Lactococcus lactis R2207 Short Lag Phase Preferment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern bread-making processes using short fermentation times with yeast alone lack the complexity and flavor of traditional breads, as they do not utilize bacteria starter cultures due to incompatibility with shorter pre-fermentation times, resulting in more alcoholic and less flavorful products.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a biologically pure culture of Lactococcus lactis strain R2207 with a short lag phase into the preferment process, allowing for a 1 to 5-hour fermentation to produce a dough mixture with increased acidity and improved texture, which mimics traditional bread-making processes without extending fermentation time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional long pre-fermentation times with yeast and bacteria are used, then flavor complexity and dough texture are improved, but production time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflavor complexityVSAvoidpre-fermentation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the key parameter of bacterial strain selection by using a specific Lactococcus lactis strain with a short lag phase (less than 1 hour), enabling traditional flavor development in a modern short pre-fermentation timeframe of 1-5 hours

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The bacteria are added to the preferment stage to pre-develop flavor and acidity before the main dough mixing, allowing the short pre-fermentation to achieve flavor complexity traditionally requiring longer times

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If modern short fermentation with yeast alone is used, then production time is reduced, but flavor complexity and acidity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefermentation timeVSAvoidflavor complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges yeast fermentation with lactic acid bacteria fermentation in the preferment stage, combining the speed advantages of modern processes with the flavor complexity of traditional bacterial fermentation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

By introducing Lactococcus lactis bacteria into the preferment, the patent changes the biochemical parameters of the fermentation process to produce lactic acid and complex flavors while maintaining the short 1-5 hour timeframe

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If bacteria starter cultures are added to short preferment, then flavor complexity is improved, but the lag phase incompatibility causes process inconsistency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflavor complexityVSAvoidprocess standardization
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent selects a specific Lactococcus lactis strain engineered or selected to have a lag phase of less than 1 hour, changing the temporal parameter of bacterial adaptation to be compatible with modern short pre-fermentation processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The use of a standardized bacterial strain with known and controlled lag phase characteristics provides predictable and reproducible fermentation behavior, enabling process standardization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 method results in breads with a more complex flavor and less alcoholic taste, comparable to traditional breads, while maintaining leavening and texture quality, by quickly releasing lactic acid and activating anti-molding preservatives, thus extending shelf-life.

Implementation Method 1

allowing the preferment to ferment for 1 to 5 hours

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Implementation Method 2

The at least one lactic acid bacteria strain has a short lag phase allowing the release of lactic acid during the fermentation until the pH becomes inhibitory

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLactic acid production:

Implementation Method 3

COz dissolves in the dough in the form of carbonic acid (H 2 CO 3 ) which in turn drives the dough pH from about 6.5-6 to about 5

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas dissolution: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 4

Such a pH contributes to activating anti-molding organic acid-based preservatives (such as propionic, acetic and fumaric acids)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectpH-dependent activation:

Data Source

PatentEP3036319B1Modern preferment method for manufacturing dough mixture
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 LALLEMAND USA INC
  • EP3036319B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3036319B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a lactic acid bacteria strain, Lactococcus lactis with accession number IDAC 270613-01, having a short fermentation lag phase of 1 to 5 hours which is compatible with modern bread making methods. Pre-ferment methods which use the strain for manufacture of leavened products and the leavened products produced therefrom are also disclosed.