Equol-Producing Microorganism Fermentation Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing fermented products containing equol-producing microorganisms fail to maintain the equol production ability during fermentation and storage, leading to loss of functionality in equol non-producers who could benefit from these microorganisms.
Innovation Solution
A process involving specific fermentation conditions, such as anaerobic conditions at pH 5.0 or higher, and the addition of ascorbic acid, is used to maintain the equol production ability of microorganisms in fermented products, ensuring stability and retention of equol-producing capabilities during storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If common fermentation methods are used to produce fermented products containing equol-producing microorganisms, then the fermented product can be manufactured, but the equol-production ability of the microorganisms is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling pH at 5.0 or higher during fermentation and storage, and maintaining anaerobic conditions, to prevent loss of equol-production ability in the microorganisms while still enabling fermented product manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by adding ascorbic acid before fermentation to create a protective environment that prevents oxidation and maintains the equol-production ability of microorganisms throughout the fermentation and storage process
2Duration of action of stationary object
If equol-producing microorganisms are stored under low pH conditions or aerobic conditions, then storage is possible, but the equol-production ability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inert atmosphere by maintaining anaerobic conditions during storage to prevent oxidation and preserve the equol-production ability of microorganisms over extended storage periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling pH at 5.0 or higher during storage and adding ascorbic acid to create a protective environment that maintains equol-production ability throughout the storage duration
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 process allows for the production of fermented products with equol-producing microorganisms that retain their functionality, enabling equol non-producers to benefit from the physiological effects of equol, with improved storage stability and commercial viability.
Implementation Method 1
conducting anaerobic fermentation in a medium containing at least one type of daidzein species selected from the group consisting of daidzein glycoside, daidzein and dihydrodaidzein, by using an equol-producing microorganism
Implementation Method 2
adding ascorbic acid to the composition containing equol-producing microorganisms in the state of living cells, the equol-production ability of the equol-producing microorganisms could be stably maintained
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a fermented product containing equol-producing microorganisms in the state of living cells by which equol production ability is maintained. When producing a fermented material by using an equol-producing microorganism, with soybean powder or soybean milk as raw materials, (1) preparing a mother starter by fermentation under anaerobic conditions by using an equol-producing microorganism in the presence of a daidzein species at pH 5.0 or higher, (2) preparing a bulk starter by fermentation under anaerobic conditions by using said mother starter in the presence of a daidzein species at pH 5.0 or higher, and (3) preparing a fermented material by fermentation by using said bulk starter in a medium containing soybean powder or soybean milk, enables production of a fermented material containing microorganisms in the state of living cells in which the equol production ability is maintained.