Mannitol Production from Slaughter Waste Microbes

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of mannitol from fructose is hindered by the health concerns associated with excessive fructose consumption, and existing methods lack efficiency in utilizing waste materials like stomach manure from slaughterhouses, which requires significant space and investment for processing.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing stomach manure microbes and lactic acid bacteria to convert fructose from slaughter waste into mannitol, with the aid of enzymes like glucose-isomerase, and optimizing pH conditions to produce propionic acid and other valuable compounds, thereby enhancing waste material utilization and reducing environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If stomach manure is processed using conventional waste treatment methods (composting or biogas production), then the waste can be utilized, but considerable space and expensive investment are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste treatment feasibilityVSAvoidprocessing space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical and biological waste treatment systems (composting facilities, biogas digesters) with a biochemical conversion system using isolated bacterial strains and enzymatic reactions. This substitution enables mannitol production in compact bioreactors, dramatically reducing the space required for waste treatment while maintaining effective processing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and isolates specific functional components (mannitol-producing bacteria, fructose-converting enzymes) from the complex stomach manure ecosystem. By separating these key elements and using them in controlled biochemical reactions, the system achieves efficient waste conversion without requiring large-scale infrastructure, thus reducing processing space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If fructose is used as a sweetener in foodstuffs, then sweetening value is provided, but health concerns arise due to excessive consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesweetener productionVSAvoidhealth risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts fructose, which poses health risks when consumed excessively, into mannitol through bacterial fermentation. Mannitol is a sugar alcohol with lower caloric content and fewer adverse health effects. This transformation turns a potentially harmful substance into a beneficial alternative sweetener, addressing health concerns while maintaining the sweetening function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the sweetener by converting fructose (a monosaccharide) into mannitol (a sugar alcohol) through enzymatic isomerization and bacterial reduction. This parameter change alters the metabolic properties of the sweetener, reducing its impact on blood sugar and insulin levels, thereby mitigating health risks associated with excessive fructose consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If conventional mannitol production methods are used, then mannitol can be produced, but efficiency in utilizing waste materials is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemannitol production efficiencyVSAvoidwaste material utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a multi-functional system where stomach manure serves multiple purposes: it provides fructose substrate for mannitol production, serves as a source of natural microbes, and acts as a waste treatment feedstock. This universal utilization of waste material maximizes productivity while minimizing substance loss, as the same waste stream simultaneously supports both sweetener production and waste remediation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a self-service approach by utilizing microbes naturally present in stomach manure to carry out the fermentation process. The waste material itself provides the biological agents needed for its own conversion, eliminating the need for external inoculum preparation and reducing production costs. This self-service mechanism enhances both efficiency and waste utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 method achieves high mannitol yields from fructose-rich waste, producing valuable by-products like propionic acid and fertilizers, while mitigating health risks associated with fructose consumption by converting it into a lower-energy mannitol suitable for various applications.

Implementation Method 1

mannitol that forms as a result of bacterial metabolism normally comes from fructose

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Implementation Method 2

the starch from corn, barley, potato, or some other plant, can be split, with the help of amylase and amyloglucosidase enzymes, into glucose

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzymatic hydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 3

which is then, with the help of glucose- isomerase enzymes, converted into fructose

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzymatic isomerization: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentEP3055418B1Method for producing mannitol by using intestinal bacteria from slaughtered animals
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 HAKALEHTO EINO ELIAS
  • EP3055418B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1

AI summary

Slaughter waste normally contains considerable amounts of so-called stomach manure. Its biotechnical treatment rapidly decreases the waste problem. With the help of the method and device according to this invention stomach manure is first used as a biocatalyst in a process that produces mannitol. After that the lactic acid that at the same time farms into the slaughter waste Is converted with the help of microbes into propionic acid or other useful compounds.