Bio-fiber gum hydrolysates and processes of producing

Inventors

Yadav, Madhav PHotchkiss, Arland T.HANAH, KYLEKale, Madhuvanti S.Johnston, David

Assignees

Agrifiber Holdings LLCAgrifiber Solutions LLCUS Department of Agriculture USDA

Publication Number

US-10414952-B2

Publication Date

2019-09-17

Expiration Date

2037-05-08

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Abstract

Compositions comprising bio-fiber gum hydrolysate and processes to hydrolyze bio-fiber gum (BFG), involving dissolving BFG in a solvent to form a solution, heating the solution and adding endoxylanase to the solution or adding endoxylanase to the solution and heating the solution, incubating the solution to form a solution containing BFG hydrolysate, boiling the solution containing BFG hydrolysate to inactivate the endoxylanase, and separating the BFG hydrolysate from the liquid in the solution containing BFG hydrolysate.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to compositions comprising bio-fiber gum hydrolysate and processes for producing such compositions. The processes involve enzymatic hydrolysis of bio-fiber gum (BFG) using endoxylanase in combination with pH and temperature modifications. The method includes dissolving BFG in a solvent at a pH of about 2.5 to 7, heating the solution from about 20° C. to 70° C., adding endoxylanase either before or after heating, incubating the solution at 20° C. to 70° C. for 30 minutes to 24 hours to form BFG hydrolysate, inactivating the enzyme by boiling the solution for 5 to 30 minutes, and finally separating the hydrolysate from the liquid.

The problem addressed is the limited solubility and clarity of existing bio-fiber gum materials such as corn bran arabinoxylan (BFG), which limits their functional use in food and related systems. The original BFG forms turbid solutions and has higher viscosity that restricts its application in beverages and emulsified products. There was a need to improve solubility, clarity, and viscosity of BFG without losing its desirable emulsifying properties to enable its use as a multifunctional ingredient for dietary fiber fortification and emulsification in food systems.

The innovation achieves surprising improvements in BFG properties through enzymatic hydrolysis with endoxylanase. The hydrolysates demonstrate significantly improved solubility, including formation of clear solutions, and much lower viscosity compared to unhydrolyzed BFG. Importantly, despite the reduced molecular weight and viscosity, the BFG hydrolysates maintain emulsifying ability comparable to the original BFG. This combination of low viscosity, high clarity, and effective emulsification allows incorporation of large quantities of dietary fiber in food systems such as beverages without the need for additional emulsifiers, offering clean-label and multifunctional benefits.

Claims Coverage

The patent includes multiple claims focused on a novel process for enzymatic hydrolysis of bio-fiber gum and compositions produced by it, covering various process conditions and product characteristics. The main inventive features are derived from the independent claims.

Process to hydrolyze bio-fiber gum using controlled enzymatic treatment

A process comprising dissolving bio-fiber gum in a solvent at a pH of about 2.5 to about 7, heating the solution (20° C. to 70° C.) and adding endoxylanase either before or after heating, incubating the solution at 20° C. to 70° C. for 30 minutes to 24 hours to form BFG hydrolysate, boiling to inactivate the endoxylanase, and separating the BFG hydrolysate from the liquid.

Use of specific enzyme activity ranges for hydrolysis

Employing from about 5 IU to about 6000 IU of endoxylanase per gram of BFG, with narrower preferred ranges (10 IU to 3000 IU, 20 IU to 600 IU, 60 IU to 120 IU) to control the extent of hydrolysis and product properties.

Production of BFG from agricultural materials by alkaline treatment without oxidizing agents

Producing BFG via alkaline extraction of agricultural materials at 75° C. to 150° C., separating insolubles to yield alkaline soluble fractions with pH 9 to 14, optionally followed by evaporation, pH adjustment, precipitation, and drying steps, all without using oxidizing agents and resulting in feruloyl-arabinoxylans.

Compositions comprising bio-fiber gum hydrolysate with defined molecular weight and emulsifying characteristics

Compositions containing bio-fiber gum hydrolysates produced by the process, having molecular weights from about 200 Da to about 40 kDa and exhibiting emulsifying ability similar to unhydrolyzed BFG.

Applications of the bio-fiber gum hydrolysates as emulsifiers, binders, antioxidants, and in oxidation inhibition and materials binding

Use of the bio-fiber gum hydrolysate product as emulsifiers in oil-in-water or water-in-oil compositions, as binders for carbonaceous materials, as antioxidants for oxidizable materials, and methods for stabilizing oxidizable substances and binding carbonaceous materials including plywood production with reduced phenol-formaldehyde resin.

The independent claims cover a defined method for enzymatic hydrolysis of BFG, specifying conditions and enzyme dosages, a method for producing BFG from agricultural materials free of oxidizing agents, the bio-fiber gum hydrolysate product with particular molecular and functional properties, and multiple compositions and methods employing the hydrolysate for emulsification, binding, antioxidant activity, and stabilization.

Stated Advantages

Improved solubility and clarity of bio-fiber gum hydrolysates compared to original BFG, enabling clear solution formation.

Surprisingly low viscosity of hydrolysates relative to unhydrolyzed BFG, facilitating incorporation into food systems.

Retention of emulsifying ability similar to original bio-fiber gum despite hydrolysis and reduced molecular weight.

Ability to include large amounts of beneficial dietary fiber in emulsified food products without additional emulsifiers, supporting clean-label formulations.

Production of multifunctional ingredients from BFG hydrolysates that combine fiber fortification, emulsification, and improved solution properties.

Documented Applications

Use as emulsifiers in oil-in-water or water-in-oil compositions.

Use as binders for carbonaceous materials, including pelletizing.

Use as antioxidants and for reducing oxidation of oxidizable compositions.

Binding carbonaceous materials in making products such as plywood with reduced phenol-formaldehyde resin.

Stabilization of oxidizable materials such as oils, flavors, and fragrances through emulsification and encapsulation.

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