Lacto-N-biose pH Control for Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lacto-N-biose (LNB) in liquid compositions undergoes thermal decomposition and loss of bioactivity when subjected to heat treatment at temperatures of 65°C or higher, making it challenging to sterilize products containing LNB without compromising its effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
Adjusting the pH of LNB-containing liquid compositions to a range of 2.0 to 5.5 before heating at temperatures of 65°C or higher inhibits thermal decomposition, allowing for the production of stable heated liquid and dried LNB products suitable for use in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heat treatment at 65°C or higher is performed on liquid composition containing LNB, then sterilization is achieved, but LNB undergoes thermal decomposition and loss of bioactivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the pH of the liquid composition to an acidic range (pH 2.0-5.5) before heat treatment. This chemical parameter modification creates a protective environment that suppresses thermal decomposition of LNB during sterilization heating at 65°C or higher, allowing both sterilization effectiveness and LNB stability to be achieved simultaneously
2Stability of the object's composition
If pH is adjusted to acidic range (2.0-5.5) before heat treatment, then thermal decomposition of LNB is suppressed, but additional process step is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adjusting the pH to the acidic range (2.0-5.5) before the heat treatment step. This preparatory pH adjustment creates a stable chemical environment that protects LNB during subsequent heating, preventing thermal decomposition without requiring complex equipment or additional processing steps during the heating phase
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 effectively suppresses thermal decomposition of LNB, maintaining its bioactivity and stability during heat treatment, enabling its safe incorporation into various products without loss of functionality.
Implementation Method 1
LNB within a liquid composition containing LNB exhibits low thermal stability and undergoes rapid thermal decomposition under neutral or alkaline conditions, but when the pH is within a range from not more than 5.5 to not less than 2.0, the progress of the thermal decomposition reaction is inhibited
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of treating a liquid composition containing lacto-N-biose, the method including: preparing a liquid composition containing lacto-N-biose having a pH at 25°C of not less than 2.0 and not more than 5.5, and heating the liquid composition at a temperature of 65°C or higher. The present invention can provide a treatment method that enables thermal decomposition of lacto-N-biose to be suppressed when a liquid composition containing lacto-N-biose is heated at a temperature of 65°C or higher, a liquid preparation containing lacto-N-biose that is treated using the treatment method, a dried product produced from such a liquid preparation containing lacto-N-biose, and a method of producing a product containing lacto-N-biose.