Spray-Dried Human Milk Oligosaccharide Powder Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) face challenges such as the use of organic solvents, which are costly, environmentally harmful, and not suitable for human consumption, especially during the final stages of recovery processes.
Innovation Solution
A process for manufacturing a spray-dried powder containing a mixture of structurally distinct HMOs, along with at least one monosaccharide like L-fucose or N-acetylneuraminic acid, is developed. This process avoids the use of organic solvents and results in a solid, low-water product that is less susceptible to microbial contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If organic solvents are used in the final stages of HMO recovery processes, then HMOs can be obtained in solid form, but the process becomes costly, environmentally harmful, and unsuitable for human consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes organic solvents from the HMO recovery process entirely. Instead of using organic solvents for precipitation and crystallization, the process employs aqueous-based methods including ultrafiltration, diafiltration, and spray-drying to obtain HMOs in solid form, thereby eliminating solvent contamination while maintaining product quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the recovery process by operating at controlled temperatures (e.g., 20-80°C for ultrafiltration, 120-150°C for spray-drying) and using aqueous buffers instead of organic solvents. This parameter transformation allows solid HMO recovery without introducing harmful organic contaminants
2Ease of manufacture
If HMOs are produced as aqueous solutions, then the process is environmentally friendly and cost-effective, but the product is susceptible to microbial contamination and has poor storage characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase transition from liquid to solid state through spray-drying. The aqueous HMO solution is atomized into droplets and rapidly dried, transforming the product into a stable powder form that is resistant to microbial contamination while maintaining the cost-effectiveness of aqueous-based processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces chemical preservation methods with physical drying (spray-drying) to prevent microbial contamination. The mechanical/thermal energy input during spray-drying removes water activity, creating an environment where microbes cannot grow, thus ensuring product reliability without adding chemical preservatives
3Stability of the object's composition
If HMOs are spray-dried to produce solid powder, then the product is less hygroscopic and remains flowable for longer, but the process requires careful control of drying parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes spray-drying parameters including inlet temperature (120-150°C), outlet temperature (40-80°C), and feed concentration (20-50% w/v) to achieve the desired balance between flowability and stability. These controlled parameter changes produce a powder with appropriate moisture content and particle characteristics without excessive process complexity
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 effectively produces a stable, solid HMO product that is less hygroscopic and remains flowable for longer, reducing the risk of contamination and improving handling and storage characteristics, while also being environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
spray-dried powder containing a mixture of structurally distinct HMOs
Implementation Method 2
spray-dried powder containing a mixture of structurally distinct HMOs
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are spray-dried powders containing a mixture of structurally distinct human milk oligosaccharides, methods for the production of said spray-dried powder, its use for the manufacture of nutritional compositions, and nutritional compositions containing said spray-dried powder.