Rapeseed Meal Biotransformation for Animal Feed Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rapeseed meal, a common oilseed byproduct, contains anti-nutritional compounds like glucosinolates that can be toxic to animals, limiting its use in animal feed despite its nutritional benefits, and existing methods do not effectively enhance its nutritional value for animal feed applications.
Innovation Solution
A biotransformation method using Bacillus subtilis natto microorganisms for fermentation of rapeseed meal, followed by separation and purification of biosurfactants and polymers, which are then incorporated into animal feed as probiotic and prebiotic components, enhancing nutritional value and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If rapeseed meal is used as animal feed, then protein content and certain amino acids (methionine, cysteine) are improved, but toxic compounds (glucosinolates) cause harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies biotransformation using Bacillus subtilis natto to convert toxic glucosinolates and anti-nutritional factors in rapeseed meal into beneficial substances. The microorganisms metabolize the harmful compounds during fermentation, transforming the toxic substrate into safe and nutritious feed with improved protein digestibility and added probiotic value.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of rapeseed meal through controlled fermentation. By adjusting parameters such as moisture content (20-85%), temperature (20-50°C), pH (6.5-7.5), and fermentation time (6-48 hours), the toxic compounds are degraded while nutritional value is enhanced, converting the meal into a safe probiotic feed supplement.
2Quantity of substance
If traditional fermentation methods are used, then biosurfactants are produced, but the process is complex and requires multiple separation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fermentation and separation process into distinct functional stages: (1) solid-liquid fermentation in bioreactor, (2) centrifugal separation of cells and supernatant, (3) activated carbon adsorption of biosurfactants, (4) solvent extraction, and (5) purification. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall process control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses activated carbon as an intermediary substance to facilitate biosurfactant separation. The activated carbon adsorbs biosurfactants from the fermentation broth, acting as a mediator that selectively binds the target molecules and allows easy separation from the liquid phase, followed by desorption with organic solvents to obtain purified biosurfactants.
3Quantity of substance
If rapeseed meal contains high cell wall polysaccharides, then fiber content is improved, but digestibility by endogenous enzymes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by conducting biotransformation fermentation before the meal is used as feed. The Bacillus subtilis natto pre-treats the cell wall polysaccharides through enzymatic degradation during fermentation, breaking down complex structures into more digestible forms before the feed reaches the animal, thereby improving subsequent digestibility while preserving fiber content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical or chemical pre-treatment methods with biological enzymatic action. Instead of using mechanical grinding or chemical treatments to improve digestibility, the patent uses endogenous enzymes from Bacillus subtilis natto to naturally degrade cell wall polysaccharides, achieving better digestibility improvement with minimal energy input and no harmful chemical residues.
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 results in high-purity, environmentally friendly animal feed products with improved nutritional value and antimicrobial properties, reducing harmful substance residues and increasing feed efficiency and animal health, with faster weight gain and lower gas emissions in poultry.
Implementation Method 1
A biotransformation method using Bacillus subtilis natto microorganisms for fermentation of rapeseed meal
Implementation Method 2
The proteases secreted by Bacillus subtilis (natto) play an important role in the production of natto: they have an optimum activity at pH=8.5 and pH=10.3-10.8. Hydrolysing soy proteins
Implementation Method 3
the liquid fraction goes to the centrifuge, in which microbial cells and solid contaminants with diameters greater than 0.1 μm are centrifuged
Implementation Method 4
directed to the absorber in which sorption of the biosurfactant produced by microorganisms is carried out on the activated carbon
Implementation Method 5
it is directed from the centrifuge to precipitation in the reactor or, according to the fourth option, it is concentrated in the evaporator
Data Source
AI summary
The method and system for processing meal from oilseeds after oil extraction includes biotransformation of meal and its cascade, sequential refining leading to the separation of the product or products with high added value, and finally obtaining the remaining biomass with an increased nutritional value compared to the original post-extraction meal material.