Spray Dried Myrosinase Ascorbate Mixture for Isothiocyanate Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conversion of glucosinolates to isothiocyanates, such as sulforaphane, is inefficient due to the presence of epithiospecifier protein (ESP) which competes with the desired reaction pathway, resulting in reduced yield and purity of sulforaphane production.
Innovation Solution
A spray dried myrosinase/ascorbate mixture is created by heating a source of myrosinase with ascorbate to a temperature of about 40°C or higher, deactivating ESP and improving the stability and activity of myrosinase, which is then mixed with glucosinolates in water at a pH of 5 to 6.5 to enhance the conversion to sulforaphane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If myrosinase is used to convert glucosinolates to isothiocyanates, then the chemoprotective effect is achieved, but the yield and purity are reduced due to competing reaction pathways catalyzed by ESP
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful ESP component from the reaction system by separating it from the myrosinase source (broccoli seeds) through controlled extraction and purification processes, allowing myrosinase to act without competing reaction pathways
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates optimal local conditions for myrosinase activity by controlling pH (using citrate buffer at pH 5.0), temperature (37°C water bath), and substrate concentration, while the competing ESP remains inactive under these specific conditions
2Ease of operation
If plant material containing both myrosinase and glucosinolates is used, then the conversion can occur, but the presence of ESP reduces the efficiency and consistency of isothiocyanate production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the myrosinase enzyme source from the glucosinolate substrate, processing broccoli seeds to extract and purify myrosinase independently, then combining it with glucoraphanin in controlled conditions to eliminate ESP interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary extraction and purification of myrosinase from broccoli seeds before the conversion reaction, removing ESP and other interfering components in advance to ensure efficient and consistent isothiocyanate production
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 a more stable and active myrosinase/ascorbate mixture that increases the yield and rate of sulforaphane production, providing a consistent and potent chemoprotective agent.
Implementation Method 1
Myrosinase catalyzes the conversion of glucosinolates to isothiocyanates
Implementation Method 2
Glucosinolates may be converted to isothiocyanates through the use of myrosinase enzymes
Implementation Method 3
heating the mixture in a solvent to a temperature of about 104° F. (about 40° C.) or higher, and spray drying the myrosinase/ascorbate mixture
Implementation Method 4
spray drying the myrosinase/ascorbate mixture
Data Source
AI summary
A spray dried myrosinase/ascorbate mixture is formed from the steps comprising: providing a source of myrosinase, adding ascorbate to the source of myrosinase, heating the source of myrosinase to a temperature of about 104° F. (about 40° C.) or higher, and spray drying the myrosinase/ascorbate mixture. The spray dried myrosinase/ascorbate mixture may be used to prepare isothiocyanates. The spray dried myrosinase/ascorbate mixture may also be mixed with glucoraphanin and used in an activated tablet or capsule.