Lactase Formulation With Anions for Sterile Filtration Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Lactase products cause filter clogging during sterilization, leading to increased production costs and delays due to frequent filter replacements.

Innovation Solution

Formulating lactase products with anions such as malate, tartrate, citrate, gluconate, or ethylenediaminetetraacetate to improve physical stability and filterability, reducing pressure buildup in filtration systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If lactase product is formulated with only glycerol and tap water, then formulation simplicity is maintained, but filterability deteriorates causing frequent filter clogging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformulation simplicityVSAvoidfiltration efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the lactase formulation by adding specific anions (citrate, tartrate, malate, gluconate, or EDTA) to the existing glycerol and water base. This parameter modification transforms the formulation from causing filter clogging to maintaining filterability, resolving the contradiction between formulation simplicity and filtration efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite formulation by combining lactase with specific anions (citrate, tartrate, malate, gluconate, or EDTA) in addition to the base components. This composite approach enhances the physical stability and filterability of the lactase product, preventing filter clogging while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If lactase product is filtered during sterilization, then sterility is achieved, but filter clogging occurs requiring frequent filter replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesterilityVSAvoidproduction delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by adding the anion (citrate, tartrate, malate, gluconate, or EDTA) to the lactase formulation before the sterilization filtration step. This pre-treatment modifies the physical properties of the lactase product, preventing aggregation and clogging during the subsequent filtration process, thereby maintaining both sterility and production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the lactase formulation through anion addition, which modifies the protein stability and prevents aggregation during filtration. This parameter change allows the sterilization filtration to proceed without frequent filter replacements, resolving the contradiction between achieving sterility and avoiding production delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If lactase product is filtered during sterilization, then sterility is achieved, but production costs increase due to multiple filter replacements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesterilityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating the anion (citrate, tartrate, malate, gluconate, or EDTA) into the lactase formulation before sterilization. This pre-treatment prevents filter clogging during the sterilization filtration step, eliminating the need for frequent filter replacements and reducing production costs while maintaining sterility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the formulation parameters by adding specific anions that improve the physical stability and filterability of lactase. This parameter modification prevents filter clogging during sterilization filtration, reducing the frequency of filter replacements and associated costs while ensuring product sterility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If lactase product is filtered during sterilization, then sterility is achieved, but filtration pressure builds up reducing filtration capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesterilityVSAvoidfiltration pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the lactase formulation by adding anions (citrate, tartrate, malate, gluconate, or EDTA), which modify the protein conformation and prevent aggregation. This parameter change maintains low filtration pressure during sterilization filtration, allowing efficient processing while achieving sterility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite formulation combining lactase with stabilizing anions that prevent protein aggregation during filtration. This composite approach maintains filtration pressure at acceptable levels while achieving sterility, resolving the contradiction between pressure control and sterilization effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS20260033510A1Improving filterability of lactase by adding anions selected from malate, tartrate, citrate, gluconate, EDTA or combinations thereof and sterile filtered lactase product obtained
Publication Date: 2026.02.05 KERRY GRP SERVICES INT LTD

AI summary

Sterile filtered liquid lactase composition comprising a lactase, preferably a neutral or acidic lactase, an anion selected from malate, tartrate, citrate, gluconate and/or EDTA and a cation selected from sodium and potassium. Preferably, the composition further comprises a polyol. Addition of the said anions to lactase improves filterability by reducing pressure in a filtration system. Preferably the filtration forms part of an in-line filtration system in the production of a dairy product.