Proline-Specific Endoproteases for Beer Haze Without Foam Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beer haze proteases are not sufficiently specific, leading to incomplete hydrolysis and require additional filtration steps, and they impair beer foam formation, while existing solutions are expensive.
Innovation Solution
Use of endoproteases with at least 75-100% sequence identity to specific SEQ IDs, which are added to beer or wort to reduce haze without affecting foam stability, optionally combined with other enzymes like ALDC, glucoamylase, or maltogenic alpha-amylase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If broad spectrum proteases such as papain are used to proteolyze hydrophobic proteins, then haze formation is prevented, but beer foam formation is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using proline-specific endoproteases that target only specific peptide bonds (those containing proline residues) rather than broad-spectrum proteases that act on all protein bonds. This selective enzymatic action reduces haze-causing hydrophobic proteins while preserving foam-stabilizing proteins, thus resolving the contradiction between haze prevention and foam formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the specificity parameter of the protease enzyme from broad-spectrum to proline-specific. By selecting endoproteases with high specificity for proline residues (as defined by sequence identity to SEQ ID NOs 1-4 and 16), the enzymatic action is tuned to affect only the subset of proteins responsible for haze, leaving foam-stabilizing proteins intact.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If present commercial proline specific endoproteases are used to reduce beer haze, then haze reduction is achieved, but the cost is excessive and complete hydrolysis is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs cheap short-living objects by utilizing endoproteases from commonly available fungi such as Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, and Trichoderma reesei. These enzymes are produced through simple fermentation processes using inexpensive substrates like corn starch or molasses, making them significantly cheaper than commercial alternatives while achieving complete hydrolysis of haze-causing proteins.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the source and specificity parameters of the endoprotease to achieve both cost-effectiveness and complete hydrolysis. By selecting proline-specific endoproteases from filamentous fungi with optimized sequences (at least 75-100% identity to SEQ ID NOs 1-4 and 16), the enzyme exhibits enhanced activity and specificity, enabling complete degradation of hydrophobic proteins at lower costs.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If additional filtration steps are used to assist haze removal, then haze reduction is improved, but process complexity and time are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by extracting and removing haze-causing hydrophobic proteins through selective enzymatic hydrolysis before filtration. The proline-specific endoprotease completely degrades these proteins into small peptides and amino acids, which remain in solution and pass through filters without requiring complex filtration assistance, thus simplifying the overall process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful aggregation of hydrophobic proteins into a beneficial process by using endoproteases to completely hydrolyze them. Instead of merely filtering out large aggregates, the enzyme action breaks down the proteins at the molecular level, transforming the haze problem into a complete degradation process that eliminates the need for additional filtration steps.
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
Achieves significant haze reduction (up to 80%) and increased foam stability (up to 110%) without additional filtration, using cost-effective and specific proteases.
Implementation Method 1
use acid proteases such as papain to proteolyze the hydrophobic proteins and hence prevent haze formation
Implementation Method 2
stabilization of beer foam
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to endoproteases. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of endoproteases for reduction or elimination of beer haze.