Native Microbial Protein Preparation With Lipid and Nucleic Acid Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preparing microbial proteins from microorganisms result in denaturation and loss of functional properties due to high lipid and nucleic acid content, leading to reduced shelf-life, flavor, and health concerns, while being costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method involving mechanical separation of lipids using a centrifugal three-phase separator and anion exchange chromatography to reduce lipid and nucleic acid content, respectively, while retaining protein functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional extraction methods using organic solvents are used to remove lipids, then lipid content is reduced, but proteins are denatured and functional properties are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts lipids from microbial cells using supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) instead of conventional organic solvents. The scCO2 selectively dissolves and removes lipids while leaving proteins intact, thus reducing lipid content without causing protein denaturation or loss of functional properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and parameters of the extraction medium by using supercritical carbon dioxide (high pressure and temperature conditions) instead of conventional organic solvents. This parameter change enables selective lipid removal while preserving protein structure and functionality
2Object-generated harmful factors
If distillation at elevated temperature is used to remove solvent residues, then solvent is removed, but proteins are denatured and functional properties are impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses supercritical carbon dioxide which can be easily evaporated and removed by simple pressure release, eliminating the need for high-temperature distillation. The CO2 simply evaporates upon pressure reduction, leaving no harmful residues and preserving protein functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal distillation process with a mechanical pressure release process. By simply reducing pressure, the supercritical CO2 evaporates and is removed, avoiding the need for elevated temperature processing that would denature proteins
3Quantity of substance
If chemical methods involving increased temperature or pH are used to reduce nucleic acid content, then nucleic acid content is reduced, but proteins are denatured and functional properties are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces enzymatic agents (proteases and nucleases) as intermediaries to selectively degrade nucleic acids and cellular debris. These enzymes work under mild conditions that preserve protein structure, reducing nucleic acid content without denaturing functional proteins
4Quantity of substance
If column chromatography is used to remove nucleic acids, then nucleic acid content is reduced, but protein loss increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs endogenous enzymes within the microbial cells (proteases and nucleases) to self-digest nucleic acids and cellular debris after cell disruption. This self-service approach reduces nucleic acid content without requiring external chromatography processes, thereby maintaining high protein yield and productivity
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 achieves high-yield, cost-effective production of native microbial proteins with improved functional properties, enhanced shelf-life, and reduced health risks, suitable for food and dietary supplements.
Implementation Method 1
separating the lipid from the aqueous liquid fraction using mechanical means thereby obtaining an aqueous liquid fraction wherein the aqueous liquid fraction is a lipid reduced aqueous liquid fraction
Implementation Method 2
separating the lipid from the aqueous liquid fraction using mechanical means
Implementation Method 3
anion exchange chromatography to reduce lipid and nucleic acid content, respectively
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of preparing native protein of a microorganism comprising lysing the microorganism, separating lipids from the supernatant, filtering the supernatant and optionally separating nucleic acids, sterilizing the supernatant and/or drying the supernatant. The native proteins can be used for preparing protein preparations which are applied in the production of food or dietary supplements. The invention also relates to food products or dietary supplements comprising the protein preparations.