Hydrogenated Glucose Polymer Reducing Sugar Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogenation processes for glucose polymers fail to achieve a very low content of reducing sugars while preserving the structure and dietary fiber content, leading to thermal instability and reactivity issues, especially at acidic and neutral pH.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a hydrogenation step followed by an alkalization step, with specific pH adjustments and conditions, to significantly reduce the quantity of reducing sugars in glucose polymers containing dietary fiber, maintaining their structural integrity and fiber content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrogenation is carried out under conventional conditions to reduce reducing sugars, then reducing sugar content decreases, but dietary fiber structure degrades significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by conducting hydrogenation at controlled temperatures (110-120°C) and pH levels (5.0-6.0) to reduce reducing sugars while preserving dietary fiber structure. The process uses specific pressure conditions (400-700 psi) and controlled reaction times to achieve the desired reduction in reducing sugar content without degrading the polymer structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by adjusting the pH to 5.0-6.0 before hydrogenation and using activated nickel catalyst preparation in advance. The starch hydrolysate is pre-treated to optimize its structure for selective hydrogenation of reducing sugars while protecting the dietary fiber bonds from degradation.
2Quantity of substance
If heat treatment is used to form atypical bonds in glucose polymers, then dietary fiber content increases, but reducing sugar content increases and thermal stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by specifically targeting and removing reducing sugars through hydrogenation after the heat treatment has already formed the desired dietary fiber structure. This two-step approach first creates the atypical bonds for dietary fiber formation, then selectively removes the problematic reducing sugars that cause thermal instability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of reducing sugars (thermal instability) into a benefit by using them as targets for selective hydrogenation. The reducing sugars, which are responsible for Maillard reactions and thermal degradation, are transformed into non-reducing sugar alcohols through hydrogenation, thereby eliminating their harmful effects while preserving the dietary fiber structure.
3Quantity of substance
If hydrogenation is performed at higher temperatures and pressures to reduce reducing sugars more effectively, then reducing sugar content decreases, but energy consumption increases and process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes process parameters by using moderate temperatures (110-120°C) and pressures (400-700 psi) combined with pH control (5.0-6.0) and activated nickel catalyst to achieve effective reducing sugar reduction. This parameter optimization avoids the need for excessively high temperatures and pressures, simplifying the equipment requirements and process control while maintaining effectiveness.
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 process achieves a glucose polymer composition with a reducing sugar content of less than 800 ppm, exhibiting improved thermal stability and reduced reactivity across a wide pH range, suitable for food and pharmaceutical applications.
Implementation Method 1
a step of bringing the aqueous solution into contact with a hydrogenation catalyst to provide, optionally after correction of this pH, a solution having a pH ranging from 4 to 7; a step of hydrogenation in a reactor of said solution
Implementation Method 2
bringing the aqueous solution into contact with a hydrogenation catalyst
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a hydrogenated glucose polymer composition having a total fibre content of more than 50% as determined by the AOAC 2001.03 method, and a dry weight reducing sugar content, SR, lower than 800 ppm. The invention also relates to a method for producing said composition. The invention is also directed to a food or pharmaceutical product comprising said composition.