Protein Isolate Production via pH Cycling and Enzyme Treatment

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for isolating proteins from defatted meals, such as rapeseed, are inefficient in removing impurities like glucosinolates, phytates, and phenolics, resulting in protein products with poor quality and limited usability due to the presence of allergens and undesirable compounds.

Innovation Solution

A process involving acidic and alkaline solvent extractions at specific pH ranges, combined with enzyme treatment and membrane processing, to produce high-quality protein products that are low in impurities and suitable for various applications, including food and animal feed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional alkaline extraction is used to isolate proteins from defatted meal, then protein extraction is achieved, but the protein product contains high levels of impurities such as glucosinolates, phytates, and phenolics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotein extraction yieldVSAvoidimpurity content (glucosinolates, phytates, phenolics)

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The extraction process is divided into multiple sequential steps with different pH conditions: initial alkaline extraction to solubilize proteins, followed by acidification to precipitate proteins while leaving impurities in solution, then re-alkalinization to redissolve purified proteins. This segmentation allows selective separation of proteins from impurities at different stages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The process utilizes systematic changes in pH parameters to control protein solubility and separation. By cycling pH between alkaline (solubilization), acidic (precipitation), and alkaline (redissolution) conditions, the process exploits the amphoteric nature of proteins to achieve purification while maintaining extraction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If single-step alkaline extraction is used, then the process is simple, but the protein product has poor quality and limited usability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction process complexityVSAvoidprotein product quality and usability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The extraction process is divided into multiple sequential steps with different pH conditions: initial alkaline extraction to solubilize proteins, followed by acidification to precipitate proteins while leaving impurities in solution, then re-alkalinization to redissolve purified proteins. This segmentation allows selective separation of proteins from impurities at different stages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The process utilizes systematic changes in pH parameters to control protein solubility and separation. By cycling pH between alkaline (solubilization), acidic (precipitation), and alkaline (redissolution) conditions, the process exploits the amphoteric nature of proteins to achieve purification while maintaining extraction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If protein isolation is performed without enzyme treatment, then the process is faster, but protein extractability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction speedVSAvoidprotein extractability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Cellulase enzyme treatment is applied before the main extraction process to pre-digest cellulose and hemicellulose in the meal matrix. This preliminary action breaks down structural barriers that trap proteins, making them more accessible to subsequent alkaline extraction and significantly improving overall protein extractability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 process yields protein products with enhanced extractability, improved quality, and expanded usability, including good fat and water binding properties, making them suitable for processed meat products and 'power drinks', while being free from soybean allergens.

Implementation Method 1

extracting the defatted meal with an acidic solvent at a pH of between 2 and 6 to obtain a mixture of treated meal and a first solution of proteins

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcidic extraction: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

extracting the treated meal with an alkaline solvent at a pH of between 9 and 12.5 to obtain a mixture of meal residue and a second solution of proteins

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAlkaline extraction: Solvation

Implementation Method 3

separating the unprecipitated protein from any undesirable components in the solution by membrane filtration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMembrane filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 4

adjusting the pH of the second solution of soluble proteins to between about 2 and about 9 to obtain a precipitated protein product

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIsoelectric precipitation: Precipitation

Data Source

PatentUS9179692B2Production of protein isolates

Publication Date: 2015.11.10 TRASS OLEV

AI summary

Embodiments of the process for isolating proteins from a defatted meal comprise extracting the defatted meal with an acidic solvent at a pH of between 2 and 6 to obtain a mixture of treated meal and a first solution of proteins. The process further comprises extracting the treated meal with an alkaline solvent at a pH of between 9 and 12.5 to obtain a mixture of meal residue and a second solution of proteins. The meal residue is separated from the second solution of proteins, and the proteins are separated from the second solution of proteins to obtain one or more protein products.