LPMO Enzyme System for Cereal Hydrolysis Yield
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing processes for producing malt extracts generate a significant insoluble fraction, such as Barley Spent Grains, which are often discarded or used as animal feed, rather than being valorized for new applications, making the process costly and environmentally unsustainable.
Innovation Solution
A process that uses enzymatic hydrolysis with lytic polysaccharides monooxygenase (LPMO) in combination with carbohydrate hydrolysing enzymes and proteases to convert insoluble matter in un-malted green barley into a soluble cereal-based extract, reducing the production of insoluble fractions and improving the nutritional profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If traditional enzymatic hydrolysis is used to produce malt extract, then the process is simple and well-established, but a significant insoluble fraction (Barley Spent Grains) is generated that must be discarded or used as animal feed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing LPMO enzymes that operate under different mechanistic parameters compared to traditional enzymes. LPMO enzymes use oxidative mechanisms with copper cofactors and oxygen as electron acceptors, enabling them to attack crystalline cellulose and recalcitrant substrates that traditional hydrolytic enzymes cannot efficiently degrade. This parameter change in enzymatic mechanism transforms the insoluble fraction into soluble components, increasing extraction yield from 71 kg to 90 kg per 100 kg of dry cereal matter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining LPMO enzymes with traditional carbohydrate hydrolysing enzymes and proteases in a multi-enzyme system. This composite enzymatic approach creates synergistic effects where LPMO enzymes oxidatively modify recalcitrant substrates to make them more accessible to hydrolytic enzymes, while proteases simultaneously degrade proteins. This composite system efficiently converts the insoluble fraction into soluble matter, eliminating waste while maintaining process feasibility.
2Productivity
If the insoluble fraction is discarded or used as animal feed, then the process is straightforward, but it is costly and environmentally unsustainable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the hydrolysis process by introducing oxidative enzymes (LPMO) that can break down crystalline cellulose and recalcitrant lignocellulosic materials. This parameter change enables complete utilization of the cereal substrate, converting previously indigestible insoluble matter into soluble extract components. The result is a significant increase in extraction yield from 71 kg to 90 kg per 100 kg of dry cereal matter, transforming waste into valuable product.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful aspect of waste generation into a benefit by using LPMO enzymes to transform the insoluble fraction (previously discarded as waste or low-value animal feed) into high-value soluble extract. The recalcitrant cellulose and lignocellulosic materials that caused processing difficulties and waste are now efficiently degraded by the oxidative action of LPMO, turning a problem into a productivity-enhancing solution.
3Quantity of substance
If traditional enzymes are used for hydrolysis, then the process is well-established, but the nutritional profile of the extract can be improved by converting insoluble matter to soluble matter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite enzymatic system combining LPMO enzymes with traditional carbohydrate hydrolysing enzymes and proteases. This composite system works synergistically: LPMO enzymes oxidatively modify recalcitrant cellulose and hemicellulose to increase their accessibility, while traditional hydrolytic enzymes complete the degradation into soluble sugars. Proteases simultaneously degrade proteins into soluble peptides and amino acids. This composite approach maximizes the conversion of insoluble matter to soluble fraction, improving both quantity and nutritional quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing enzymes with different mechanistic parameters - LPMO enzymes use oxidative chemistry with copper cofactors and molecular oxygen, while traditional enzymes use hydrolytic mechanisms. This parameter diversity enables the system to attack a broader range of substrates including crystalline cellulose, amorphous hemicellulose, and proteins, thereby maximizing the conversion of insoluble matter into soluble fraction with enhanced nutritional profile.
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
This process increases the yield of soluble fraction by approximately 19% (from 71 kg to 90 kg per 100 kg of dry cereal matter, doubles the protein content, and reduces total carbohydrates by 8.2%, resulting in a more nutritious and cost-effective malt extract.
Implementation Method 1
lytic polysaccharides monooxygenease (LPMO) in combination with carbohydrate hydrolysing enzymes and at least one protease
Implementation Method 2
carbohydrate hydrolysing enzymes
Implementation Method 3
at least one protease
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates a process for preparing a cereal-based extract; said process comprises the steps of: (i) providing a whole grain cereal, (ii) subjecting the whole grain cereal to a single grinding and subsequently combining the whole grain cereal and water, (iii) subjecting the slurry of ground whole grain cereal and water to an enzymatic hydrolysis step, (iv) separating a soluble fraction of the whole grain cereal from an insoluble fraction through filtration, decantation or centrifugation and wherein the enzymatic hydrolysis step makes use of lytic polysaccharides monooxygeneases (LPMOs) in combination with carbohydrate hydrolysing enzymes and at least one protease. The invention also relates to a concentrated cereal-based extract ingredient comprising based on a dry matter basis, 40-90% (w/w) of carbohydrate, 5-20% (w/w) of protein, 0.5-20% (w/w) of total dietary fiber, optionally 1-4% (w/w) of ash and 0-10% (w/w) of fat, and such a extract obtained with the process.