Gene Expression Control of Malt PYF During Malting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The beer brewing industry faces the challenge of premature yeast flocculation (PYF) during fermentation, leading to poor beer quality due to slow sugar degradation and acetaldehyde reduction, and existing detection methods are time-consuming and lack predictive capabilities for the malt production process.

Innovation Solution

A malt PYF regulation method based on gene expression analysis during the malting process, involving transcriptome analysis to identify tracking genes, using specific primers for reverse transcription and multiplex PCR, and applying principal component analysis to predict PYF performance, allowing for process adjustments to improve malt quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional empirical methods are used to control malt PUF, then the control process is simple, but the precision and stability of malt PUF content are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemalt PUF content precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a gene expression regulation model before actual malting production. The model includes building a prediction system using gene expression data (such as LPCAT3, DGAT2, AGPAT6) to forecast malt PUF content, allowing operators to adjust brewing parameters in advance to achieve desired PUF levels, rather than relying on empirical trial-and-error methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring gene expression levels during malting and using this information to adjust processing parameters. The system measures gene expression, compares it with target values, and automatically adjusts malting conditions to maintain optimal PUF production, creating a closed-loop control system that improves precision while managing complexity through automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If gene expression regulation model is implemented, then the control precision of malt PUF is improved, but the operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemalt PUF content controlVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by designing an automated control system that performs gene expression analysis and automatically adjusts malting parameters without requiring extensive manual intervention. The system self-regulates by using the gene expression data to trigger appropriate control actions, reducing the operational burden on personnel while maintaining high precision in malt PUF content control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If multiple gene expression indicators are monitored, then the prediction accuracy of malt PUF increases, but the detection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemalt PUF prediction accuracyVSAvoidgene expression detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple gene expression detection functions into a unified analysis system. Instead of separately analyzing each gene (LPCAT3, DGAT2, AGPAT6, etc.), the system combines their expression data into an integrated prediction model that forecasts malt PUF content. This consolidation reduces detection complexity by providing a single comprehensive output from multiple input parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4512911B1Method for regulating and controlling malt PYF on basis of gene expression in malting process and use thereof
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 TSINGTAO BREWERY CO LTD

AI summary

The application provides a malt PYF regulation method based on gene expression during a malting process and application thereof, the method including steps of screening of tracking genes, designing primers, extracting total RNA, preparing cDNA template by reverse transcription reaction, performing multiplex PCR reaction, performing electrophoresis and analyzing gene expression level of product fragments, predicting and improving PYF performance of the malt etc. The application has the characteristics of short time consumption, high detection efficiency and high accuracy.