Mannoprotein Solution Turbidity Reduction for Wine Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for stabilizing wines against tartaric acid precipitation, such as physical treatments and chemical additives, are either time-consuming, alter the wine's colloidal equilibrium, or are not naturally derived, and existing mannoprotein solutions suffer from turbidity and instability issues, making them unsuitable for long-term use.

Innovation Solution

A process to produce a clear, stable mannoprotein solution by subjecting yeast cells to enzymatic hydrolysis, membrane filtration, and heat treatment to remove impurities and microorganisms, resulting in a solution that can be used at high concentrations without diluting the wine and maintaining stability over time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mannoprotein is added to wine to prevent tartaric acid precipitation, then wine stabilisation is improved, but turbidity and precipitation of by-products occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewine stabilisationVSAvoidturbidity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes harmful by-products (proteases, beta-glucanases, and other impurities) from the mannoprotein preparation through a multi-step purification process involving heat treatment, filtration, and centrifugation, retaining only the stabilizing mannoprotein components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the mannoprotein solution by controlling pH (adjusting to specific ranges), temperature (heat treatment at 60-80°C), and concentration to optimize stabilisation efficacy while minimizing turbidity formation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If mannoprotein powder is dissolved in water to create concentrated solution for wine addition, then dosing precision is improved, but dissolution time and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing precisionVSAvoiddissolution time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-dissolving mannoprotein powder in water under controlled conditions (specific pH and temperature) before wine addition, and pre-removing by-products through heat treatment and filtration, so that the solution is ready for immediate use without requiring extended dissolution time during wine processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses water as an intermediary medium to dissolve mannoprotein powder and create a concentrated solution that can be precisely dosed and easily added to wine, avoiding the need for direct powder addition to wine

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If physical treatments are used to prevent KHT crystallisation, then wine stability is improved, but colloidal equilibrium is altered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewine stabilityVSAvoidcolloidal equilibrium
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses mannoprotein, a natural additive that can be easily added and works locally to prevent crystallisation, rather than requiring extensive physical treatments that affect the entire wine matrix and its colloidal balance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If meta-tartaric acid is used as additive to prevent KHT crystallisation, then wine stabilisation is improved, but additive stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewine stabilisationVSAvoidadditive stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses mannoprotein, a stable natural polymer that maintains its stabilising properties over long periods, unlike meta-tartaric acid which hydrolyses quickly, providing durable wine stabilisation without requiring frequent reapplication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 solution effectively prevents tartaric acid precipitation in wines, is microbiologically stable, and can be used at high concentrations without causing turbidity, extending its shelf life and maintaining its stabilizing activity.

Implementation Method 1

subjecting a suspension of yeast cells to enzymatic hydrolysis, preferably under the action of exogenous enzymes and after inactivation of native yeast enzymes, whereby said yeast cells are degraded and mannoprotein and other yeast components are solubilised and released from the degraded yeast cells

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzymatic hydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

e) inactivating protease by subjecting the mannoprotein solution obtained after step b) heat treatment at a temperature of 70°C or higher

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat treatment: Heating

Implementation Method 3

inactivating protease by subjecting the mannoprotein solution obtained after step b) heat treatment at a temperature of 70°C or higher

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProtease inactivation:

Data Source

PatentEP2137212B1Preparation of mannoprotein solutions
Publication Date: 2015.06.03 RYMCO INT

AI summary

The present invention describes a mannoprotein solution which has a turbidity, when measured by nephelometry at a concentration of 200 g/l of mannoprotein and at a pH in the range of pH 4 to pH 8 lower than 70 NTU, preferably lower than 60 NTU, more preferably lower than 50 NTU, most preferably lower than 40 NTU. This solution can be advantageously used in the stabilisation of wine against tartrate salt precipitation because it is very clear and can be added directly to the wine without causing any turbidity.