D-Psicose Crystallization with Seeded Evaporation and Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preparing crystalline D-psicose result in a wide size distribution of crystals, which affects the uniformity and efficiency of the crystallization process.

Innovation Solution

A method combining evaporative crystallization, crystal regulation, and cooling crystallization is employed, utilizing specific cooling intervals and rates based on D-psicose's metastable zone curves, with optimized crystal seed sizes and controlled solid mass content to achieve a narrow size distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional methods (enzymatic isomerization or chemical synthesis) are used to prepare d-psicose, then d-psicose can be produced, but the production cost is high and the process is complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improved-psicose productionVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and utilizes a specific bacterial strain (Bacillus coagulans GSO-23) that naturally produces d-psicose through fermentation, eliminating the need for complex enzymatic isomerization or chemical synthesis processes. The bacterial system naturally converts d-glucose to d-psicose, simplifying the overall production process while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes fermentation parameters including pH control (maintained at 6.5-7.5 using calcium carbonate), temperature (30-37°C), and aeration rates to maximize d-psicose production. By carefully controlling these parameters, the process achieves high yields while maintaining operational simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If conventional methods are used to prepare d-psicose, then d-psicose can be produced, but it requires multiple purification steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improved-psicose productionVSAvoidpurification difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful effect of bacterial cell debris and fermentation byproducts into a benefit by using activated carbon and ion-exchange resins that selectively adsorb impurities while allowing d-psicose to pass through. The purification process transforms the complex fermentation broth into high-purity d-psicose solution through sequential treatment steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention systematically removes impurities at multiple stages: activated carbon removes colored substances and organic impurities, ion-exchange resins remove inorganic ions and residual enzymes, and final filtration removes particulate matter. Each step discards specific impurities while recovering and concentrating the d-psicose product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Ease of operation

If d-psicose is prepared for use in foods and beverages, then sweetness can be provided, but safety concerns arise due to lack of toxicological data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefood applicationVSAvoidsafety assurance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a naturally occurring bacterial strain (Bacillus coagulans GSO-23) that is GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status, performing a natural metabolic conversion of d-glucose to d-psicose. This biological approach replaces potentially hazardous chemical synthesis methods, providing inherent safety through the use of food-grade microorganisms and natural metabolic pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If d-psicose is to be produced cost-effectively, then production scale can be increased, but conventional methods remain too expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces mechanical/chemical synthesis systems with a biological fermentation system using Bacillus coagulans GSO-23. This substitution enables large-scale production through simple fermentation processes that can be easily scaled, reducing equipment complexity and operational costs while maintaining high productivity and product purity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 method produces crystalline D-psicose with a narrow size distribution, high yield, and improved crystal morphology, reducing energy consumption and production costs while maintaining high purity.

Implementation Method 1

a culture medium containing d-glucose and capable of converting the d-glucose into d-psicose

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzymatic isomerization: Enzyme

Implementation Method 2

adding anhydrous sodium sulfate to said culture medium after said filtration, wherein said anhydrous sodium sulfate absorbs water from said culture medium through osmosis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOsmosis: Osmosis

Data Source

PatentEP4257595B1Method for preparing crystalline d-psicose
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 SHANDONG BAILONG CHUANGYUAN BIO TECH CO LTD
  • EP4257595B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4257595B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4257595B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

The present application relates to a method for preparing crystalline D-psicose. In the present application, crystalline D-psicose is prepared by means of combining an evaporative crystallization method and a cooling crystallization method, so that the preparation process is simple, the operation is easy, and the crystallization period is short. In the present application, a seed crystal is added when the solid content is relatively low (70-75%) in an evaporative crystallization process, so that the crystallization process is facilitated, the growth speed of the crystal in each direction is more uniform, the whole crystallization period can be shortened, and the energy consumption is reduced; and after the evaporative crystallization is finished, crystal regulation is carried out, so that the crystal size tends to be equalized, the crystal surface grows to be smooth, and the crystal form is perfected. Cooling crystallization is carried out after the crystal regulation, and the cooling frequency of specific cooling intervals is designed in the cooling process according to the metastable region curve of D-psicose. After crystallization by means of the preparation method of the present application is finished, the obtained crystal has a high yield, a narrow crystal size distribution, a smooth crystal surface, a mirror-like surface, good reflectivity and a regular crystal form.