Galacto-oligosaccharide Lactose Removal via Selective Crystallization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) compositions contain high levels of lactose, which can cause lactose intolerance symptoms in a significant portion of the population, and existing methods for reducing lactose content have limitations such as low productivity, contamination risks, and potential loss of bifidogenic effects.
Innovation Solution
A process involving an aqueous solution of GOS with initial lactose content of 10-30 wt % and a specific ratio of gal-β1,2-glc and gal-β1,3-glc to lactose, treated with a lactase enzyme under controlled conditions to reduce lactose content to below 6 wt %, while retaining a high content of bifidogenic disaccharides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional GOS composition is used, then prebiotic effects are provided, but lactose intolerance symptoms occur due to high lactose content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes lactose from the GOS composition through selective crystallization. The process exploits the different solubility characteristics of lactose compared to other GOS components, allowing lactose to be extracted and separated out, thereby eliminating the harmful effect while preserving the beneficial prebiotic oligosaccharides
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the GOS solution, specifically controlling temperature, concentration, and pH to optimize the selective crystallization of lactose. By adjusting these parameters, the solubility difference between lactose and other GOS components is maximized, enabling effective separation
2Quantity of substance
If fermentation process is used to remove lactose, then lactose content is reduced, but productivity decreases and contaminants are formed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the biological fermentation process with a physical-chemical separation method (selective crystallization). This substitution eliminates the need for microbial growth and metabolic processes, thereby avoiding contamination risks and significantly improving productivity while achieving the same goal of lactose removal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple, inexpensive crystallization process that does not require complex bioreactors, nutrient media, or sterile conditions. The method is inherently cleaner and more efficient, requiring no disposal of biological waste or decontamination procedures
3Quantity of substance
If lactase enzyme is used to remove lactose, then lactose is hydrolyzed, but bifidogenic disaccharides are also hydrolyzed causing loss of prebiotic effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes lactose through selective crystallization before any hydrolysis can occur. By physically separating lactose from the GOS mixture through controlled crystallization, the method eliminates the need for enzymatic hydrolysis, thereby preserving all bifidogenic disaccharides intact
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses temperature and solubility as intermediary parameters to achieve selective separation. By controlling the crystallization conditions, lactose is selectively precipitated while other GOS components remain in solution, providing a clean separation without chemical or enzymatic intervention
4Manufacturing precision
If low substrate concentration is used in fermentation, then selectivity is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter to optimize crystallization rather than using low concentrations for fermentation. By working with concentrated GOS solutions and controlling temperature and pH, the patent achieves both high selectivity in lactose removal and high productivity through efficient crystallization kinetics
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 effectively reduces lactose content to clinically acceptable levels, retains a high proportion of bifidogenic disaccharides, and prevents the loss of bifidogenic effects, resulting in a GOS composition that is lactose-free and hypoallergenic.
Implementation Method 1
adding to this solution a lactase enzyme
Implementation Method 2
conducting an enzymatic reaction at 30-50° C. to allow hydrolysis of lactose towards monosaccharides
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an enzymatic process for reducing the lactose content of a galacto-oligosaccharide composition and the production of a high purity galacto-oligosaccharide with a high retention of bifidogenic disaccharides.