Carbohydrate Composition with High Fibre via Acid Dextrinization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current carbohydrate compositions, such as dextrins, have limitations including low fibre content, high cost, and complex production processes, which hinder their effectiveness as bulking agents and dietary fibre sources in food, feed, and pharmaceutical applications.

Innovation Solution

A carbohydrate composition with a dextrose equivalence of 20 to 25 and a fibre content of 10 to 90% by weight, produced by treating a starch or starch-containing composition with a moisture content of 6 to 15% and a pH of 1.0 to 3.0 at temperatures between 60°C to 150°C for at least 5 minutes, simplifying the production process and enhancing fibre content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional dextrinization processes are used to produce carbohydrate compositions, then the product has good bulking properties and solubility, but the fibre content is low and production cost is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefibre contentVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes key process parameters including using moisture content of 5-20% (higher than conventional processes), pH of 3-6 (less acidic), and temperature of 80-180°C to achieve both high fibre content and reduced production cost while maintaining bulking properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary acid treatment of starch before dextrinization to modify the starch structure, which facilitates subsequent fibre formation during the dextrinization process, thereby achieving high fibre content without additional processing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If starch is heated at high temperatures with very low moisture content to produce dextrin, then the dextrin has good solubility and bulking properties, but the process requires high energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoluble fibre contentVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses moisture content of 5-20% (significantly higher than conventional <5%) and temperature of 80-180°C (lower than conventional 120-300°C) to reduce energy consumption while still producing soluble fibre with good bulking properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces acid as an intermediary catalyst that enables the dextrinization process to proceed at lower temperatures and higher moisture content, thereby reducing energy requirements while maintaining product quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If complex multi-step processes are used to produce high fibre carbohydrate compositions, then the fibre content increases, but the process complexity and production time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefibre contentVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines acid treatment and dextrinization into a single integrated process step, eliminating the need for separate treatment stages while achieving high fibre content (10-90% by weight), thereby simplifying the overall process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary acid modification of starch that prepares the substrate for fibre formation during dextrinization, allowing fibre content to reach 10-90% through a single process rather than multiple sequential steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 resulting carbohydrate composition serves as a cost-effective, efficient bulking agent and soluble fibre source, improving digestive health and offering improved properties compared to existing products, with a simplified production process that reduces energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

Dextrinization process is known for many years and comprises heating starch at high temperatures and very low moisture content, typically below 5%, in the presence of an acid catalyst

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDextrinization: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 2

heating starch at high temperatures and very low moisture content, typically below 5%, in the presence of an acid catalyst

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS10844139B2Carbohydrate composition and process for making a carbohydrate composition
Publication Date: 2020.11.24 CARGILL INC

AI summary

The invention relates to a carbohydrate composition characterized in that it has a dextrose equivalence of from 20 to 25 and further characterized in that it has a fibre content of from 10 to 90% by weight of the composition on dry basis. The invention further relates to a process for making a carbohydrate composition. Further the invention relates to a food, feed, pet food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and industrial products comprising the carbohydrate composition of the present invention and other ingredients and to the use of the carbohydrate composition of the present invention.