Tannase-Modified Cereal Flour for Dough Texture and Odor Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cereal-derived powders with high ash content, such as wholemeal flour and bran, are often avoided in food products due to acridness and odor issues, and existing technologies do not address the need for improved texture and extensibility in dough products like noodles and bakery goods.

Innovation Solution

A cereal flour composition containing a cereal-derived powder with a tannase enzyme, providing tannase activity between 0.1 to 60 kU/g, which reduces acridness and odor while enhancing the texture and extensibility of dough products.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cereal-derived powders with high ash content (wholemeal flour, bran) are used to improve health benefits, then nutritional value is improved, but acridness and odor increase making consumers avoid these products

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenutritional valueVSAvoidacridness and odor
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies tannase enzyme to convert the harmful acridness and odor components in bran and wholemeal flour into beneficial compounds. The tannase specifically targets tannic acid and related compounds that cause acridness, converting them into gallic acid and other less problematic substances, thereby transforming the harmful sensory characteristics into acceptable or even desirable flavor profiles while preserving the nutritional benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cereal-derived powders by controlling tannase activity levels (0.1 to 60 kU/g) and enzyme concentration (10 to 10000 ppm). This enzymatic treatment modifies the chemical composition by breaking down tannic acid and other polyphenolic compounds, fundamentally altering the sensory properties while maintaining nutritional value

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If conventional enzyme treatments (xylanase, arabinofuranosidase) are used to modify bran, then water holding capacity is improved, but acridness and odor reduction is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater holding capacityVSAvoidacridness and odor
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and specifically targets the acridness-causing components (tannic acid and related polyphenols) using tannase enzyme, separating the harmful sensory properties from the beneficial nutritional and functional properties. This selective enzymatic extraction removes the problematic compounds while preserving water holding capacity and other desirable characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The tannase enzyme acts as an intermediary agent that specifically mediates the conversion of tannic acid into gallic acid and other compounds. This enzymatic intermediary selectively transforms the acridness-causing substances without affecting other functional properties like water holding capacity, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining functionality and reducing acridness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If dough food products contain high ash content cereal powders, then nutritional value is improved, but texture quality (softness, extensibility, resilience) deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenutritional valueVSAvoiddough texture quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the dough by introducing tannase enzyme treatment. This enzymatic modification alters the interaction between bran particles and dough matrix, improving extensibility and resilience while maintaining the nutritional benefits of high ash content ingredients. The enzyme modifies the chemical environment to enhance dough rheology

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 composition effectively reduces acridness and odor, and improves the soft yet resilient/tough texture and extensibility of dough products, balancing flavor and texture enhancements with cost considerations.

Implementation Method 1

an enzyme belonging to the tannase family, wherein a tannase activity per 1 g of the cereal-derived powder is from 0.1 to 60 kU/g

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme hydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

a cereal flour composition containing a cereal-derived powder, and an enzyme belonging to the tannase family

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme action: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentUS20250000102A1Cereal flour composition and dough food product
Publication Date: 2025.01.02 NISSHIN SEIFUN GROUP INC

AI summary

The present invention provides a cereal flour composition containing a cereal-derived powder, and an enzyme belonging to the tannase family, wherein the tannase activity per 1 g of the cereal-derived powder is from 0.1 to 60 kU/g. Preferably, the content of the enzyme in terms of mass is from 10 to 10000 ppm with respect to the total amount of the cereal-derived powder. Preferably, the cereal-derived powder includes at least one type selected from wholemeal flour, bran, and other cereal flour having an ash content of 0.7 mass % or greater. Preferably, the cereal-derived powder has an ash content of 0.5 mass % or greater.