Method for producing low molecular biological resource and producing device

Abstract

To provide a method for producing a novel low molecule bio resources capable of making bio resources into low molecule, without using drugs and a device for producing the same.SOLUTION: A method for producing low molecular biological resource comprises: a first step that involves finely grinding biological resources into powder or fiber form, and the second step that involves packing the finely ground biological resource 100 into a conductive mold 10, applying pressure with pressurizing means while flowing a pulse direct current through the conductive mold 10 to heat it from room temperature to a predetermined temperature to liquefy it.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing a low-molecular-weight biological resource obtained by reducing the molecular weight of a biological resource.

Background Art

[0002] The reduction of the molecular weight of biological resources is carried out, for example, in the production of pulp using wood, which is a biological resource, as a raw material. Two methods for producing pulp are known: the dry method and the wet method. The dry method produces mechanical pulp by mechanically pulverizing wood chips until they are small enough to be used as pulp. However, the mechanical pulp obtained by the dry method contains lignin, which is one of the main components of wood, and this lignin changes color to brown due to ultraviolet light, resulting in a decrease in the quality of the mechanical pulp product.

[0003] The wet method is an effective method for removing lignin, which is a problem of the dry method. As an example of the wet method, in the kraft method shown in Patent Document 1, wood chips and an aqueous solution of NaOH·Na 2 S are charged into a continuous digester and digested at a high temperature of 150 to 160°C, and then a black liquor in which low-molecular-weight lignin is dissolved is washed and separated from the chemical pulp mainly composed of low-molecular-weight cellulose. The chemical pulp obtained by the kraft method becomes pulp after passing through the processes of screening, washing, and bleaching after removing the remaining lignin. In addition, since the lignin contained in the black liquor is bound to the chemical components derived from the aqueous solution of NaOH·Na 2 S, by concentrating the black liquor and burning it as fuel in a recovery boiler, the lignin is discharged as CO 2 , and the chemical components are recovered from inside the boiler and recycled as NaOH and Na 2 S after undergoing a regeneration process.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0005] The production of low-molecular-weight biological resources is not limited to pulp production using wood as in Patent Document 1, and research for extracting and utilizing active ingredients from various types of biological resources is widely underway. However, like the kraft method in the above-mentioned pulp production, the method of reducing the molecular weight of biological resources using chemicals not only increases the production cost but also requires the removal of chemical components in the subsequent process, resulting in a problem of complicating the production process.

[0006] The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a novel method and apparatus for producing low-molecular-weight biological resources capable of reducing the molecular weight of biological resources without using chemicals.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the method for producing low-molecular-weight biological resources of the present invention comprises: a first step of pulverizing or fibrillating biological resources into a powdery or fibrous state; a second step of packing the pulverized biological resources into a conductive mold, flowing a pulsed direct current through the conductive mold while pressurizing by a pressurizing means, and heating from room temperature to a predetermined temperature to liquefy them; and is characterized by comprising the above. According to this feature, a surface current flows on the surface of the biological resources in a pressurized state inside the conductive mold, and a discharge occurs between the pulverized biological resources, so that the low-molecularization of the biological resources, which are high-molecular compounds, starts during the heating process. Since the liquefied biological resources are extruded to the outside as the molecular weight is reduced, it is possible to obtain low-molecular-weight biological resources in which the molecular weight of the biological resources is reduced without using chemicals.

[0008] The pulverized biological resources are characterized by being a powder having a particle size of 1 mm or less. According to this feature, surface current can easily flow on the surface of the refined biological resources, increasing the discharge energy generated between the biological resources and promoting molecular weight reduction to facilitate low-molecularization.

[0009] The refined biological resources are characterized by being fibrous bodies with a diameter of 1 mm or less and a length of 5 mm or less. According to this feature, surface current can easily flow on the surface of the refined biological resources, increasing the discharge energy generated between the biological resources and promoting molecular weight reduction to facilitate low-molecularization.

[0010] In the second step, the biological resources are pressurized at 10 MPa or more. According to this feature, inside the conductive mold, the biological resources liquefied with molecular weight reduction can be stably extruded to the outside, preventing gasification of the biological resources due to further decomposition.

[0011] The manufacturing apparatus for low-molecular-weight biological resources of the present invention includes a cylindrical conductive mold capable of accommodating refined biological resources, a pulsed DC power supply connected to the conductive mold, a pressurizing means for pressurizing the biological resources accommodated in the conductive mold, a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the biological resources, and is characterized by comprising the above. According to this feature, inside the conductive mold, surface current flows on the surface of the pressurized biological resources, and discharge occurs between the refined biological resources, starting the low-molecularization of the biological resources, which are high-molecular compounds, during the heating process. Since the biological resources liquefied with molecular weight reduction are extruded to the outside, low-molecular-weight biological resources with reduced molecular weight of the biological resources can be obtained without using chemicals.

[0012] The conductive mold is characterized by having an electrical resistivity of 60 μΩcm or more. According to this feature, the discharge energy generated between the refined biological resources can be increased to promote the reduction of the molecular weight of the biological resources, so that the molecular weight of the biological resources can be reduced in a shorter time.

[0013] The conductive mold includes a cylindrical portion to which a conductive electrode is connected, and a lid portion that closes one opening of the cylindrical portion. It is characterized in that pores are formed in the lid portion. According to this feature, since the biological resources liquefied with the reduction of the molecular weight are pushed out to the outside through the pores of the lid portion, the recovery efficiency of the low-molecular-weight biological resources can be increased.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the examples of the embodiments and examples shown below.

[0016] The method for producing low-molecular-weight biological resources according to the present invention (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "this production method") includes a first step of pulverizing biological resources into a powdery or fibrous form, and packing the pulverized biological resources into a conductive mold, and flowing a pulsed direct current through the conductive mold while pressurizing at 10 MPa or more by a pressurizing means to raise the temperature from room temperature to a predetermined temperature and liquefy them in a second step. By this production method, a surface current flows on the surface of the pressurized biological resources inside the conductive mold, and discharge occurs between the pulverized biological resources, so that the low-molecular-weighting of the biological resources, which are high-molecular compounds, starts during the heating process, and the low-molecular-weight biological resources can be produced by utilizing the fact that the liquefied biological resources are extruded to the outside. That is, this production method can low-molecular-weight various types of biological resources in a short time without using chemicals, and since the gasification of biological resources due to excessive low-molecular-weighting can be suppressed by the liquefied biological resources being extruded to the outside, low-molecular-weight biological resources can be obtained in a high yield.

[0017] In addition, the low-molecular-weight biological resources obtained by this production method solidify into a solid when the temperature decreases, but can be liquefied again at a lower temperature compared to the biological resources before low-molecular-weighting by heating. Thus, since the low-molecular-weight biological resources are easily liquefied, not only can the volume be reduced and the transportation cost be reduced, but also the separation of active ingredients can be easily performed. Also, there is a possibility of separating valuable components that could not be separated as solids until now.

[0018] The biological resources in this production method refer to solid materials composed of plant resources and animal resources, preferably in a dehydrated or dried state with reduced moisture content, and are pulverized into a powdery or fibrous form using a pulverizer or the like.

[0019] Biological resources are preferably refined to the micron order from the viewpoints of reactivity and handleability. Specifically, in the case of powder, when the particle size is 1 mm or less, preferably 500 μm or less, and more preferably 200 μm or less, surface current easily flows on the surface of the refined biological resources, increasing the discharge energy generated between biological resources and promoting low molecular weightization.

[0020] Also, in the case of fibers, when the diameter is 1 mm or less and the length is 5 mm or less, preferably the diameter is 500 μm or less and the length is 5 mm or less, and more preferably the diameter is 200 μm or less and the length is 3 mm or less, surface current easily flows on the surface of the refined biological resources, increasing the discharge energy generated between biological resources and promoting low molecular weightization.

[0021] Examples of plant resources constituting biological resources include wood, bamboos, grasses (kenaf, papyrus, etc.), cotton, crop residues (bagasse, cotton linter, etc.) mainly composed of cellulose, cereals (rice, wheat, corn, etc.), vegetables mainly composed of starch, and legumes (soybeans, etc.) mainly composed of protein.

[0022] Examples of animal resources constituting biological resources include meats mainly composed of protein, and skin, hair, nails, horns, beaks, scales, feathers, exoskeletons (shells of crustaceans and insects, etc.) mainly composed of hard protein.

[0023] In this manufacturing method, for example, using a manufacturing apparatus for low molecular weight biological resources (see Figure 1) described later, the biological resources packed in a conductive mold are sandwiched between a pair of conductive electrodes constituting a pressurizing means, and while pressurizing at 10 MPa or more, a pulsed direct current is passed through the conductive mold to raise the temperature from room temperature to a predetermined temperature.

[0024] The biological resources packed in the conductive mold are reduced in molecular weight by the discharge occurring between the refined biological resources and all liquefied. Therefore, in the manufacturing apparatus for the biological resources with reduced molecular weight having the configuration shown in Fig. 1, the biological resources packed in the conductive mold can be all extruded to the outside by being pressurized (pinched) until the pair of conductive electrodes come into contact with each other, so that the liquefied biological resources can be all extruded to the outside.

[0025] In the present embodiment, by passing a pulsed direct current through a pair of conductive electrodes in the conductive mold, the temperature of the conductive mold and the biological resources accommodated inside the conductive mold can be raised from room temperature to a predetermined temperature. Here, among the pulsed direct current, most of the current flows through the conductive mold and is used for heat generation, and due to this heat generation, the conductive mold and the biological resources are heated. In addition, in this temperature rise, the temperature of the inner diameter part of the conductive mold and the biological resources packed in the conductive mold is substantially the same.

[0026] In addition, among the pulsed direct current, a part of the current flows as a surface current on the surface of the biological resources, generating a discharge between the refined biological resources. This discharge is in an energy state weak enough to break a part of the bonds of the organic compound or to excite the double bond. The present manufacturing method reduces the molecular weight of the biological resources, which are high molecular compounds, by effectively utilizing the discharge energy.

[0027] Note that the upper limit temperature of the temperature rise in the present manufacturing method is set to a predetermined temperature based on various conditions such as the type, size, and discharge energy size of the biological resources to be reduced in molecular weight. In addition, the upper limit temperature of the temperature rise and the temperature rise rate can be adjusted by the current of the pulsed direct current.

[0028] From the viewpoint of suppressing the thermal decomposition of the organic compounds constituting the biological resources, the upper limit temperature of the temperature rise is preferably 260°C or lower in the case of plant resources mainly composed of cellulose or animal resources mainly composed of hard proteins, and preferably 150°C or lower in the case of plant resources mainly composed of starch or animal resources mainly composed of proteins.

[0029] Next, an example of the apparatus for producing low-molecular-weight biological resources according to the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as "this production apparatus 1") will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, this production apparatus 1 mainly comprises a cylindrical conductive mold 10 capable of accommodating the micronized biological resources 100, a pair of conductive electrodes 20a, 20b respectively inserted into the openings 10a, 10b of the conductive mold 10, a pulsed DC power source 30 connected to the conductive electrodes 20a, 20b, a driving device 40 for driving the conductive electrodes 20a, 20b so as to be able to contact and separate them to pressurize the biological resources 100 accommodated in the conductive mold 10 at 10 MPa or more, and a thermocouple 50 as temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the biological resources 100. Further, the conductive electrodes 20a, 20b are covered with a cylindrical graphite sheet (not shown) having substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the conductive electrodes 20a, 20b so that the conductive electrodes 20a, 20b do not directly touch the biological resources 100. Also, since a graphite sheet is interposed between the conductive electrodes 20a, 20b, when the conductive electrodes 20a, 20b come into contact with each other, it is possible to prevent the conductive electrodes 20a, 20b from adhering to each other.

[0031] In this production apparatus 1, a pressurizing means is constituted by the conductive electrodes 20a, 20b and the driving device 40. Also, in this production apparatus 1, a mode of pressurizing the biological resources 100 accommodated in the conductive mold 10 by driving the conductive electrode 20b up and down by the driving device 40 will be described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In this production apparatus 1, as long as the driving device can drive the pair of conductive electrodes to be able to contact and separate them, for example, by driving up and down a gantry 60 to which the conductive electrode 20a is fixed, it may be possible to pressurize the biological resources 100 accommodated in the conductive mold 10.

[0032] Here, the manufacturing procedure of the low-molecular-weight biological resources using the present manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described. First, the lower opening 10a of the conductive mold 10 is inserted (externally fitted) from above with respect to the conductive electrode 20a fixed to the gantry 60. Next, the micronized biological resources 100 are introduced from the upper opening 10b of the conductive mold 10, and the conductive electrode 20b is inserted from above with respect to the opening 10b of the conductive mold 10. Next, the drive device 40 moves the conductive electrode 20b toward the conductive electrode 20a (see the white arrow in FIG. 2), sandwiches the biological resources 100 accommodated in the conductive mold 10 in the vertical direction, and a pulsed direct current is passed from the pulsed direct current power supply 30 through the pair of conductive electrodes 20a and 20b to the conductive mold 10. Note that the drive device 40 is controlled to operate so that a predetermined pressure of 10 MPa or more is applied to the biological resources 100 until the conductive electrodes 20a and 20b come into contact with each other.

[0033] Thereby, the conductive mold 10 can be heated to raise the temperature of the biological resources 100 from room temperature to a predetermined temperature, and the biological resources 100 are low-molecular-weighted and liquefied inside the conductive mold 10 during the heating process. In the present manufacturing apparatus 1, the temperature of the biological resources 100 accommodated inside the conductive mold 10 is detected by the thermocouple 50 inserted into the conductive mold 10, and the pulsed direct current flowing through the conductive mold 10 is adjusted by the pulsed direct current power supply 30 to raise the temperature of the biological resources 100 while controlling the temperature.

[0034] The liquefied and fluid biomass resource 100 moves through the gaps between the miniaturized biomass resources 100 and is extruded into the slight gap formed between the inner peripheral surface of the conductive mold 10 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the conductive electrodes 20a and 20b (see the black arrow in Fig. 2). That is, the liquefied biomass resource 100 is extruded into a space where there is no discharge field and high pressure, and finally, the low-molecular-weight biomass resource 101 that has solidified due to a temperature drop in the vicinity of the openings 10a and 10b of the conductive mold 10 is obtained. In the present manufacturing apparatus 1, the inner peripheral surface of the conductive mold 10 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the conductive electrodes 20a and 20b are mirror-finished, making it easier for the liquefied biomass resource 100 to move through the slight gap formed between the inner peripheral surface of the conductive mold 10 and the outer peripheral surface of the conductive electrode 20b.

[0035] Here, if the liquefied biomass resource remains in the discharge field as it is, it will be further reduced in molecular weight, become gaseous, and volatilize into the atmosphere. Therefore, a predetermined pressure of 10 MPa or more is applied to the liquefied and fluid biomass resource, and it is stably extruded into a space (external) where there is no discharge field and high pressure, thereby preventing the gasification of the biomass resource due to further decomposition and maintaining the liquefied state.

[0036] In addition, the liquefied biomass resource 100 is not limited to being extruded from the gap formed between the conductive mold 10 and the conductive electrodes 20a and 20b. For example, by forming an extrusion channel in a part of the conductive mold or the conductive electrode, the liquefied biomass resource 100 may be configured to be preferentially extruded through the channel (see Fig. 3 described later). Further, by directly recovering the biomass resource 100 extruded from the channel into a thermostatic bath maintained at a high temperature (liquefaction temperature), it may be configured to hold the low-molecular-weight biomass resource 101 in a liquid state without solidifying it.

[0037] In addition, the manufacturing apparatus 1 can change the energy of the discharge generated between the refined biological resources 100 according to the electrical resistance of the conductive mold 10, that is, the resistivity of the material constituting the conductive mold 10. Specifically, by using the conductive mold 10 made of a material with a large resistivity, the discharge energy can be increased. By increasing the discharge energy, the biological resources 100 can be reduced to low molecules at a low temperature.

[0038] For example, biological resources that are difficult to be reduced to low molecules, such as plant resources like wood mainly composed of cellulose and animal resources like feathers mainly composed of keratin which is a hard protein, cannot be reduced to low molecules in the temperature range where thermal decomposition of organic compounds does not occur when using a conductive mold made of a material with a small resistivity such as graphite (20 μΩcm). However, by using a conductive mold made of a material with a resistivity of 60 μΩcm or more, preferably 100 μΩcm or more, the reduction of biological resources can be promoted in the temperature range where thermal decomposition of organic compounds does not occur. Also, by using a conductive mold made of a material with a resistivity of 60 μΩcm or more and not ferromagnetic (for example, Hastelloy (registered trademark) C276, α-β titanium alloy, etc.), even when the voltage of the pulsed DC power supply 30 is low, the resistivity of the conductive mold increases with the generation of a magnetic field due to the flow of the pulsed DC current, and it is possible to prevent the current from not flowing. Note that even when using a conductive mold made of SUS440C (64 μΩcm) which is ferromagnetic, when the voltage of the pulsed DC power supply 30 is high, it is possible to reduce biological resources that are difficult to be reduced to low molecules in the temperature range where thermal decomposition of organic compounds does not occur. Furthermore, for biological resources that are easily reduced to low molecules, such as plant resources mainly composed of starch and animal resources mainly composed of protein, even when using a conductive mold made of a material with a small resistivity such as graphite, it is possible to reduce biological resources in the temperature range where thermal decomposition of organic compounds does not occur.

[0039] In addition, in this embodiment, since the conductive mold 10 is not fixed to the apparatus, it can be easily replaced. Also, in this embodiment, since the upper limit temperature of the temperature rise is a temperature at which thermal decomposition of the organic compound does not occur (for example, 260°C or lower), it is possible to use many types of metal molds, the range of selection of manufacturing conditions is wide, which is advantageous for industrialization.

[0040] Note that the manufacturing apparatus 1 is preferably configured to be able to detect a rapid volume change (shrinkage) due to the liquefaction of the biomass 100 pressed and compacted by pressure by measuring the moving distance of the conductive electrode 20b driven by the driving device 40. Further, the pulsed DC power supply 30 is preferably configured to be able to adjust the current to stop the temperature rise based on the detection of the rapid volume change of the biomass 100 by the driving device 40. Thereby, the liquefied biomass can be appropriately pushed out to the outside before the temperature rises more than necessary, and gasification due to excessive low molecular weight can be suppressed.

[0041] Next, a modified example of the manufacturing apparatus for the low molecular weight biomass according to the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as "this manufacturing apparatus 201") will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, this manufacturing apparatus 201 mainly includes a conductive mold 210 capable of accommodating the refined biomass 100, a pressure piston 221 inserted into an opening 211b of a rectangular tube-shaped cylindrical portion 211 constituting the conductive mold 210, a lid portion 212 closing an opening 211a of the cylindrical portion 211, a pair of conductive electrodes 220a and 220b respectively closely fixed and connected to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 211, a pulsed DC power supply 30 connected to the conductive electrodes 220a and 220b, a driving device 40 for driving the pressure piston 221 so as to be able to pressurize the biomass 100 accommodated in the conductive mold 210 at 10 MPa or more, and a thermocouple 50 for detecting the temperature of the biomass 100. In this manufacturing apparatus 201, the conductive mold 210 is composed of a cylindrical portion 211 and a lid portion 212. Also, the conductive mold 210 is not limited to being composed of a separate cylindrical portion 211 and a lid portion 212, and may be configured as a bottomed cylindrical shape in which the cylindrical portion and the lid portion are integrally formed.

[0043] Also, in this manufacturing apparatus 201, an insulating sheet (not shown) is inserted between the lower surface of the cylindrical portion 211 and the upper surface of the lid portion 212 so that a pulsed direct current does not flow from the cylindrical portion 211 to which the conductive electrodes 220a and 220b are connected to the lid portion 212. Further, an insulating sheet (not shown) is inserted between the lower surface of the lid portion 212 and the gantry 260 so that the pulsed direct current flowing from the cylindrical portion 211 to which the conductive electrodes 220a and 220b are connected to the lid portion 212 does not flow to the gantry 260. Thus, this manufacturing apparatus 201 pressurizes the biological resource 100 accommodated inside the conductive mold 210 in the vertical direction by the pressurizing means composed of the driving device 40 and the pressurizing piston 221, and at the same time, a pulsed direct current is passed through the conductive electrodes 220a and 220b from the radial direction of the conductive mold 210 (cylindrical portion 211) to raise the temperature, which is different from the above-described manufacturing apparatus 1 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0044] Further, in this manufacturing apparatus 201, a concave portion 212a having substantially the same diameter as the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 211 is formed at the center of the upper surface of the lid portion 212, and a plurality of pores 212b having a diameter of about 0.1 to 1 mm penetrating the lid portion 212 in the vertical direction are formed in the concave portion 212a.

[0045] According to this, the biological resource 100 liquefied due to low molecular weight inside the conductive mold 210 can be extruded to the outside through the pores 212b of the lid portion 212 (see the black arrow in FIG. 3). In this manufacturing apparatus 201, the dimensional relationships of the respective members are adjusted so that the liquefied biological resource 100 is preferentially extruded to the outside through the pores 212b of the lid portion 212 rather than through the slight gap formed between the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 211 and the outer peripheral surface of the pressurizing piston 221.

[0046] Also, after the liquefied biological resource 100 is extruded to the outside through the pores 212b of the lid portion 212, it is collected in a container (not shown) installed below the lid portion 212, thereby enhancing the recovery efficiency of the low molecular weight biological resource.

[0047] In the manufacturing apparatus 201, the pressurizing means is constituted by a pressurizing piston 221 driven by a driving device 40 to pressurize the biological resource 100 accommodated inside the conductive mold 210. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pressurizing means may have a configuration of a so-called screw-type extruder including a screw (not shown) rotationally driven by a driving device. According to this, for example, by sequentially supplying the biological resource 100 placed in a hopper (not shown) to the screw-type extruder by its own weight, the biological resource 100 liquefied inside the conductive mold 210 can be continuously extruded to the outside through the pores 212b of the lid portion 212, and a large amount of low-molecular-weight biological resources can be manufactured.

[0048] In the manufacturing apparatus 201, the same material as that of the conductive mold 210 (cylindrical portion 211) may be used for the pressurizing piston 221 or the screw (not shown) constituting the pressurizing means, or different materials may be used.

[0049] In the manufacturing apparatus 201, the same material is used for the cylindrical portion 211 and the lid portion 212 constituting the conductive mold 210, and they are thermally deformed at substantially the same rate, and the inner diameters thereof are smoothly continuous. Therefore, the liquefied biological resource 100 can be stably extruded to the outside through the pores 212b of the lid portion 212. Note that different materials may be used for the cylindrical portion 211 and the lid portion 212. Further, it is preferable that the lid portion 212 is provided with heating means 212c, for example, so as to hold the biological resource 100 moving through the pores 212b in a liquefied state and is heated to substantially the same temperature as the cylindrical portion 211. Further, the heating means 212c for overheating the lid portion 212 is not limited to a heater, and may have a configuration in which a direct current is passed directly through the lid portion 212 for electric heating.

[0050] In the manufacturing apparatus 201, the temperature of the biological resource 100 accommodated inside the cylindrical portion 211 is detected by the thermocouple 50 inserted into the cylindrical portion 211, and the temperature of the biological resource 100 is increased while controlling the temperature by adjusting the pulsed direct current flowing through the cylindrical portion 211 by the pulsed DC power supply 30. At the same time, the temperature of the lid portion 212 is detected by the thermocouple 51 inserted into the lid portion 212, and the lid portion 212 is heated while controlling the temperature so as to be substantially the same temperature as the cylindrical portion 211 (biological resource 100) by adjusting the heating means 212c.

Example

[0051] Here, the manufacturing apparatus of the example according to the above embodiment was actually manufactured, and it was confirmed whether a biological resource with a reduced molecular weight could be manufactured. This will be specifically described below.

[0052] In this example, the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 described in the above embodiment was used. As the material of the conductive mold, Hastelloy (registered trademark) C276 having an electrical resistivity of 123 μΩcm and not being ferromagnetic was used. In addition, the size of the conductive mold can be freely changed according to the processing amount of the biological resource. In this example, in order to subject 1.0 g of various biological resources refined by a crusher, scissors, etc. to a molecular weight reduction treatment, a cylindrical shape with a height of 40 mm, an outer diameter of 40 mm, and an inner diameter of 15.4 mm is used. Further, a hole with a depth of 8 mm and a diameter of 2.1 mm is provided at a position 20 mm above the height of the conductive mold, and the thermocouple 50 is inserted to measure the temperature of the inner diameter portion of the conductive mold. The conductive electrode is a cylindrical shape with a length of 25 mm and a diameter of 15 mm made of Hastelloy (registered trademark) C276. In this example, the surface of the conductive electrode is covered with a graphite sheet (not shown) so that the biological resource accommodated in the conductive mold does not directly react with the conductive electrode.

[0053] In this example, the upper limit temperature of the temperature increase is set to 260°C or lower. Since the influence of oxidation by oxygen at this temperature is small, in this example, the depolymerization treatment is carried out in the air. When the purpose is to obtain a depolymerized biological resource with high reactivity with oxygen, it is preferable to carry out the depolymerization treatment in a container that can be replaced with a vacuum or an inert gas atmosphere.

[0054] In this example, first, the biological resource contained in the conductive mold is sandwiched between a pair of conductive electrodes, and the depolymerized biological resources are brought into close contact with each other by pressurizing at 100 MPa by a driving means. Next, a pulsed direct current is passed from a pulsed direct current power supply to start the depolymerization of the biological resource. At this time, the voltage applied to the conductive mold is constant at about 4 V, and the current always changes to adjust the temperature increase rate and may reach 100 A.

[0055] Since it is difficult to smoothly control the temperature in the low temperature region, it is preferable to increase the temperature from room temperature to 50°C over a time of about 5 minutes. When the temperature reaches 50°C or higher, the temperature increase can be carried out smoothly. Therefore, for example, while observing the shrinkage of the biological resource, the temperature can be increased to 260°C in the range of a temperature increase rate of 3°C / min to 10°C / min. Also, if a rapid volume change (shrinkage) due to the liquefaction of the biological resource is observed, stop the temperature increase there and wait for the shrinkage to stop. After further increasing the temperature by about 5°C, if no further shrinkage is observed, end the depolymerization treatment.

[0056] In this example, as the depolymerized biological resources, 1.0 g each of absorbent cotton (cotton) cut to a length of 2 - 3 mm, sugi powder with a particle size of 150 μm or less, wool yarn (keratin) cut to a length of 2 - 3 mm, leather product powder (collagen) with a particle size of 500 μm or less, bonito flake powder with a particle size of 500 μm or less, and potato starch with a particle size of 50 μm or less are subjected to the depolymerization treatment.

[0057] Here, we will consider the chemical stability of these biological resources. Among the biological resources, the most stable ones are the microfibrils of plant resources. The reason is that linear β-D glucose sugar chains tend to aggregate and align easily, and since they contain many OH group hydrogens, hydrogen bonds are formed between the fibers and it easily crystallizes. Therefore, microfibrils are the most stable among plant resources. For this reason, microfibrils are stable against enzymes and have very high mechanical strength. Microfibrils bind to hemicellulose to form microfibril bundles, and the composite material formed from these and lignin is the main component of wood. Since lignin is not fibrous and is difficult to align and is difficult to crystallize, its chemical stability is inferior to that of microfibrils, and it is expected that when wood powder (cedar powder) is liquefied, lignin will be decomposed first.

[0058] Hard proteins (keratin, collagen), which are animal resources, are racemic high molecular compounds in which various amino acids are bonded. Hard proteins are difficult to align due to their racemic shape, and furthermore, since the amount of hydrogen in the OH group is small, although they are less likely to crystallize than the above-mentioned microfibrils, their chemical stability is expected to be close to that of lignin. In the comparison between collagen and keratin, collagen in raw skin dissolves slightly in hot water, but keratin such as wool yarn does not dissolve at all. Therefore, the chemical stability of keratin is expected to be higher than that of collagen.

[0059] The proteins in meat, which are animal resources, are soft and their structure is not stabilized compared to hard proteins. Therefore, their liquefaction temperature is expected to be lower than that of hard proteins.

[0060] Starch, which is a plant resource, is a sugar chain with α-D glucose as the basic unit. Amylose is racemic and its fiber arrangement is restricted. Amylopectin is a branched sugar chain and is not a structure that can be aligned, so it is very difficult to crystallize. Therefore, its chemical stability is expected to be low. Also, since starch is a mixture of amylose and amylopectin, it is expected that the decomposition of amylopectin will precede and then the decomposition of amylose will start.

[0061] Table 1 shows the results of the low-molecular-weight treatment in this example.

[0062] [Table 1]

[0063] As shown in Table 1, liquefaction was confirmed for all the biological resources subjected to the low-molecular-weight treatment.

[0064] The liquefaction temperature of absorbent cotton was 235°C, the highest among the biological resources subjected to the low-molecular-weight treatment in this example. This is presumably because absorbent cotton is obtained by removing impurities from cotton and is composed of pure cellulose that is difficult to be low-molecular-weighted.

[0065] The liquefaction temperature of sugi powder was 188°C, lower than that of absorbent cotton. This is presumably because sugi powder, which is a powder of wood (sugi), is a composite material of cellulose and lignin, and the chemical bond of lignin is cleaved at a low temperature to generate radicals, and as a result, cellulose is also decomposed by a chain reaction, so it was liquefied at a lower temperature than absorbent cotton composed of pure cellulose. Incidentally, there are two types of radicals generated by the cleavage of lignin: short-lived radicals generated on the carbon atoms or hydrogen atoms of lignin, and radicals generated on the phenyl groups forming lignin. The phenyl group is a conjugated system, and the radicals generated there have a longer lifespan due to the stabilization effect of the conjugated system, and as a result, the number of radicals is presumably increased.

[0066] The liquefaction temperature of wool yarn (keratin) was 180°C, lower than that of sugi powder, and the liquefaction temperature of leather product powder (collagen) was 125°C, lower than that of wool yarn (keratin). This is presumably due to the difference in the structures of keratin and collagen, which are hard proteins.

[0067] The liquefaction temperature of skipjack powder was 100 °C, which was lower than that of leather powder (collagen). This is presumably because skipjack powder has a less stable structure than hard proteins and is composed of proteins that are easily fragmented into low-molecular-weight components.

[0068] The liquefaction temperature of potato starch started at 45 °C and ended at 115 °C. In the decomposition of potato starch, since there are no molecules such as phenyl groups that can stabilize radicals, it is presumed that the decomposition temperature range was formed by the decomposition in the order of the stability of the coexisting sugar chains (amylose and amylopectin).

[0069] As described above, it was confirmed that the liquefaction treatment of various biological resources can be performed by the production apparatus for low-molecular-weight biological resources according to the present invention. In addition, the difference in the liquefaction temperature of biological resources is consistent with the prediction in consideration of the chemical stability of biological resources. Since the liquefaction treatment of absorbent cotton composed of pure cellulose was possible, it was confirmed that the liquefaction treatment of substantially all biological resources is possible.

[0070] Regarding wool yarn (keratin) and leather powder (collagen), it has been confirmed that the liquefaction treatment is possible under a low pressure of 10 MPa. It is presumed that the liquefaction treatment is also possible under low pressure for skipjack powder and potato starch, which had a low liquefaction temperature in the above-described liquefaction treatment (100 MPa).

[0071] In addition, since the low-molecular-weight biological resources obtained by the production method and production apparatus according to the present invention can be maintained in a liquid state, it is easy to perform a separation operation. For example, for a liquid cellulose-liquid lignin mixture obtained by liquefying wood, the water-insoluble liquid lignin can be extracted with an organic solvent to separate it from the water-soluble liquid cellulose. Such ease of separation holds the potential to expand the utilization of active ingredients that have not been available so far to a wide range of fields.

[0072] Specifically, it is easy to produce fibers and films from the liquid of low-molecular-weight biological resources. Since these products have biodegradability, which is an inherent property of biological resources, they are environmentally friendly products. For example, it is possible to spin fibers from the liquid β-D glucose sugar chain obtained by the present invention. In addition, it is also possible to produce biodegradable composite materials by combining this fiber with liquid hard protein or liquid lignin. Although it takes a long time to decompose the huge molecule β-D glucose sugar chain by an enzyme, the liquid β-D glucose sugar chain obtained by the present invention is low-molecular-weight, so that it is easily decomposed by an enzyme.

[0073] In addition, plant resources contain many types of organic compounds, although in small amounts, and are used as raw materials for drugs, cosmetics, fragrances, etc. Heretofore, for the separation of minor components from plant resources, a method of using water or an organic solvent and extracting from a solid over time has been used. The low-molecular-weight biological resources obtained by the present invention contain, in addition to main components such as cellulose and lignin, also minor component organic compounds, and the volume in the liquid state is much smaller than that of the extraction solvent solution, making the separation operation easy, so that it can complement the extraction method.

[0074] Regarding hard proteins, which are animal resources, many results have been reported on the decomposition using chemicals by a solution method, but there have been almost no active efforts for industrialization. Also, for proteins such as meat, the demand as it is has been sufficient, and there has been no active attempt to reduce the molecular weight. The cost of generating low-molecular-weight biological resources by the production method and production apparatus according to the present invention is low, and it is easy to maintain in a liquid state, so that application to the production of new products is conceivable. In particular, regarding peptides, there is a possibility that they can be used as raw materials for drug production, and by reducing the molecular weight of various animal resources, the number of compounds in the peptide region can be increased, contributing to the development of drugs and nanocapsules. Also, at present, regarding hard proteins that are discarded in large amounts, by reducing the molecular weight, it is possible to use them, for example, as a biodegradable material for coating fertilizers.

Explanation of Reference Signs

[0075] 1 Manufacturing apparatus for low-molecular-weight biological resources 10 Conductive mold 10a, 10b Openings 20a, 20b Conductive electrodes (pressing means) 30 Pulse DC power supply 40 Driving device (pressing means) 50 Thermocouple (temperature detection means) 60 Stand 100 Miniaturized biological resources 101 Low-molecular-weight biological resources 201 Manufacturing apparatus for low-molecular-weight biological resources 210 Conductive mold 211 Cylindrical part 211a, 211b Openings 212 Cover part 212a Concave part 212b Pores 212c Heating means 220a, 220b Conductive electrodes 221 Pressing piston (pressing means) 260 Stand

Claims

1. A first step of pulverizing or fibrillating a biological resource into a powder or fiber form; A second step of packing the pulverized or fibrillated biological resource into a conductive mold, flowing a pulsed direct current through the conductive mold while pressurizing it by a pressurizing means, and heating it from room temperature to a predetermined temperature to liquefy it; A method for producing a low-molecular-weight biological resource, characterized by comprising the above steps.

2. The method for producing a low-molecular-weight biological resource according to Claim 1, wherein the pulverized or fibrillated biological resource is a powder having a particle size of 1 mm or less.

3. The method for producing a low-molecular-weight biological resource according to Claim 1, wherein the pulverized or fibrillated biological resource is a fibrous body having a diameter of 1 mm or less and a length of 5 mm or less.

4. In the second step, the method for producing a low-molecular-weight biological resource according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the biological resource is pressurized at 10 MPa or more.

5. A cylindrical conductive mold capable of accommodating the pulverized or fibrillated biological resource; A pulsed direct current power source connected to the conductive mold; A pressurizing means for pressurizing the biological resource accommodated in the conductive mold; A temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the biological resource; A manufacturing apparatus for a low-molecular-weight biological resource, characterized by comprising the above components.

6. The manufacturing apparatus for a low-molecular-weight biological resource according to Claim 5, wherein the conductive mold has an electrical resistivity of 60 μΩcm or more.

7. The conductive mold includes a cylindrical portion to which a conductive electrode is connected and a lid portion for closing the opening of the cylindrical portion, The manufacturing apparatus for a low-molecular-weight biological resource according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that pores are formed in the lid portion.

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