Silk-Derived Peptide Production via Enzymatic Hydrolysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing silk-derived peptides for improving memory and preventing cognitive dysfunction have low yield, long processing time, and poor absorption rates in the human body, limiting their effectiveness as functional food materials.
Innovation Solution
A method involving enzymatic hydrolysis of silk fibroin using a specific enzyme mixture, including bromelain and other proteases, to produce peptides with specific amino acid sequences that can be absorbed quickly and effectively improve cognitive function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If silk protein is used intact or purified by dialysis, then the production process is simple, but the yield is uneconomically low and absorption rate is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by breaking down intact silk protein into smaller peptide fragments through enzymatic hydrolysis. Specific proteases (bromelain, papain, alcalase, neutrase, flavorzyme) cleave the fibroin protein chain at specific sites to produce peptides with molecular weights of 100-5000 Da, which are then absorbed more efficiently by the human body while maintaining high production yield
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of silk protein from intact (high molecular weight) to hydrolyzed peptides (100-5000 Da) through controlled enzymatic treatment. This parameter change improves both absorption rate and cognitive function efficacy while maintaining economic production yield through optimized enzyme selection and reaction conditions
2Ease of manufacture
If enzymatic degradation method is used, then the process is simple, but the degradation rate is very low and yield is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple proteases with different specificities (bromelain from pineapple, papain from papaya, alcalase from Bacillus, neutrase from Streptococcus, flavorzyme from Aspergillus) to work synergistically on silk fibroin. This combination overcomes the limitation of single enzyme low degradation rate while maintaining the simplicity of the enzymatic process, achieving both high yield and complete protein utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite enzymatic system where multiple proteases with different optimal pH ranges, temperatures, and substrate specificities work together. This composite approach ensures comprehensive degradation of fibroin protein chains, producing a diverse mixture of peptides that are both easily absorbed and effective for cognitive function improvement
3Productivity
If acid hydrolysis method is used, then the degradation rate is high and absorption rate is about 90%, but the process is more complex and functional peptide composition may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the harsh chemical acid hydrolysis system with a biological enzymatic system. Instead of using strong acids that require complex neutralization and purification steps, the patent uses proteases that naturally catalyze peptide bond cleavage under mild conditions (physiological pH and temperature), simplifying the overall process while maintaining high degradation efficiency and preserving functional peptide integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces proteases as intermediary catalysts that mediate the breakdown of silk fibroin into absorbable peptides. These enzymes act as biocompatible intermediaries that facilitate protein degradation without the harsh conditions required by acid hydrolysis, preserving the functional integrity of resulting peptides while achieving high absorption rates
4Productivity
If silk protein is used for mass production, then the yield is low, but using hydrolyzed peptides improves absorption and cognitive function efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-hydrolyzing silk fibroin into absorbable peptides before incorporation into functional food products. This advance treatment ensures that when the product is consumed, the peptides are already in an optimally absorbable form, maximizing cognitive function efficacy per unit of protein while improving the effective utilization of the produced material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the molecular weight and structural parameters of silk protein through controlled enzymatic hydrolysis, transforming it from an poorly absorbed intact protein into a mixture of small peptides (100-5000 Da) with high absorption rates. This parameter transformation increases both the effective yield in terms of absorbed material and the cognitive function efficacy per unit dose
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 method enables the production of silk-derived peptides with high yield and rapid absorption, effectively improving cognitive function and memory, particularly in the early stages of cognitive impairment.
Implementation Method 1
a method of producing a peptide for improving memory and preventing or alleviating cognitive dysfunction by enzymatic hydrolysis of silk fibroin
Implementation Method 2
an enzymatic protein is involved in specific binding and cleaves the chains of the silk protein
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for producing a silk-derived peptide. The method for producing a silk-derived peptide may comprise steps of: dissolving silk fibroin; hydrolyzing the dissolved silk fibroin by treatment with an enzyme mixture comprising a first protease, which comprises bromelain, and a second protease comprising any one selected from the group consisting of Flavourzyme, Protamex, neutrase, Veron W, Sumizyme, zingibn, calpain, protease NP, validase, and mixtures thereof; and removing the proteases.