Food Ingredient Conversion Using Electrochemical Enzyme Activation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food ingredient conversion methods and devices are inefficient and costly for large-scale conversion of organic compounds, as they struggle with enzyme and coenzyme concentration limitations and proton balance issues, leading to reduced reaction efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A food ingredient conversion method and device utilizing a reaction vessel with a working electrode, counter electrode, and ion-conducting membrane, where enzymes and coenzymes are immobilized, and protons are transferred between the vessels using an external power supply, enhancing enzymatic reactions through electrochemical activation and ion conduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If enzymes and coenzymes are used in conventional food ingredient conversion methods, then organic compounds can be converted, but enzyme and coenzyme concentration limitations reduce reaction efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electrochemical system with electrodes as intermediaries to mediate the enzymatic reaction. The working electrode and counter electrode facilitate electron transfer, enabling the enzymatic conversion to proceed efficiently without being limited by enzyme and coenzyme concentration. The membrane acts as another intermediary to separate reaction compartments while allowing ion transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the reaction parameters by applying electrical voltage to activate enzymes and coenzymes. This electrochemical activation method transforms the conventional biochemical reaction into an electro-bio hybrid system, where electrical parameters (voltage, current) control the reaction efficiency, thereby overcoming the concentration limitations of biological catalysts.
2Productivity
If conventional conversion methods are used, then organic compounds can be converted, but proton balance issues arise leading to reduced reaction efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism through the electrochemical system. The voltage applied to the working electrode is adjusted based on the reaction progress and proton balance requirements. This feedback control maintains optimal proton concentration in the reaction medium, ensuring sustained high reaction efficiency without proton balance disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane serves as an intermediary that regulates proton transport between reaction compartments. It selectively allows proton passage while maintaining separation, thereby balancing proton concentration and preventing pH disruption that would otherwise reduce reaction efficiency.
3Reliability
If a membrane with ion conductivity is used to separate vessels, then protons can be transferred while organic compounds are prevented from passing, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous membrane material with specific ion conductivity properties. This porous structure allows selective passage of ions (protons) while blocking larger organic molecules. The membrane's inherent material properties provide the separation function without requiring complex mechanical structures, thus balancing reliability with moderate device complexity.
4Productivity
If external power supply is used to activate enzymes and coenzymes, then conversion efficiency improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a continuous electro-bio reaction system where electrical energy is continuously supplied to maintain enzyme and coenzyme activation. This continuous energy input sustains high conversion efficiency throughout the reaction process, making the energy consumption worthwhile by eliminating the need for repeated batch processing and maintaining constant productivity.
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
This approach enables efficient conversion of organic compounds, such as sugars and allergens, by maintaining enzyme activity and proton balance, allowing high-yield conversion with reduced enzyme and coenzyme usage, thus improving reaction efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
activating at least one of the enzyme or the coenzyme by applying a voltage between the working electrode and the counter electrode
Implementation Method 2
performing ion conduction by transferring the proton in the external liquid through the membrane between the first vessel and the second vessel
Implementation Method 3
transferring a proton between the organic compound and the external liquid by an enzymatic reaction using at least one of the activated enzyme or coenzyme
Data Source
AI summary
A reaction vessel includes a first vessel in which a working electrode having at least one of an enzyme or a coenzyme immobilized thereon is disposed, a second vessel in which a counter electrode is disposed, and a membrane that separates the first vessel and the second vessel from each other, prevents passage of an organic compound, and has ion conductivity. A food ingredient conversion method includes activating at least one of the enzyme or the coenzyme by applying a voltage between the working electrode and the counter electrode with an external power supply, transferring a proton between the organic compound and an external liquid by an enzymatic reaction using at least one of the activated enzyme or coenzyme, and performing ion conduction by transferring the proton in the external liquid through the membrane between the first vessel and the second vessel and preventing the organic compound from transferring.