Yeast Cell Wall Composition via Enzymatic Protein Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing processes for producing yeast cell wall compositions from Saccharomyces cerevisiae yield products with variable compositions due to different production methods and yeast strains, lacking a standardized approach to utilize exhausted yeast biomass effectively.

Innovation Solution

A process involving dispersing exhausted yeast in an aqueous medium, treating with a proteolytic enzyme at specific temperature and pH conditions, and centrifugation steps to achieve a composition with controlled protein and polysaccharide content, specifically targeting a yeast cell wall composition with 20-30% protein and 20-24% glucans, suitable for animal feed and human consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If existing processes for producing yeast cell wall compositions from Saccharomyces cerevisiae are used, then products can be obtained, but the composition varies due to different production methods and yeast strains

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomposition consistencyVSAvoidprocess standardization
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by establishing specific controlled conditions for the enzymatic treatment process, including pH range (7.5-9.0), temperature (50-70°C), treatment time (6-10 hours), and enzyme dosage. These standardized parameters ensure consistent protein reduction and composition across different production batches, directly resolving the contradiction between composition consistency and process standardization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs preliminary action by first dispersing exhausted yeast in an aqueous medium to create a uniform suspension before enzymatic treatment. This preliminary step ensures consistent substrate availability and enzyme distribution, which establishes a standardized foundation for subsequent processing steps and achieves reproducible composition results

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of substance

If exhausted yeast biomass is utilized, then resource efficiency improves, but protein content must be reduced to achieve desired composition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiomass utilization efficiencyVSAvoidprotein content control
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by selectively removing protein components from exhausted yeast biomass through controlled enzymatic hydrolysis. The proteolytic enzyme specifically targets and breaks down protein structures, allowing selective extraction of excess protein while preserving the desired polysaccharide components (β-glucans and mannans), thus achieving both biomass utilization and protein content control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a proteolytic enzyme as an intermediary agent to mediate the breakdown of proteins in exhausted yeast. This biological catalyst enables selective protein degradation under controlled conditions, facilitating the transformation of high-protein biomass into the desired low-protein cell wall composition with 20-30% protein content while maintaining resource efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If proteolytic enzyme treatment is applied to reduce protein content, then composition quality improves, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotein contentVSAvoidtreatment duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the balance between protein reduction quality and processing time by establishing specific parameter ranges: pH 7.5-9.0, temperature 50-70°C, and treatment time 6-10 hours. These optimized parameters maximize enzymatic activity and protein breakdown efficiency while minimizing unnecessary processing time, achieving both composition quality and time efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by preparing the yeast suspension in advance with appropriate pH adjustment and temperature conditioning before enzyme addition. This preliminary preparation ensures optimal conditions for enzymatic activity from the start, reducing the overall treatment time required to achieve the desired protein content reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 process standardizes the production of yeast cell walls with consistent glucan and mannan content, enhancing their suitability as a food supplement and feed additive, while efficiently utilizing exhausted yeast biomass, thereby improving product quality and value.

Implementation Method 1

treating said first suspension having a dry weight of between 5% and 12% with a proteolytic enzyme at a temperature comprised between 50°C and 70°C, for 6 to 10 hours

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProteolytic enzyme hydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

c) centrifuging said first suspension obtaining a first pellet and a supernatant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Data Source

PatentEP3266863B1Composition substantially consisting of yeast cell walls and process for the preparation thereof
Publication Date: 2020.02.05 PROSOL SPA

AI summary

Process for the production of a composition substantially consisting of yeast cell walls, which comprises steps of dispersing exhausted yeast cells in an aqueous medium to obtain a first suspension of yeast cells; treating the suspension with a proteolytic enzyme; centrifuging the suspension obtaining a first pellet and a supernatant; dispersing the first pellet in an aqueous medium, obtaining a second suspension of yeast cells; centrifuging the second suspension obtaining a second pellet, which constitutes the above-mentioned composition substantially consisting of yeast cell walls.