Algal Biomass Bleaching via Light Exposure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current processing technologies for algal biomass fail to effectively remove the odor, taste, and color of micro-algal flours, limiting their use as alternatives to traditional protein sources due to residual brackish characteristics, which hinders consumer acceptance and broader application in food products.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the mixing of algal biomass with an aqueous solution, followed by light exposure and heating, which includes desalting, stirring, and freeze-drying phases to produce a white, odorless, and tasteless flour while maintaining nutritional properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional processing technologies are used for algal biomass, then the production process is simple, but the color, odor and taste of the flour cannot be effectively removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical processing methods with a photochemical approach using light exposure. The algal biomass is exposed to light sources (sunlight or artificial lamps) to induce photo-oxidation reactions that degrade carotenoid pigments and other color-producing compounds, thereby removing color, odor and taste without complex mechanical processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the algal biomass through controlled light exposure conditions. By adjusting light intensity, exposure time, and environmental factors (temperature, pH), the process achieves effective bleaching while maintaining nutritional value. The process transforms the biochemical composition of the biomass to eliminate harmful sensory characteristics
2Object-affected harmful factors
If light exposure is applied to bleach algal biomass, then color, odor and taste are removed, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-service approach where the algal biomass itself serves as the reactant for the photochemical reaction. The natural pigments and compounds within the biomass absorb light energy and undergo self-oxidation, eliminating the need for external chemical agents or complex processing equipment. This simplifies the overall process despite using light exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary substance - oxygen from the air - to facilitate the photo-oxidation process. Light exposure generates reactive oxygen species that mediate the degradation of color-producing compounds. This intermediary approach allows the process to proceed with simple equipment while achieving effective bleaching
3Quantity of substance
If algal flour is used in food products, then protein source is provided, but consumer acceptability is reduced due to brackish characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful brackish odor and taste into beneficial characteristics by using light-induced photo-oxidation to degrade the compounds responsible for these unwanted sensory properties. The same light exposure that removes color also eliminates the brackish characteristics, transforming the flour into a consumer-acceptable product while preserving protein content
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 successfully transforms algal biomass into a white, odorless, and tasteless flour with reduced carotenoid content, enhancing its usability and nutritional value, overcoming previous technological limitations and improving consumer acceptability.
Implementation Method 1
light exposure of the suspension to achieve bleaching
Implementation Method 2
heating, which includes desalting, stirring, and freeze-drying phases
Implementation Method 3
freeze-drying phases to produce a white, odorless, and tasteless flour
Data Source
AI summary
The process for bleaching algal biomass comprises at least the following phases of:—supply of at least one algal biomass to be bleached;—mixing of the algal biomass with an aqueous solution to obtain a suspension;—light exposure of the suspension to achieve bleaching.