Multi-Enzyme Composition for Low-Temperature Raw Starch Hydrolysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing processes for producing fermentation products from starch-containing materials, such as ethanol, face inefficiencies in raw starch hydrolysis due to suboptimal enzyme compositions, particularly in processes conducted below the starch gelatinization temperature.

Innovation Solution

The use of enzyme compositions comprising specific glucoamylases and alpha-amylases, optionally with cellulolytic and proteolytic enzymes, to enhance the saccharification and fermentation of starch at temperatures below the gelatinization temperature, improving the yield of fermentation products like ethanol.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If starch hydrolysis is conducted below gelatinization temperature using conventional enzyme compositions, then energy consumption is reduced and process simplicity is improved, but fermentation product yield is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidfermentation product yield

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the enzyme composition parameters rather than changing the physical state of starch. Specifically, it uses a multi-enzyme system comprising amyloglucosidase, alpha-amylase, and beta-glucosidase in optimized ratios, along with controlling pH (4.5-6.5) and temperature (20-40°C) parameters to achieve effective hydrolysis below gelatinization temperature, thus maintaining energy savings while improving yield

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials principle by creating a composite enzyme system that combines multiple enzyme activities. The enzyme composition includes amyloglucosidase (40-80 units/g), alpha-amylase (20-50 units/g), and beta-glucosidase (10-30 units/g), which work synergistically to overcome the limitations of single-enzyme systems and achieve high fermentation product yield under low-energy conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If starch is converted to dextrins using liquefying enzyme at temperatures above 100°C, then hydrolysis efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases and process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrolysis efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by conducting hydrolysis below gelatinization temperature rather than above it. Instead of cooking starch to gelatinize it and then hydrolyzing, the method directly hydrolyzes native starch at 20-40°C using a multi-enzyme system, thereby achieving high hydrolysis efficiency without the energy-intensive heating step

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from conventional high-temperature (>100°C) liquefaction to low-temperature (20-40°C) hydrolysis. This parameter change is enabled by using a specialized enzyme composition that remains active at lower temperatures, thus improving energy efficiency while maintaining hydrolysis effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If raw starch hydrolysis is performed without cooking using single-enzyme systems, then process simplicity is improved, but enzyme activity and fermentation product yield are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess complexityVSAvoidenzyme activity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials principle by formulating a composite enzyme system with three distinct enzyme activities: amyloglucosidase (40-80 units/g), alpha-amylase (20-50 units/g), and beta-glucosidase (10-30 units/g). This composite approach enables complete starch degradation pathways while maintaining process simplicity, achieving high enzyme activity without complex process steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enhances the yield of fermentation products by optimizing enzyme activity and efficiency in raw starch hydrolysis processes, outperforming conventional enzyme compositions.

Implementation Method 1

The enzyme composition comprises glucoamylase and alpha-amylase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzyme catalysis: Enzyme

Implementation Method 2

raw starch hydrolysis processes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 3

fermented into the desired fermentation product using a fermenting organism such as a yeast strain derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentEP4717767A2Enzyme composition and uses thereof

Publication Date: 2026.04.01 NOVOZYMES AS

AI summary

The invention relates to enzyme compositions comprising a glucoamylase, an alpha-amylase, and optionally a cellulolytic composition and/or a protease. The invention also relates to the use thereof in processes of producing sugars and/or fermentation products from starch-containing material by saccharifying and/or fermenting starch-containing material at a temperature below the initial gelatinization temperature.