Soluble Protein Filtration for High-EAA, Low-Sodium Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protein preparations lack uniformity and high proportions of essential amino acids, specific desirable nutrients, and often contain high levels of sodium, leading to variations in protein quality and undesirable characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A filtration process using enzymes and controlled membrane filtration with specific pore sizes to enrich certain amino acids and compounds, while reducing sodium levels, resulting in a high-quality soluble protein composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional protein preparation methods are used, then production process is simple, but protein quality and uniformity are poor with low proportions of essential amino acids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the protein preparation process into multiple filtration stages with different pore sizes (100-500 nm, then 10-100 nm). Each stage targets specific molecular size ranges to separate proteins from other broth components, achieving progressive purification and concentration of high-quality proteins with uniform essential amino acid profiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses local quality by employing enzymes specifically targeted at modifying certain protein structures or components within the broth. The enzymatic treatment is applied locally to enhance the solubility and amino acid profile of specific protein fractions while leaving other components unaffected, thereby improving overall protein quality without requiring complete process redesign.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional filtration methods are used, then processing time is short, but sodium levels remain high and protein concentration is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by conducting enzymatic treatment before filtration to pre-modify the protein structures, making them more amenable to subsequent filtration and concentration. This preliminary enzymatic step enhances protein solubility and prepares the broth for more efficient filtration, reducing the time required for achieving high protein concentration and low sodium levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by systematically varying filtration parameters including pore size (from 100-500 nm to 10-100 nm), pressure, and flow rate across multiple stages. These parameter adjustments optimize the separation efficiency at each stage, enabling rapid concentration of proteins while effectively removing sodium and other small molecules without excessive processing time.
3Quantity of substance
If high protein concentration is achieved, then nutrition value increases, but solubility may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling pH, temperature, and ionic strength throughout the filtration and concentration process. These parameter adjustments maintain proteins in their solubility-optimal ranges even at high concentrations, preventing aggregation and precipitation. The controlled environment ensures that concentrated proteins remain soluble and bioavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses segmentation by separating proteins into different molecular size fractions through staged filtration with progressively smaller pore sizes. This segmentation prevents over-concentration of specific protein types that could lead to solubility issues, while distributing the protein load across multiple fractions that collectively maintain high overall solubility and nutritional value.
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 produces a soluble protein composition with enhanced levels of essential amino acids, reduced sodium, and improved protein solubility, suitable for various food and beverage applications.
Implementation Method 1
filtration means having a pore size between 100 nanometer (nm) and 500 nm, between 100 nm and 200 nm, between 10 nm and 50 nm, or between 50 nm and 100 nm
Implementation Method 2
this filtration means may specifically retain components such as collagen protein, or peptides such as taurine, anserine, carnosine, creatine/creatinine, L-carnitine, choline
Implementation Method 3
In one embodiment, the composition is prepared from an animal source in the presence of an added enzyme
Implementation Method 4
WO 2004/021797 A1 discloses a method for obtaining a protein-free mix of free amino acids and short peptides through enzymatic hydrolysis
Implementation Method 5
The soluble protein composition may generally contain more than 70%, 80%, 85%, or 90% (w/w) of protein
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides a high quality protein composition and the processes of making the same. The compositions prepared by filtration according to the instant disclosure may contain higher percentage of branched chain amino acids (BCAA) and/or essential amino acids (EAA). The compositions may have reduced level of sodium and also lighter color than that of the composition before passing through the filtration means.