Polysaccharide Freeze-Drying Protective Agent for Starter Viability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing microbial freeze-drying protective agents are ineffective in maintaining the viability and fermentation vitality of direct-to-vat starters, leading to reduced cell survival rates and prolonged fermentation startup times, especially during storage.
Innovation Solution
A traditional Chinese medicine polysaccharide extract freeze-drying protective agent composed of Poria cocos, Atractylodes macrocephala, Radix codonopsis polysaccharide extracts, L-tyrosine, α-cyclodextrin, and polyethyleneimine is used to reduce cell damage during freeze-drying, enhancing cell survival and maintaining fermentation activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vacuum freeze-drying is carried out directly without protective agents, then the drying process can be completed, but cell damage occurs, reducing survival rate and fermentation vitality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces traditional Chinese medicine polysaccharide extracts as intermediary protective agents between the cells and the harsh freeze-drying environment. These polysaccharides form a protective matrix around cells during freezing and drying, mediating the stress conditions and preventing direct damage to cell structures, thereby maintaining high survival rates and fermentation vitality after the process
Solution Approach 2:
The protective agents are added to the cell suspension before the freeze-drying process begins. The polysaccharides provide beforehand cushioning by forming a protective environment that cushions cells against the mechanical and osmotic stresses of freezing and sublimation, preventing damage before it occurs rather than attempting to repair it afterward
2Reliability
If existing microbial freeze-drying protective agents are used, then the drying process can proceed, but protection effect is poor, resulting in low viability and slow fermentation startup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite protective system combining multiple traditional Chinese medicine polysaccharide extracts (Poria cocos, Atractylodes macrocephala, and Radix codonopsis) rather than using a single conventional protective agent. This composite approach creates synergistic effects where different polysaccharides contribute complementary protective mechanisms, resulting in superior cell viability and fermentation vitality compared to existing single-agent systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the composition ratios and concentrations of different polysaccharide extracts to achieve optimal protective parameters. By adjusting the physical and chemical parameters of the protective agent system (composition, concentration, molecular weight distribution), the patent maximizes cell protection efficiency and maintains high fermentation vitality after freeze-drying
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 protective agent significantly improves cell survival rates and fermentation performance, maintaining high viability and activity even after 150 days of storage, with a stable fermentation process similar to fresh starters.
Implementation Method 1
Vacuum freeze-drying has become the mainstream drying method. First, the sample is frozen at low temperature (the water in the sample freezes into ice), and then the ice crystals sublimate under vacuum conditions to remove water
Implementation Method 2
reduce or prevent the damage to cells caused by freeze-drying or rehydration, and maintain the original physiological and biochemical characteristics and biological activity of cells
Data Source
AI summary
A traditional Chinese medicine polysaccharide extract freeze-drying protective agent, a direct-to-vat starter and preparation methods thereof are disclosed, which belong to the technical field of feed starter. The compound traditional Chinese medicine polysaccharide extract freeze-drying protective agent includes Poria cocos polysaccharide extract, Atractylodes macrocephala polysaccharide extract, Radix codonopsis polysaccharide extract, L-tyrosine, α-cyclodextrin and polyethyleneimine. Its application in the freeze-drying protection of direct-to-vat starter of aquatic fermentation feed can reduce the damage to the cells caused by freeze-drying, improve the survival rate of the cells in the starter after freeze-drying, effectively prolong the storage period of the starter, and ensure that the fermentation activity remains at a high level during storage.