Oat Precursor Yield via Dual Enzyme Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing oat-based precursors result in a significant amount of waste, with the solid content typically discarded or used as animal feed, and there is room for improvement in terms of yield and utilization of oat material constituents.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the preparation of a first slurry by mixing oat material with water and treating it with an enzyme, followed by separation into a first solid and liquid fraction. The first solid fraction, previously considered waste, is then used to create a second slurry with additional enzymes and water, further separating it into a second solid and liquid fraction, thus maximizing the yield of valuable constituents like proteins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the solid content of the oat-water mix is discarded or used as animal feed, then the production process is simple, but the yield of oat material constituents is low and waste is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle by taking the solid content that was previously discarded or used as animal feed and recovering valuable constituents through a second enzyme treatment process. The solid content from the first separation is subjected to cellulase treatment and a second separation process to extract additional proteins and other constituents, thereby converting waste into a valuable second oat-based precursor and significantly increasing overall yield.
2Loss of substance
If the solid content is used as animal feed, then waste is reduced, but the utilization of oat material for human food production is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by creating two different oat-based precursors from the same oat material. The first precursor (from liquid fraction) and second precursor (from solid fraction after cellulase treatment) can both be used for human food production, allowing the system to serve multiple purposes and significantly reducing waste while increasing utilization flexibility.
3Productivity
If a single separation process is used, then the process is simple and fast, but the yield of valuable constituents like proteins is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the preliminary action principle by performing a first enzyme treatment and separation process that prepares the solid content for a second extraction process. The cellulase treatment of the solid content before the second separation is a preliminary action that enables the subsequent extraction of additional valuable constituents, thereby increasing overall yield while managing processing time through staged operations.
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 significantly increases the overall yield of oat material, allowing for a more sustainable use of oats by utilizing the previously discarded solid fraction to produce a second oat-based precursor rich in proteins, thereby reducing waste and enhancing the efficiency of the process.
Implementation Method 1
treating the first slurry with a first enzyme
Implementation Method 2
separating the treated first slurry into a first solid fraction, and a first liquid fraction
Implementation Method 3
mixing the first solid fraction with one or more of a second enzyme and water
Implementation Method 4
separating the second slurry into a second solid fraction, and a second liquid fraction
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method (100) of producing a first oat-based precursor (LF1) and a second oat-based precursor (LF2). The method (100) comprising: preparing (104) a first slurry (S1) by mixing at least an oat material (O) and water (W), treating (108) the first slurry (S1) with a first enzyme (E1), separating (112) the treated first slurry (TS1) into a first solid fraction (SF1), and a first liquid fraction (LF1) that forms the first oat-based precursor (LF1), preparing (116) a second slurry (S2) by mixing the first solid fraction (SF1) with one or more of a second enzyme (E2) and water (W), separating (120) the second slurry (S2) into a second solid fraction (SF2), and a second liquid fraction (LF2) that forms the second oat-based precursor (LF2). A system (200) for producing a first oat-based precursor (LF1) and a second oat-based precursor (LF2) is also provided.