Recombinant Milk Proteins With Non-Native PTMs for Native-Like Functionality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional milk production raises concerns about animal welfare and environmental impact, and plant-based alternatives fail to replicate the flavor and nutritional profile of milk proteins with identical or similar functionalities.
Innovation Solution
Development of recombinant milk proteins with non-native post-translational modifications (PTMs) such as glycosylation, phosphorylation, methylation, and others, to create dairy substitutes that mimic native milk proteins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional milk production via animal husbandry is used, then milk proteins with natural functionalities are obtained, but animal welfare concerns and environmental impact worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates recombinant milk proteins that copy the structure and functionality of native milk proteins through genetic engineering. The recombinant proteins are designed to replicate the amino acid sequences and post-translational modifications of natural milk proteins, enabling them to perform identical functional roles without requiring animal husbandry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses recombinant DNA technology as an intermediary to transfer the functional characteristics of native milk proteins into microbial or cellular expression systems. This intermediary approach allows the production of functionally equivalent proteins through controlled biological synthesis rather than traditional animal farming.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If plant-based alternatives are used to replace milk, then animal welfare concerns are addressed, but the ability to replicate flavor and nutritional profile of milk proteins deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs precise control of post-translational modification parameters to achieve native-like protein characteristics. By adjusting glycosylation patterns, phosphorylation sites, and other PTM parameters during recombinant protein expression, the invention replicates the nuanced flavor and nutritional properties of natural milk proteins that plant-based alternatives cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite recombinant protein structures that combine multiple functional elements within a single protein molecule. These composite proteins integrate various post-translational modifications and amino acid sequences to reproduce the complex functional profile of native milk proteins, surpassing the capabilities of simple plant-based substitutes.
3Ease of manufacture
If recombinant milk proteins with non-native PTMs are produced, then production concerns are addressed, but the complexity of achieving identical functionalities to native proteins increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary design of post-translational modification sites into the recombinant protein constructs before expression. By pre-engineering specific glycosylation sites, phosphorylation residues, and other PTM locations into the protein sequence, the invention simplifies the manufacturing process while ensuring the proteins achieve their intended native-like functionalities.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are recombinant milk proteins with non-native PTMs, food products comprising the recombinant milk proteins, and methods of obtaining the recombinant milk proteins and for manufacturing the food products.