Acrylamide Removal from Coffee Using Membrane Segmentation and Biocatalyst Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing acrylamide from food and beverages, particularly coffee and coffee substitutes, often result in the loss of essential components that contribute to taste and aroma, and the enzymes used are not reusable, leading to high costs and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the separation of an aqueous preparation into two streams using a membrane, where one stream contains acrylamide and is treated with a biocatalyst to reduce its content, while the other stream retains essential components, and the biocatalyst is separated and reused.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the aqueous preparation is divided into two streams using a membrane, then acrylamide can be selectively treated in one stream while preserving essential components in the other stream, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aqueous preparation is divided into two separate streams using a membrane: a permeate stream containing acrylamide that is treated with biocatalyst, and a retentate stream containing essential taste and aroma components that are preserved. This segmentation allows selective treatment of acrylamide while protecting valuable components.
Solution Approach 2:
Acrylamide is extracted from the aqueous preparation through membrane filtration into a separate permeate stream, isolating it from essential components in the retentate stream. This extraction enables targeted enzymatic degradation of acrylamide without affecting other components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If enzymes are used to remove acrylamide from the entire preparation, then acrylamide content is reduced, but essential components contributing to taste and aroma are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The preparation is segmented into permeate and retentate streams, allowing enzymatic treatment to be applied only to the permeate stream containing acrylamide, while the retentate stream with essential components remains protected and is directly combined with the treated permeate.
Solution Approach 2:
The enzymatic treatment is applied locally only where needed (in the permeate stream containing acrylamide) rather than throughout the entire preparation. This localized application ensures acrylamide removal while preserving essential components in the retentate stream.
3Ease of operation
If the biocatalyst remains in the preparation after treatment, then it can be easily handled, but it cannot be reused leading to high costs and environmental impact
Solution Approach 1:
The biocatalyst is extracted from the treated permeate stream using a second membrane filtration step, separating it into a concentrate stream while allowing the treated preparation to pass through. This extraction enables biocatalyst recovery and reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the biocatalyst after use, it is recovered through membrane filtration and can be reused in subsequent treatment cycles. This recovery process reduces costs and environmental impact while maintaining ease of operation.
4Productivity
If large quantities of enzyme are used for large-scale production, then acrylamide removal is effective, but costs increase and sustainability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The biocatalyst is continuously recovered and reused through membrane filtration, maintaining continuous acrylamide removal capability without requiring continuous addition of new enzyme. This continuous reuse maintains productivity while reducing enzyme consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The biocatalyst is recovered after each treatment cycle and reused in subsequent cycles, significantly reducing the total quantity of enzyme required for large-scale production while maintaining effective acrylamide removal rates.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The process effectively reduces acrylamide content while preserving the taste and aroma of the final product, allowing for the reuse of the biocatalyst and reducing environmental and economic costs.
Implementation Method 1
Dividing the aqueous preparation into two streams to obtain a retentate (R1) and a permeate (P1)
Implementation Method 2
Contacting the permeate (P1) with an acrylamide-reducing biocatalyst
Implementation Method 3
a process for removing or reacting acrylamide from an aqueous preparation to produce a final product with a reduced content of acrylamide, which involves the use of a biocatalyst for degrading acrylamide
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates inter alia to the field of the production of foods and stimulants, more particularly coffee products and coffee substitute products having a reduced acrylamide content. The invention provides a method for removing acrylamide from various food matrices, more particularly from a coffee or coffee substitute product matrix, by using a biocatalyst to degrade acrylamide.