Enzyme Rice Modifier for Cold-Storage Texture and Moisture Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cooked rice deteriorates in texture and moisture retention over time, especially during low-temperature storage, and cooking with enzymes like amylase leads to burning and sticking issues, affecting formability and production suitability.

Innovation Solution

A grain food modifying agent containing glucoamylase and α-glucosidase is used to enhance texture, suppress aging, and improve water retention, while preventing sticking during cooking and improving formability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If cooked rice is stored at low temperatures, then preservation is improved, but texture deteriorates and becomes hard and crumbly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreservation periodVSAvoidtexture stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by treating rice with amylase and glucoamylase before storage. This pre-treatment modifies the starch structure in advance, creating a more stable gelatinized starch network that resists retrogradation during cold storage, thereby preventing hardening and maintaining texture stability throughout the preservation period

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of starch through enzymatic modification. By controlling enzyme concentration, treatment time, and temperature, the starch undergoes controlled hydrolysis and retrogradation, creating a modified starch structure with improved stability that prevents texture deterioration during low-temperature storage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If enzymes such as amylase are added to cook rice, then texture improvement is achieved, but burning and sticking to the rice cooker pot occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetexture qualityVSAvoidburning and sticking
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes multiple parameters including enzyme concentration (amylase 0.01-1%, glucoamylase 0.01-1%), treatment temperature (40-60°C), and treatment time (1-24 hours) to achieve the desired balance between texture improvement and preventing burning/sticking during cooking

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite enzyme system combining amylase and glucoamylase in specific ratios. This composite approach creates a synergistic effect where amylase performs initial starch breakdown and glucoamylase completes the hydrolysis, achieving superior texture modification while controlling the cooking properties to prevent burning and sticking

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Temperature

If cooked rice is heated with microwave oven, then eating temperature is achieved, but moisture evaporates and dry texture results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveserving temperatureVSAvoidmoisture loss
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary enzymatic treatment to modify the starch and protein matrix before heating. This pre-modification creates a structure that better retains moisture during microwave heating, reducing evaporation and preventing the development of dry texture while still achieving the desired serving temperature

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Stability of the object's composition

If starch viscosity is excessive, then texture is improved, but loosening during stirring becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetexture consistencyVSAvoidstirring ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent controls the degree of starch modification by adjusting enzyme concentration, treatment time, and temperature parameters. This optimization achieves the right balance where sufficient viscosity provides good texture consistency, but not so much that it prevents easy loosening and stirring during the cooking process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 agent provides springy cooked rice with enhanced preservation properties, maintains moisture after heating, and prevents sticking to the rice cooker pot, making it easily loosened and superior in formability.

Implementation Method 1

contacting glucoamylase and α-glucosidase with the grain

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme hydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP3530126B1Rice modifier
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 AJINOMOTO CO INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a grain food modifying agent containing glucoamylase and α-glucosidase. Using the modifying agent, grain foods such as cooked rice and the like with superior texture can be provided that maintain suitable softness and texture of grains even after lapse of time.