Wheat Bran Fiber Processing for Phytate and Pollutant Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for obtaining wheat bran fiber are inefficient in removing environmental pollutants and phytates, leading to loss of bioelements and the formation of resistant starches.

Innovation Solution

A method involving rinsing wheat bran with water at 12-20°C, adding anhydrous calcium carbonate and citric acid, followed by heating, stirring, and filtering, then drying and grinding to obtain fine fiber.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional methods are used to obtain wheat bran fiber, then the process is simpler, but the removal of environmental pollutants and phytates is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepollutant removal efficiencyVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-soaking wheat bran in calcium carbonate solution before the main processing steps. This pre-treatment prepares the bran surface and structure, making subsequent pollutant and phytate removal more effective. The calcium carbonate soaking creates favorable conditions for the upcoming acid treatment and extraction processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses citric acid as an intermediary substance to facilitate the removal of phytates and pollutants. The citric acid interacts with calcium carbonate and phytates in a controlled manner, enabling efficient chelation and extraction of harmful substances without directly applying harsh chemicals to the bran.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of substance

If phytates are not removed from wheat bran, then the process is simpler, but bioelements are lost through complexation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebioelement lossVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of phytates (which bind and trap bioelements) into a beneficial process. By using citric acid to chelate calcium and disrupt phytate-calcium-bioelement complexes, the method releases trapped bioelements back into available forms. The phytate structure itself is broken down, transforming from a harmful complexing agent to a processed component that no longer interferes with nutrient availability.

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

3Stability of the object's composition

If resistant starches are formed during processing, then the fiber structure is more stable, but the nutritional quality decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber structure stabilityVSAvoidnutritional quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully controls processing parameters (temperature, pH, treatment duration) to modify the starch structure without creating resistant starches. By maintaining specific temperature ranges and using controlled acid treatment, the method preserves starch digestibility while still achieving the desired fiber structure stability and contaminant removal.

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 method effectively cleans wheat bran from pollutants, prevents bioelement complexation by phytates, and produces resistant starches, resulting in high-quality wheat bran fiber.

Implementation Method 1

anhydrous calcium carbonate is added... After mixing, the solution is allowed to soak

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNeutralization: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

citric acid monohydrate is added... the solution should be brought to a temperature of 90-95 °C and maintained at this temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChelation: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

Water is poured into the soaked wheat bran... The solution is mixed, then filtered

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 4

the solution should be brought to a temperature of 90-95 °C and maintained at this temperature for a minimum of 15 minutes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat treatment: Heat Treatment

Data Source

PatentEP4467574B1Technology of maintaining fiber from wheat bran
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 BIOMOL MED SP ZOO

AI summary

The subject of the invention is a method of obtaining fiber from wheat bran. The method of obtaining fiber according to the invention is characterized by cleaning of wheat bran from environmental pollutants, inhibiting the ability to complex bioelements through phytates, and obtaining resistant starches.