Component Extraction From Cell-Wall Microorganisms Using Enzymes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional industrial processes for obtaining proteins, vitamins, fats, and sugars from cell-wall-comprising microorganisms achieve low yields due to the use of rough mechanical processes or aggressive chemicals, necessitating a more gentle and efficient method.
Innovation Solution
A biotechnological process involving bead milling, high-pressure homogenization, ultrasound treatment, and enzymatic treatment, optionally combined with cytolysis, to dissolve the cell wall and release components like proteins, vitamins, and fats in high yields without disrupting the cell completely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rough mechanical processes or aggressive chemicals are used to break down the cell wall and membrane, then the cell wall is effectively broken down, but the yield of native substances is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rough mechanical processes with enzymatic treatment to break down the cell wall. Specific enzymes (cellulases, hemicellulases, pectinases, etc.) are used to selectively degrade cell wall components without disrupting the cell membrane, thereby preserving native substances and achieving high yields while maintaining gentle processing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the processing parameters from harsh mechanical/chemical conditions to mild enzymatic conditions with controlled temperature (40-60°C), pH (5.0-6.5), and treatment time (1-6 hours). This parameter optimization enables effective cell wall breakdown while preserving the integrity and native state of intracellular substances.
2Manufacturing precision
If aggressive chemicals are used to break down the cell wall, then the cell wall is effectively broken down, but the native state of components is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes aggressive chemical treatments with specific enzymatic systems that selectively target cell wall components (cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin) without affecting the cell membrane or intracellular native substances. This selective enzymatic approach maintains the native state and stability of proteins, vitamins, fats, and sugars while achieving effective cell wall breakdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces enzymes as intermediary agents that mediate between the cell wall structure and the extraction process. These enzymes act as specific mediators that break down cell wall barriers without directly contacting or damaging the native intracellular components, thereby preserving their natural state and composition.
3Manufacturing precision
If the cell wall is completely disrupted, then all components are released, but the yield and quality of native substances decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cell structure treatment into two distinct stages: first, selective cell wall breakdown using specific enzymes to create porosity without membrane disruption; second, controlled cytolysis or extraction to release intracellular components. This segmentation allows differential treatment of cell wall versus cell membrane, optimizing native substance yield while maintaining process selectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using enzymatic treatment to break down only the cell wall to a controlled extent (creating porosity of 10-50% without complete disruption). This partial breakdown is sufficient to enable component release while avoiding the excessive disruption that would damage native substances and reduce yield and quality.
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 enables the extraction of interstitial and extracellular compounds, such as sugars, oligosaccharides, fibers, vitamins, and enzymes, in a native state with high yields, suitable for use as nutrient compositions, food products, and pharmaceutical ingredients.
Implementation Method 1
a bead milling step
Implementation Method 2
a high-pressure homogenization step
Implementation Method 3
a high-pressure homogenization step
Implementation Method 4
an ultrasound treatment step
Implementation Method 5
an ultrasound treatment step
Implementation Method 6
an enzymatic treatment step
Implementation Method 7
an enzymatic treatment step
Implementation Method 8
a cytolysis step
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a biotechnological process for obtaining components from microorganisms with a cell wall, comprising a process step selected from the group consisting of a bead milling step, a high-pressure homogenization step, an ultrasound treatment step or a combination thereof (step a)), an enzymatic treatment step (step b)), and optionally a cytolysis step (step c)). The invention further relates to the use of the components obtained by the biotechnological process as nutrient composition, food product, food supplement, foodstuffs, food ingredients, pharmaceutical ingredients, feed ingredients, cosmetics, biofertilizer, soil additive or culture medium for cell cultures.