Starch Liquefaction Enzyme System for Ethanol Yield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current processes for producing fermentation products like ethanol from starch-containing materials have a significant amount of residual starch that is not converted into the desired product, leading to suboptimal yields.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the liquefaction of starch-containing materials at 60-80°C using a combination of bacterial alpha-amylase, raw starch hydrolyzing alpha-amylase, and carbohydrate-source generating enzymes, followed by saccharification and fermentation, with specific enzyme variants and conditions to enhance conversion efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional high temperature liquefaction (80-90°C) using bacterial alpha-amylase is used, then the process is well-established and operational, but a significant amount of residual starch remains unconverted, leading to suboptimal fermentation product yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the liquefaction temperature parameter from conventional high temperature (80-90°C) to a lower range (60-80°C), and combines this with using raw starch hydrolyzing alpha-amylase instead of conventional bacterial alpha-amylase. This parameter change enables more complete starch conversion and reduces residual starch while maintaining process efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite enzymatic system combining raw starch hydrolyzing alpha-amylase with conventional carbohydrate-source generating enzymes (glucoamylase and protease). This composite enzyme approach allows for more effective starch breakdown and conversion, improving fermentation product yield while reducing residual starch
2Productivity
If raw starch hydrolysis process is used below gelatinization temperature, then starch conversion is attempted without full gelatinization, but enzyme stability and activity are challenging to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the temperature parameter to 60-80°C, which is below full gelatinization temperature but above ambient temperature. This parameter change provides optimal conditions for raw starch hydrolyzing alpha-amylase activity while maintaining enzyme stability, achieving both high conversion efficiency and reliable enzyme performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces raw starch hydrolyzing alpha-amylase as a specialized intermediary enzyme that can effectively hydrolyze raw starch at lower temperatures without requiring complete gelatinization. This intermediary enzyme bridges the gap between low-temperature operation and effective starch conversion, maintaining both productivity and reliability
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
This process increases ethanol yield by optimizing enzyme stability and activity at specific temperatures and pH levels, leading to improved conversion of starch into ethanol.
Implementation Method 1
liquefying a starch-containing material at a temperature in the range from 60-80° C. using: a bacterial alpha-amylase
Implementation Method 2
saccharifying using a carbohydrate-source generating enzyme
Implementation Method 3
fermenting using a fermenting organism
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to processes for producing fermentation products from starch-containing material, wherein a bacterial alpha-amylase, a raw starch hydrolyzing alpha-amylase and a carbohydrate-source generating enzyme are present and/or added during liquefaction. The invention also relates to compositions suitable for use in processes of the invention.