Xylanase Pectinase Enzymes Reduce Fermentation Batch Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ethanol production processes face challenges in maintaining profitability due to variable corn prices, demand, and production costs, necessitating improved methods to increase yield and reduce costs.
Innovation Solution
The process involves converting starch-containing materials into fermentable sugars using a microorganism, with the addition of an enzyme composition comprising xylanase and pectinase before, during, or after fermentation to enhance oil recovery, reduce fermentation time, and increase ethanol yield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional fermentation process is used, then process simplicity is maintained, but batch time is excessive and ethanol yield is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adding xylanase and pectinase enzymes to the fermentation medium before fermentation begins. These enzymes pre-degrade hemicellulose and pectin components of the cell wall, releasing additional fermentable sugars that become available to the microorganism during fermentation, thereby increasing ethanol yield without extending batch time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the fermentation medium by introducing specific enzymes (xylanase and pectinase) that modify the breakdown of plant cell wall components. This parameter change enables more complete saccharification of the substrate, converting additional complex carbohydrates into fermentable sugars, thus improving productivity
2Productivity
If enzyme composition is added to fermentation medium, then ethanol yield and oil recovery increase, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by using a combined enzyme composition that performs multiple functions: xylanase degrades hemicellulose to release fermentable sugars, pectinase breaks down pectin to improve substrate accessibility, and both enzymes collectively enhance ethanol production and oil recovery. This single enzyme addition step accomplishes multiple objectives without requiring separate process stages
Solution Approach 2:
The fermentation system becomes self-service by utilizing the added enzymes to automatically degrade complex cell wall components during the fermentation process itself. The enzymes work in-situ within the fermentation medium, eliminating the need for separate pre-treatment or extraction steps, thereby improving productivity while maintaining operational simplicity
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 approach results in increased ethanol yield, reduced batch time, and improved oil recovery, specifically increasing ethanol production by 3% and oil recovery by 17-27%, while decreasing fermentation time by up to 6 hours.
Implementation Method 1
Subjecting the fermentation medium before, during and/or after the fermentation process to an enzyme composition comprising a xylanase and a pectinase
Implementation Method 2
Fermentation of the fermentable sugars with a microorganism to fermented mash
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology relates to methods of reducing the batch time in a fermentation process, wherein the fermentation medium is subjected before, during and/or after the fermentation process to an enzyme composition comprising at least a xylanase and a pectinase.