Microbial Cell Extract via Low-Temp Disruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing microbial-derived food products require multiple processing steps, including defatting and RNA removal, to reduce nucleic acid content, which are inefficient and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A method involving mechanical disintegration of microbial biomass at low temperatures using bead milling or high-pressure homogenization, followed by solid-liquid separation, to produce a microbial cell extract with a bimodal particle size distribution, which is then recombined to achieve desired properties without denaturing proteins or other labile molecules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple processing steps (defatting, RNA removal) are used to reduce nucleic acid content, then the nucleic acid content is reduced, but the process complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes cell walls and membranes through enzymatic treatment (lysozyme for gram-positive bacteria, beta-glucanase for gram-negative bacteria) and mechanical disruption, thereby eliminating the need for multiple subsequent processing steps (defatting, RNA removal) while achieving low nucleic acid content in the final microbial protein product
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs cell wall degradation and membrane disruption as preliminary actions before protein extraction, using enzymatic treatments and mechanical disruption to prepare the microbial biomass in advance, thereby simplifying the overall processing sequence and reducing resource consumption
2Productivity
If mechanical disintegration is performed at high temperatures, then cell disruption is enhanced, but protein denaturation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter during mechanical disintegration to below 35°C, thereby maintaining protein structure stability while achieving effective cell disruption through optimized mechanical means (bead milling, high-pressure homogenization) rather than thermal energy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces thermal energy with mechanical energy for cell disruption, using bead milling and high-pressure homogenization at low temperatures to achieve cell lysis without denaturing proteins, thereby preserving protein functionality and product quality
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 simplifies the production process, preserves functional properties of proteins, and results in a microbial cell extract with high protein and dietary fiber content, excellent water and oil holding capacity, and improved texture when used in food structures, mimicking meat-like qualities.
Implementation Method 1
mechanical disintegration of microbial biomass at low temperatures using bead milling or high-pressure homogenization
Implementation Method 2
subjecting the disintegrated biomass to solid-liquid classification
Data Source
AI summary
A process for preparing a microbial cell extract for food use is described, comprising mechanically disrupting cells (eg, yeast cell), and separating the disrupted cells into fractions. The fractions can be recombined and further processed to provide texture or other qualities which resemble meat.