Food or edible material: processes – compositions – and products – Fermentation processes – Of plant or plant derived material
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-25
2001-08-14
Sayala, Chhaya D. (Department: 1761)
Food or edible material: processes, compositions, and products
Fermentation processes
Of plant or plant derived material
C426S623000, C426S630000, C426S635000, C426S807000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06274178
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to methods of enhancing enzyme activity by the use of microwave energy.
BACKGROUND ART
Enzymes are proteins or glycoproteins present in all living cells, which control cellular metabolic and catabolic processes. Enzymes are biological catalysts capable of assisting chemical reactions without being incorporated in the end product. Enzymes often have a limited stability (lifetime) and activity can decrease over time.
Enzymes are specific in their action and usually break down or synthesise one particular compound or family of compounds. In some cases, enzyme action is limited to specific chemical bonds in a compound with which they react. Enzymes can act at atmospheric pressure and in mild conditions in respect to temperatures and acidity (pH). Many enzymes function optimally at temperatures of between 20-70° C. and at pH values around neutral (pH 7).
Industrial enzymes are prepared from biological sources and can be modified in order to produce the enzyme required for a particular task. There is a wide range of applications for enzymes having potential industrial uses.
One major use is in the assistance of the digestion process in animals. The enzymes associated with digestion are mostly hydrolytic as they break down large molecules into smaller molecules. These smaller molecules can then be absorbed by the animal's gut and used for cellular maintenance and growth.
A hydrolytic enzyme attaches itself to its substrate to form an enzyme-substrate complex. The substrate is broken into smaller molecules but the enzyme is not changed and can act again with new a substrate molecule.
Examples of other industrial applications of enzymes include biological detergents, textiles for such purposes as finishing of garments and desizing to assist in the weaving process, pulp and paper manufacture, food production including cheese and yogurt, and brewing.
The present inventors have made the surprising discovery that the activity of enzymes in industrial processes can be enhanced by treatment with microwave irradiation.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
In a first aspect, the present invention consists in a method of enhancing an enzyme-catalysed reaction, the method comprising reacting the enzyme with a substrate for the enzyme under the influence of microwave irradiation such that the enzyme reaction is enhanced.
The enzyme may be any enzyme but preferably an industrial enzyme used in industrial or applied processes. In particular, activity of enzymes used in the preparation of food, feed and fodder products can be enhanced by the present invention. Examples of suitable enzymes include, but not limited to, proteases, phytases, phosphatases, carbohydrate hydrolysing enzymes including gluconases, and xylanases.
The present invention is particularly suitable for producing improved animal fodder. The treatment appears to increase the availability of metabolisable components in fodder when ingested by the animal.
The source of substrate may be any plant material, grain or grain products or components. Examples include, but not limited, to cereals like wheat and rice, chaff, hay, silage, brans including rice bran, components thereof, and mixtures thereof.
The invention utilises the use of microwave energy or irradiation to enhance the action of the enzyme upon its substrate. The microwave frequency used in the present invention is in the order of 2.45 Ghz. This frequency is the one available for use in Australia but other frequencies may also be used in the present invention. The amount of energy required is dependent upon the water moisture present within the substrate and the enzyme solution. The energy used is also dependent upon the type of material being treated as compounds can have different dielectric constants. Material with high dielectric constants absorb energy preferentially and are therefore heated or acted upon before compounds with lower dielectric constants. However, other heating mechanism may be used to bring the enzyme solution and substrate up to the activation temperature of the enzyme at which point the microwave application can then be applied.
In a preferred form, the microwave energy is applied such that the temperature of the reaction mixture is effectively controlled. Furthermore, it has been found that it is preferable to apply the microwave energy to the mixture in a continuous manner.
Time of treatment will vary depending on the enzyme, substrate and the volume to be treated. About 10 minutes of microwave treatment has been found to be particularly suitable for rice bran treatment with xylanase.
In a second aspect, the present invention consists in a method for enhancing or increasing the metabolisable dietary content of a food-stuff, the method comprising reacting the food-stuff with an enzyme, the enzyme being capable of releasing a metabolisable dietary component from the food-stuff, under the influence of microwave irradiation such that the metabolisable dietary content of a food-stuff is enhanced or increased.
Preferably, the food-stuff is for an animal, more preferably a domestic animal, and even more preferably a monogastric animal.
The present invention has been found to be particularly suitable for providing improved dietary rice bran for fowl.
In a third aspect, the present invention consists in a food stuff with enhanced metabolisable dietary content produced by the method according to the second aspect of the present invention.
Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, preferred forms are described with reference to the following examples and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4956291 (1990-09-01), Yamanoke et al.
patent: 5196069 (1993-03-01), Cullingford et al.
patent: 5292410 (1994-03-01), Sweeney
patent: WO 93/21344 (1993-10-01), None
Crillies, ‘Animal Feeds From Waste Materials’, Noyes Data Corporation, pp 70, 269, 1978.*
Penafiel et al., (1997)Bioelectromagnetics, vol. 18, pp. 132-141.
Litovitz et al., (1997)Bioelectromagnetics, vol. 18, pp. 422-430.
Parker et al., (1996)Tetrahedron Letters, vol. 37, No. 46, pp. 8383-8386.
Horiuchi et al., (1991)Contributions to Nephrology, vol. 92, pp. 167-174.
Marani et al., (1990)European Journal of Morphology, vol. 28, No. 2-4, pp. 121-131.
Bernat, R., (1985)ACTA Physiology, vol. 36, No. 5-6, pp. 360-365.
Spencer et al., (1995)Journal of medical Microbiology, vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 265-272.
Lu et al., (1983)Radiation Research, vol. 96, No. 1, pp. 152-159.
Beven Peter William
Wicking Jeffrey Bruce
McDonnell & Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff
Primary Applications Pty. Limited
Sayala Chhaya D.
LandOfFree
Enhancement of industrial enzymes does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Enhancement of industrial enzymes, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Enhancement of industrial enzymes will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2480629