Oat Liquid Foaming via Quadri-Enzyme Hydrolysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing oat-based dairy alternatives face challenges such as high production costs, complex processing steps, loss of natural oat flavor, and inadequate liquid uniformity, foaming capacity, and emulsifying capacity, while also failing to retain complete nutrients and enhance immunity.

Innovation Solution

A method involving micro-milling and quadri-enzyme hydrolysis using α-amylase, β-amylase, transglutaminase, and transglucosidase to process oats, which results in oligo-saccharide oat compositions and drinks with improved properties like liquid uniformity, foaming capacity, and immunomodulatory efficacy, retaining natural oat flavor and nutrients.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional enzyme treatment methods are used to produce oat-based dairy alternatives, then production costs are reduced, but liquid uniformity, foaming capacity, and emulsifying capacity are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidliquid uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the enzyme treatment process into four distinct stages using different enzymes: α-amylase for starch breakdown, β-amylase for maltose production, transglucosidase for oligosaccharide formation, and transglutaminase for protein crosslinking. This segmentation allows each enzyme to target specific components, improving liquid uniformity and foaming capacity while maintaining cost-effectiveness through optimized processing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If complex processing steps are used to obtain high yield oat β-glucan, then functional ingredient content is improved, but processing complexity and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveβ-glucan contentVSAvoidprocessing steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple enzyme treatments (α-amylase, β-amylase, transglucosidase, and transglutaminase) into a single integrated processing sequence. This merging approach achieves high yield oat β-glucan extraction with improved functional ingredient content while reducing processing complexity compared to conventional multi-step methods, as all enzyme treatments occur in sequence within one processing framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If extensive enzyme treatment is used to enhance functional ingredients, then isomaltooligosaccharide content increases, but enzyme treatment time and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveisomaltooligosaccharide contentVSAvoidenzyme treatment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic enzyme treatment with four distinct enzyme stages added sequentially: α-amylase first, followed by β-amylase, then transglucosidase, and finally transglutaminase. This periodic action allows each enzyme to work optimally for its specific function, achieving high isomaltooligosaccharide content while minimizing total treatment time compared to using a single enzyme for extended periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional processing methods are used to produce oat drinks, then production cost is reduced, but natural oat flavor is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidnatural oat flavor
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes processing parameters including enzyme addition sequences, treatment temperatures, and pH conditions to preserve natural oat flavor compounds. By carefully controlling these parameters during the four-stage enzyme treatment, the method maintains cost-effectiveness while preventing loss of volatile aromatic compounds that give oats their characteristic flavor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

5Reliability

If filtration operations are used to improve product clarity, then liquid uniformity is improved, but nutrient retention and raw material utilization rate decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid uniformityVSAvoidnutrient retention
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical filtration operations with enzymatic treatment mechanisms. The four enzymes (α-amylase, β-amylase, transglucosidase, and transglutaminase) chemically break down and modify oat components to achieve liquid uniformity without physical filtration, thereby retaining complete nutrients and maximizing raw material utilization rate.

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

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 produces oat products with enhanced β-glucan and isomaltooligosaccharide content, improved stability and emulsifying capacity, and immunomodulatory effects, making them suitable as milk substitutes and immune system enhancers.

Implementation Method 1

adding α-amylase, β-amylase, transglutaminase and transglucosidase to carry out enzyme treatment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme hydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

quadri-enzyme hydrolysis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzymatic breakdown: Enzyme

Implementation Method 3

crosslinking of glutamine and lysine units of a protein isolate by means of transglutaminase to increase the viscosity of the product

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 4

milling oats to obtain micronized oat powder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical size reduction: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentUS20220338496A1Oat-based liquid having enhanced foaming and well-balanced taste quality properties, and immunomodulatory efficacy, process for preparing the same by quadri-enzyme hydrolysis and use of the same
Publication Date: 2022.10.27 V PRODS CORP

AI summary

The present invention relates to an oligo-saccharide oat liquid composition, an oligo-saccharide oat powder composition and an oligo-saccharide oat drink having improved properties and immunomodulatory efficacy (for example, promotion of proliferation of immune cells), a micro-milling process involving quadri-enzyme hydrolysis for preparing the same, and uses thereof.