Granular De-dusting Material for Enzyme Preparations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing granular enzyme products pose a risk of dust inhalation, leading to respiratory allergies and occupational asthma, and current methods to reduce dust, such as liquid preparations or enzyme granulates, suffer from enzyme instability and complexity in production.
Innovation Solution
A granular de-dusting material composed of 30-60 wt% cold-swelling potato starch, 5-40 wt% vegetable oil, and 5-35 wt% flour is used to effectively reduce dust content in enzyme preparations without the need for water or drying, allowing for simple mixing and safe handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If granular enzyme products are used to facilitate homogeneous distribution and ease of handling, then ease of operation is improved, but dust particles are formed that can be inhaled causing respiratory allergies and occupational asthma
Solution Approach 1:
A de-dusting agent comprising vegetable oil and flour is introduced as an intermediary substance between the enzyme particles and the environment. This agent coats the enzyme particles, binding dust-reducing properties to the granular product while maintaining ease of handling during normal operations
Solution Approach 2:
The dust-reducing properties are achieved by changing the surface parameters of the enzyme granules through coating with vegetable oil and flour. This modifies the physical-chemical properties of the particle surface, reducing dust formation while preserving the granular form's handling advantages
2Object-affected harmful factors
If liquid enzyme preparations are used to reduce dust content, then dust inhalation risk is reduced, but enzyme stability decreases and enzyme-inactivation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite granular product combining enzyme, de-dusting agent, and carrier material. This composite structure maintains the solid granular form's enzyme stability while incorporating dust-reducing properties through the vegetable oil and flour coating, avoiding the instability problems of liquid preparations
3Object-affected harmful factors
If enzyme granulates with low dust content are produced by intensive mixing with water and drying, then dust content is reduced, but the process complexity increases and enzyme stability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The de-dusting agent is incorporated into the granular product during the granulation process itself, before the product is finalized. This preliminary incorporation of vegetable oil and flour ensures dust-reducing properties are built-in from the start, eliminating the need for subsequent separate de-dusting treatments
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using water and drying to reduce dust, the invention changes the approach by using a coating mechanism with vegetable oil and flour. This alternative parameter change achieves dust reduction without requiring intensive mixing with water and subsequent drying steps, simplifying the overall process
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 solution results in a granular enzyme product that is essentially dust-free, maintaining enzyme stability and ease of use in bakery applications, with improved safety for handling and reduced risk of respiratory issues.
Implementation Method 1
comprising 30-60 wt% cold-swelling potato starch
Implementation Method 2
comprising 5-40 wt% vegetable oil
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a granular de-dusting material comprising30-60 wt. % cold-swelling potato starch,5-40 wt. % vegetable oil,5-35 wt. % flour,all weight percentages based on dry weight of the granular de-dusting material.The invention further relates to a method for preparing a de-dusted enzyme product, comprising contacting a granular enzyme preparation, containing dust particles, with a granular dedusting material according to the invention, whereby the dust particles adhere to the granular de-dusting material, whereby the de-dusted enzyme product is obtained.The invention further relates to a de-dusted enzyme product.