Sweetener Composition Using Enzymatic Epimerization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fructose/glucose liquid sugar used as a sweetener in the food industry differs in sweetness and taste from sucrose, and its consumption is linked to lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity.
Innovation Solution
A sweetener composition comprising D-glucose, D-fructose, and D-psicose at specific ratios, produced through the action of isomerase and epimerase on glucose liquid sugar, which mimics the sweetness and taste of sucrose and offers obesity-preventing properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If isomerized sugar (glucose-fructose liquid sugar) is used as a sweetener, then production cost is reduced and sweetness is provided, but the degree and quality of sweetness differs from sucrose and lifestyle-related diseases occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compositional parameters of the sweetener by introducing D-psicose and adjusting the ratio of D-fructose to D-glucose. Specifically, it sets D-fructose at 30-80 parts by weight, D-glucose at 10-60 parts by weight, and D-psicose at 5-20 parts by weight, which fundamentally alters the sweetness profile to match sucrose while maintaining cost-effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite sweetener material combining four different sugars (D-fructose, D-glucose, D-psicose, and optionally D-galactose) in specific proportions. This composite approach allows the mixture to achieve sweetness characteristics similar to sucrose while incorporating D-psicose to prevent lifestyle-related diseases, thus resolving both the cost and quality issues
2Quantity of substance
If D-psicose is produced from D-fructose through separate processes, then D-psicose is obtained, but production costs increase due to multiple processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the D-psicose production step with the existing glucose-fructose liquid sugar production process. By adding D-psicose (produced from D-fructose) to the liquid sugar mixture in a single formulation step rather than requiring separate production lines, the patent achieves the desired D-psicose content while minimizing process complexity and additional costs
3Object-affected harmful factors
If D-psicose is used to prevent lifestyle-related diseases, then health benefits are achieved, but the sweetness and taste profile differs from sucrose
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of D-psicose (5-20 parts by weight) and adjusts the ratios of D-fructose and D-glucose to compensate for any taste differences. This parameter optimization ensures that D-psicose provides sufficient health benefits while the overall mixture maintains sweetness quality similar to sucrose
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite material approach where D-psicose is combined with D-fructose, D-glucose, and optionally D-galactose in specific proportions. This composite formulation allows the beneficial effects of D-psicose to be preserved while the combination of multiple sugars creates a balanced sweetness profile that mimics sucrose, thus resolving both the health benefit and taste quality requirements
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 sweetener composition achieves a sweetness and taste similar to sucrose while effectively preventing obesity and other lifestyle-related diseases by adjusting the ratios of D-fructose and D-psicose in the mixture.
Implementation Method 1
Isomerization of glucose by glucose isomerase to fructose is an equilibrium reaction
Implementation Method 2
D-psicose is produced from D-fructose by the action of D-ketohexose 3-epimerase
Data Source
AI summary
Problem: To develop a method for producing a novel sweetener containing glucose, fructose, and psicose, which is produced from glucose liquid sugar using an isomerase and an epimerase; use of the novel sweetener as a food or drink material; and a novel sweetener capable of preventing obesity caused by the intake thereof. Means of Resolution: An isomerase and an epimerase are allowed to act on glucose liquid sugar produced in a glucose liquid sugar production plant to thereby produce D-psicose, thereby providing a novel sweetener (product) that maintains the degree and quality of sweetness of a glucose-fructose mixed solution and never causes obesity, a method for producing the same, and use of the same.