Phospholipase C Enzyme Vegetable Oil Degumming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current degumming methods for vegetable oils result in substantial oil losses due to the emulsifying properties of phospholipids, and existing phospholipase enzymes are not efficient in hydrolyzing all major phospholipids like phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl inositol, and phosphatidic acid.
Innovation Solution
A polypeptide with phospholipase C activity, derived from Hypocrea virens, is used to hydrolyze these phospholipids into diacylglycerol and phosphate ester, reducing the need for multiple enzymes and minimizing oil loss by efficiently breaking down phospholipids at a broad temperature and pH range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If traditional degumming methods using water, acid, or caustic treatments are used to separate phospholipids, then phospholipid removal is achieved, but substantial oil losses occur due to emulsifying properties of phospholipids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/chemical separation methods (centrifugation, acid treatment, caustic treatment) with an enzymatic system. Phospholipase C enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of phospholipids into diacylglycerol and phosphate esters, eliminating the need for mechanical separation and reducing oil losses associated with traditional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the specific catalytic parameters of phospholipase C enzyme, which operates effectively at mild temperatures (30-50°C) and neutral pH conditions. This changes the operational parameters from harsh chemical treatments to gentle enzymatic conditions, preserving oil quality and reducing losses while maintaining phospholipid removal efficiency.
2Reliability
If multiple phospholipase enzymes are used to hydrolyze all major phospholipids (PC, PE, PI, PA), then complete phospholipid hydrolysis is achieved, but device complexity and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phospholipase C enzyme which possesses universal activity toward all major phospholipid types (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidyl inositol, and phosphatidic acid). This single enzyme performs multiple hydrolysis functions that would otherwise require several different enzymes, simplifying the system while achieving complete phospholipid degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple specialized phospholipases into a single phospholipase C enzyme system. Instead of using separate enzymes for each phospholipid type, the invention combines all hydrolysis activities into one versatile enzymatic system, reducing process complexity and enzyme management requirements.
3Productivity
If high concentrations of phospholipase enzyme are used to ensure complete phospholipid hydrolysis, then hydrolysis efficiency is improved, but enzyme cost and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the high catalytic efficiency and specificity of phospholipase C enzyme, which naturally possesses optimal activity toward all major phospholipid substrates. The enzyme's inherent catalytic properties allow it to achieve complete hydrolysis at low concentrations, eliminating the need for high enzyme dosages and reducing costs while maintaining high 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 polypeptide effectively hydrolyzes at least 80% of phospholipids at low enzyme concentrations, reducing phosphorus content in vegetable oils and enhancing oil yield by minimizing oil absorption in the gum phase.
Implementation Method 1
Phospholipase C (PLC) cleaves the glycerophosphate bond of phospholipids to produce a 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) and a phosphate or a phosphate ester
Implementation Method 2
Phospholipase C is in such separation particularly useful as it creates a diglyceride from the phospholipid
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a polypeptide having phospholipase C activity, selected from the group consisting ofi. a polypeptide comprising a mature polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2;ii. a polypeptide that has least 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity to the mature polypeptide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2;iii. a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid that hybridizes under medium stringency, preferably under high stringency conditions to the complementary strand of the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO:1;iv. a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid that has at least 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identity to the mature polypeptide coding sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1.A process for degumming a vegetable oil comprising contacting a vegetable oil comprising phospholipids with a polypeptide having phospholipase C activity of the invention or a composition of the invention, wherein phospholipids are hydrolyzed into diacylglycerol and phosphate ester and/or phosphate, separating the phosphate ester and/or phosphate from the vegetable oil wherein a degummed vegetable oil is obtained.