1-0.2μm to separate the zeaxanthin filtrate from the enzyme concentrate. The circulation pipeline 8 is connected to the discharge port 103. In application, the enzyme is dynamically recovered through the circulation pipeline 8, the precision filter 10 and the circulation pump 9, reducing enzyme waste and lowering production costs.

[0020] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4The frame-type wall scraper 5 has a gap (e.g., 5-10mm) between its outer edge and the inner wall of the tank 1. The vertical frame of the frame-type wall scraper 5 is provided with an elastic scraper 7 that can adhere to the tank wall of the tank 1. In application, the design of the elastic scraper 7 can further ensure that there is no residual material on the tank wall, avoid insufficient local enzymatic hydrolysis, and reduce the difficulty of cleaning.

[0021] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The flexible stirring rod 6 is made of silicone or polyurethane elastomer, and its length covers 1 / 3 of the bottom height of the tank 1. In application, the material design of the flexible stirring rod 6, with its corrosion-resistant and highly flexible silicone or polyurethane elastomer, is suitable for stirring high-viscosity slurries and avoids mechanical damage to enzyme activity caused by rigid stirring.

[0022] Reference Figures 1-3 One end of the circulation pipeline 8 is connected to the outlet 103 via a three-way valve 12, and the other end is connected to the reflux port on the upper part of the tank 1 via a reflux pipe 11. The filtrate outlet of the precision filter 10 is equipped with a connected product outlet pipe 1001, and the concentrate outlet of the precision filter 10 is connected to the tank 1 via the reflux pipe 11. In application, the three-way valve 12 and the reflux design can realize the diversion control of the reaction liquid. The filtrate (containing zeaxanthin) is collected through the product outlet pipe 1001, and the concentrated enzyme solution is returned to the tank 1 for reuse, thereby improving the enzyme utilization rate.

[0023] Reference Figures 1-4 The inner wall of tank 1 and the surfaces of all parts that come into contact with materials are mirror polished. In application, the mirror polishing design can reduce material adhesion residue, reduce the risk of cross-contamination, and facilitate cleaning and maintenance.

[0024] The working principle of this utility model is as follows: Feeding and enzymatic hydrolysis operation: First, corn slurry is fed into the feed inlet 101 and preheated to the set temperature by the temperature control system 2. Then, cellulase or pectinase (dosage is 1-3% of the substrate) is added through the enzyme inlet 102. The stirring mechanism is started. At this time, the output shaft of the variable frequency motor 3 drives the main shaft 4 to rotate. The main shaft 4 drives the frame-type scraper agitator 5 to rotate to prevent the tank wall from clumping and drives the flexible stirring rod 6 to rotate to promote the turning of the bottom material. During this period, the pH is maintained at 4.5-5.5 (adjusted according to the enzyme type). Enzyme recovery and product collection operation: After the enzymatic hydrolysis is completed, the circulation pump 9 is turned on, and the reaction solution enters the circulation pipeline 8 through the outlet 103. Then, the precision filter 10 separates the filtrate (containing zeaxanthin) and the enzyme concentrate. The filtrate is discharged through the product outlet pipe 1001 for subsequent purification and concentration, while the enzyme concentrate is returned to the tank 1 through the reflux pipe 11 for reuse in the next batch (can be repeated 3-5 times). Cleaning and maintenance: After the reaction is complete, rinse the tank 1 and circulation pipeline 8 with clean water or a weak alkaline cleaning agent. The elastic scraper 7 will automatically remove the residue. At the same time, check the wear of the flexible stirring rod 6 regularly and replace it in time if necessary.

[0025] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of this utility model and are not intended to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solution of this utility model without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of this utility model, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. An enzymatic hydrolysis device for extracting zeaxanthin, comprising a tank (1) and a temperature control system (2) located in the lower half of the tank (1), wherein the top of the tank (1) is provided with a feed inlet (101) and an enzyme inlet (102) connected together, and the bottom of the tank (1) is provided with a discharge outlet (103) connected together, characterized in that: Also includes: The stirring mechanism includes a main shaft (4) that is vertically set and rotatably installed inside the tank (1). At least two sets of stirring components with different structures are installed at intervals on the main shaft (4). The stirring components are an upper frame-type wall scraper (5) and a lower layer of multiple flexible stirring rods (6) arranged in a spiral shape and circumferentially. The main shaft (4) is driven by a variable frequency motor (3) installed on the top of the tank (1). The enzyme membrane recovery mechanism includes a circulation pipeline (8), on which a circulation pump (9) and a precision filter (10) are connected in series, and the circulation pipeline (8) is connected to the discharge port (103).

2. The enzymatic hydrolysis device for extracting zeaxanthin according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer edge of the frame-type wall scraper (5) is provided with a gap between it and the inner wall of the tank (1), and the vertical frame of the frame-type wall scraper (5) is provided with an elastic scraper (7) that can be attached to the tank wall of the tank (1).

3. The enzymatic hydrolysis device for extracting zeaxanthin according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible stirring rod (6) is made of silicone or polyurethane elastomer.

4. The enzymatic hydrolysis device for extracting zeaxanthin according to claim 1, characterized in that: One end of the circulation pipeline (8) is connected to the discharge port (103) via a three-way valve (12), and the other end is connected to the reflux port at the top of the tank (1) via a reflux pipe (11).

5. The enzymatic hydrolysis apparatus for extracting zeaxanthin according to claim 4, characterized in that: The filtrate outlet of the precision filter (10) is connected to a product outlet pipe (1001), and the concentrate outlet of the precision filter (10) is connected to the tank (1) through the return pipe (11).

6. The enzymatic hydrolysis apparatus for extracting zeaxanthin according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: The inner wall of the tank (1) and the surfaces of all parts in contact with the material are mirror polished.

Images