Nattokinase process system
The nattokinase process system addresses impurity removal in nattokinase production by employing centrifugation, polyphenol precipitation, and freeze-drying, resulting in highly active nattokinase with enhanced purity and yield.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-27
Smart Images
Figure 0003255274000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a system for the production of nattokinase, and particularly to a technical improvement of a nattokinase process system.
Background Art
[0002] Nattokinase is an enzyme with high fibrinolytic activity, which can promote the decomposition of thrombus and improve blood circulation. It is widely applied in the fields of cardiovascular health foods and medical aids. Because its action is mild and it can be taken orally, it has long been considered as a functional ingredient effective in the prevention of myocardial infarction and stroke.
[0003] In the nattokinase process system of the prior art, in many cases, after the natto bacteria fermentation broth is centrifuged or filtered by a centrifugal separator to remove the bacterial cells, nattokinase is separated using a filtration membrane device, and then processed by a concentration and drying device to obtain nattokinase powder. However, in the manufacturing process, there is a limit to the ability to remove impurities such as proteins, polysaccharides, or pigments that coexist with nattokinase, and the activity of the produced nattokinase decreases.
[0004] Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, it is necessary to provide a novel and inventive nattokinase process system.
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] The main object of the present invention is to provide a nattokinase process system that can be used to produce high-activity nattokinase.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a nattokinase process system comprising: a first centrifugation mechanism for centrifuging a nattokinase fermentation liquid and separating and removing insoluble impurities from the nattokinase fermentation liquid to obtain a nattokinase separatory; a purification module communicating with the first centrifugation mechanism, receiving the nattokinase separatory, adding a polyphenol extract to the nattokinase separatory to perform a precipitation reaction, and separating the nattokinase precipitate; a redissolution unit communicating with the purification module, redissolving the nattokinase precipitate, and removing the supernatant after redissolution to obtain the nattokinase substance; and a freeze-drying apparatus communicating with the redissolution unit, receiving the nattokinase substance, and freeze-drying the nattokinase substance to obtain highly active nattokinase. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0007] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0008] Possible embodiments of the present invention will be described below using only examples, but this does not limit the scope of protection sought by the present invention. The terms "one" or "at least one" preceding nouns used herein do not limit the number, and may be "multiple" as needed. This variation in number is also within the scope of protection, as will be explained below.
[0009] Figure 1 shows one embodiment of the present invention. The nattokinase process system 1 of the present invention comprises a first centrifugation mechanism 10, a purification module 20, a redissolution unit 30, and a freeze-drying device 40.
[0010] The first centrifugation mechanism 10 is used to centrifuge the nattokinase fermentation liquid and separate and remove insoluble impurities from the nattokinase fermentation liquid to obtain a nattokinase separatory.
[0011] Preferably, the nattokinase process system 1 further comprises a flocculation reaction tank 50 and a coagulation reaction tank 60 communicating with each other, the coagulation reaction tank 60 communicating with the first centrifugation mechanism 10, the flocculation reaction tank 50 is used to react the initial natto fermentation liquid with a flocculant, and the coagulation reaction tank 60 is used to react the initial natto fermentation liquid after reaction with the flocculant with a coagulant to form the nattokinase fermentation liquid, in this embodiment the flocculant is zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) and the coagulant is chitosan. Thus, fine suspended particles in the initial natto fermentation liquid (e.g., natto bacteria cells and cell fragments, insoluble biopolymers, undissolved proteins, and other fine particles) can be converted into large-particle insoluble impurities through polymerization and flocculation, thereby improving the efficiency of subsequent centrifugation and increasing the clarity of the obtained nattokinase separation liquid.
[0012] The purification module 20 is in communication with the first centrifugation mechanism 10, receives the nattokinase separation solution, adds the polyphenol extract to the nattokinase separation solution to carry out a precipitation reaction, and is used to separate the nattokinase precipitate. In this embodiment, the polyphenol extract is tea polyphenol (EGCG). More specifically, the purification module 20 is equipped with a polyphenol reaction tank 21 and a second centrifugation mechanism 22 that are in communication with each other. The polyphenol reaction tank 21 is in communication with the first centrifugation mechanism 10, and the second centrifugation mechanism 22 is in communication with the redissolution unit 30. The polyphenol reaction tank 21 is used to carry out an affinity polymerization reaction between the polyphenol extract and the nattokinase separation solution to precipitate a precipitate and form a first polyphenol reaction solution. The second centrifugation mechanism 22 is used to centrifuge the first polyphenol reaction solution and remove the supernatant of the first polyphenol reaction solution to obtain a first precipitate. In this way, impurities in the first polyphenol reaction solution can be removed.
[0013] Preferably, the purification module 20 further comprises a first purification tank 23 and a third centrifugation mechanism 24 that are in communication with each other, and the first purification tank 23 and the third centrifugation mechanism 24 are sequentially in communication and located between the second centrifugation mechanism 22 and the redissolution unit 30. The first purification tank 23 is used to redissolve the natto kinase complex in the first precipitate with a buffer (for example, borate buffer) and to add the polyphenol extract to react and precipitate to obtain a second polyphenol reaction solution. The third centrifugation mechanism 24 is used to centrifuge the second polyphenol reaction solution and remove the supernatant to obtain a second precipitate. Furthermore, the purification module 20 further comprises a second purification tank 25 and a fourth centrifugation mechanism 26 that are in communication with each other. The first purification tank 23, the third centrifugation mechanism 24, the second purification tank 25, and the fourth centrifugation mechanism 26 are sequentially in communication and are located between the second centrifugation mechanism 22 and the redissolution unit 30. The second purification tank 25 is used to redissolve the nattokinase complex in the second precipitate with the buffer solution and to add the polyphenol extract to react and precipitate it to obtain a third polyphenol reaction solution. The fourth centrifugation mechanism 26 is used to centrifuge the third polyphenol reaction solution, remove the supernatant to remove the nattokinase precipitate. To further explain, the buffer solution can elute water-soluble impurities in the first precipitate and the second precipitate. In this way, the purity can be increased by going through a purification process that involves repeating precipitation, redissolution, and centrifugation multiple times.
[0014] The redissolution unit 30 is connected to the purification module 20 and is used to redissolve the nattokinase precipitate and remove the supernatant after redissolution to obtain the nattokinase substance. In this embodiment, the redissolution unit 30 redissolves the nattokinase precipitate with sterile water. More specifically, the sterile water redissolves impurities in the nattokinase precipitate, and by removing these impurities when the supernatant is removed, the solid nattokinase can be retained.
[0015] The freeze-drying apparatus 40 is in communication with the redissolution unit 30 and is used to receive the nattokinase substance and freeze-dry the nattokinase substance to obtain highly active nattokinase. More specifically, the highly active nattokinase can be formulated into a powder and added to food or filled into capsules for oral intake.
[0016] Preferably, the nattokinase process system 1 further comprises a filtration unit 70 that communicates between the first centrifugation mechanism 10 and the purification module 20 for filtering and removing fine particles.
[0017] Therefore, the nattokinase process system 1 of the present invention produces highly active nattokinase by repeatedly precipitation, redissolution, and centrifugation of the polyphenol extract using the purification module 20. For example, in the case of 13.9 grams of the highly active nattokinase powder, its activity is 209598 FU / g (Fibrinolytic Units per gram), and the polyphenol production yield is 79.3%. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0018] 1. Natto Kinase Process System 10. First Centrifugal Separation Mechanism 20 Refining Modules 21 Polyphenol reaction vessel 22. Second Centrifugal Separation Mechanism 23 1st purification tank 24. Third Centrifugal Separation Mechanism 25 Second purification tank 26. Fourth Centrifugal Separation Mechanism 30 Redissolution Units 40 Freeze drying equipment 50 Agglomeration Reactor 60 Condensation reactor 70 Filtration Units
Claims
1. Nattokinase process system, A first centrifugation mechanism for obtaining a nattokinase separatory by centrifuging the nattokinase fermentation liquid and separating and removing insoluble impurities from the nattokinase fermentation liquid, A purification module is connected to the first centrifugation mechanism, receives the nattokinase separation solution, adds the polyphenol extract to the nattokinase separation solution to perform a precipitation reaction, and separates the nattokinase precipitate. A redissolution unit, which is connected to the purification module, redissolves the nattokinase precipitate and removes the supernatant after redissolution to obtain the nattokinase substance, A natto kinase process system comprising: a freeze-drying apparatus communicating with the redissolution unit, receiving the natto kinase substance, and freeze-drying the natto kinase substance to obtain highly active natto kinase.
2. The nattokinase process system according to claim 1, further comprising a coagulation reaction tank and a settling reaction tank communicating with each other, wherein the settling reaction tank is in communication with the first centrifugal separation mechanism, the coagulation reaction tank is used to react the initial natto fermentation liquid with a coagulant, and the settling reaction tank is used to react the initial natto fermentation liquid after reaction with the coagulant with the settling agent to form the nattokinase fermentation liquid.
3. The natto kinase process system according to claim 2, wherein the flocculant is zinc sulfate (ZnSO4).
4. The nattokinase process system according to claim 2, wherein the coagulant is chitosan.
5. The purification module comprises a polyphenol reaction vessel and a second centrifugation mechanism communicating with each other, the polyphenol reaction vessel communicating with the first centrifugation mechanism, the second centrifugation mechanism communicating with the redissolution unit, the polyphenol reaction vessel is used to carry out an affinity polymerization reaction between the polyphenol extract and the nattokinase separation solution to precipitate a precipitate and form a first polyphenol reaction solution, and the second centrifugation mechanism is used to centrifuge the first polyphenol reaction solution and remove the supernatant of the first polyphenol reaction solution to obtain a first precipitate, the nattokinase process system according to claim 1.
6. The purification module further comprises a first purification tank and a third centrifugation mechanism communicating with each other, the first purification tank and the third centrifugation mechanism being sequentially connected and provided between the second centrifugation mechanism and the redissolution unit, the first purification tank being used to redissolve the natto kinase complex in the first precipitate with a buffer solution and to add the polyphenol extract to react and precipitate to obtain a second polyphenol reaction solution, and the third centrifugation mechanism being used to centrifuge the second polyphenol reaction solution and remove the supernatant of the second polyphenol reaction solution to obtain a second precipitate, the natto kinase process system according to claim 5.
7. The purification module further comprises a second purification tank and a fourth centrifugation mechanism communicating with each other, wherein the first purification tank, the third centrifugation mechanism, the second purification tank, and the fourth centrifugation mechanism are sequentially connected and provided between the second centrifugation mechanism and the redissolution unit, the second purification tank is used to redissolve the nattokinase complex in the second precipitate with the buffer solution and to add the polyphenol extract to react and precipitate to obtain a third polyphenol reaction solution, and the fourth centrifugation mechanism is used to centrifuge the third polyphenol reaction solution, remove the supernatant of the third polyphenol reaction solution, and separate the nattokinase precipitate, as described in claim 6.
8. Furthermore, the natto kinase process system according to claim 1, further comprising a filtration unit communicating between the first centrifugal separation mechanism and the purification module.
9. The natto kinase process system according to claim 1, wherein the polyphenol extract is tea polyphenol (EGCG).
10. The nattokinase process system further comprises a flocculation reaction tank and a coagulation reaction tank communicating with each other, the coagulation reaction tank communicating with the first centrifugal separation mechanism, the flocculation reaction tank is used to react the initial natto fermentation liquid with a flocculant, the coagulation reaction tank is used to react the initial natto fermentation liquid after reaction with the flocculant with a coagulant to form the nattokinase fermentation liquid, the flocculant is zinc sulfate (ZnSO4), the coagulant is chitosan, the nattokinase process system further comprises a filtration unit communicating between the first centrifugal separation mechanism and the purification module, and the redissolution unit redissolves the nattokinase precipitate with sterile water, the nattokinase process system according to claim 7.