Method and system for solubilizing protein

• US 20060069244A1
• Filed: 06/01/2005
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Terrabon Technology Corp., Texas A&M University System
• Original Assignee: Terrabon Technology Corp.
• Inventors: Noyes, Gary P., Granda, Cesar B., Holtzapple, Mark Thomas, Davison, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 7,705,116 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 530/412
• CPC Class Codes: C07K 1/145 by extraction or solubilisation

Abstract

A process for solubilization of protein including application of an alkali, such as lime, and heating. The process may also involve lime recovery and may be accomplished in a single stage or two stages to separate protein solubilized from labile and recalcitrant sources. Systems and devices for use in such process, including a continuous stirred tank reactor and a plug flow reactor are also involved.

Claims

1. A method of solubilizing protein comprising:

applying an alkali to a protein source to form a slurry;

heating the slurry to a temperature sufficient to allow hydrolysis of protein in the protein source to obtain a reaction liquid;

separating solids from the reaction liquid;

neutralizing the reaction liquid with acid or an acid source to produce a neutralized liquid;

concentrating the neutralized liquid to produce concentrated liquid and water; and

returning the water to the slurry before or during the heating step.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising grinding the protein source.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the alkali comprises calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the alkali comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of:

magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium hydroxide, ammonia, and any combinations thereof.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein heating produces ammonia, further comprising neutralizing the ammonia with an acid.

6. A method according to claim 1, further comprising returning separated solids to the protein source.

7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising separating reactive solids from inert solids in the separated solids.

8. A method according to claim 1, further comprising holding the reaction liquid at an elevated temperature for a time period sufficient to destroy all or a substantially all prions in the reaction liquid.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the elevated temperature is between 125-250°

C. and the time period is between 1 second and 5 hours.

10. A method according to claim 1, further comprising separating solids from the neutralized liquid.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the separated solids comprise the alkali, further comprising adding the separated solids to the protein source.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein concentrating the neutralized liquid further comprises evaporating the neutralized liquid.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein concentrating the neutralized liquid further comprises filtering the neutralized liquid.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein concentrating the neutralized liquid further comprises freezing the neutralized liquid.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein concentrating the neutralized liquid further comprises adding an immiscible amine.

16. A method according to claim 1, further comprising drying the concentrated liquid.

17. A method according to claim 1, further comprising producing process heat and reusing process heat.

18. A system for solubilizing protein comprising:

a heated reactor operable to react a protein source and an alkali to produce a reaction liquid;

a solid/liquid separator operable to separate solids from the reaction liquid;

a neutralization tank operable to allow addition of acid to the reaction liquid to produce a neutralized liquid;

a concentration tank operable to concentrate neutralized liquid and to produce a concentrated liquid and water;

a conduit operable to pass water from the concentration tank to the heated reactor; and

at least one heat exchanger operable to exchange process heat.

19. A system according to claim 18, further comprising a grinder operable to grind the protein source.

20. A system according to claim 18, wherein the heated reactor comprises a stirred tank.

21. A system according to claim 18, further comprising an ammonia collector operable to collect ammonia from the heated reactor and allow its neutralization with an acid.

22. A system according to claim 18, further comprising a conduit operable to return separated solids to the heated reactor.

23. A system according to claim 18, further comprising a density separator operable to separate reactive solids from inert solids.

24. A system according to claim 23, wherein the density separator comprises a settler or a hydroclone.

25. A system according to claim 18, further comprising a holding tank operable to heat the reaction liquid to a temperature and for a time period sufficient to destroy all or substantially all prions in the reaction liquid.

26. A system according to claim 18, further comprising a solid/liquid separator operable to separate solids from the neutralized liquid.

27. A system according to claim 18, wherein the concentration tank further comprises a component selected from the group consisting of:

a multi-effect evaporator, a mechanical vapor-compression evaporator, a jet ejector vapor compression evaporator, a reverse osmosis membrane, a tight nanofiltration membrane, a freezer, an amine recovery system, and any combinations thereof.

28. A system according to claim 18, further comprising a drier operable to dry the concentrated liquid.

29. A system according to claim 28, wherein the drier comprises a spray drier or a scraped drum drier.

30. A system for solubilizing protein comprising:

a reacting means operable to react a protein source and an alkali to produce a reaction liquid;

a solid/liquid separating means operable to separate solids from the reaction liquid;

a neutralizing means operable to allow addition of acid to the reaction liquid to produce a neutralized liquid;

a concentrating means operable to concentrate neutralized liquid and to produce a concentrated liquid and water;

a means operable to pass water from the concentration tank to the heated reactor; and

at least one heat exchange means operable to exchange process heat.

31. A system according to claim 30, further comprising a grinding means operable to grind the protein source.

32. A system according to claim 30, further comprising a collecting means operable to collect ammonia from the reacting means and allow its neutralization with an acid.

33. A system according to claim 30, further comprising a holding means operable to heat the reaction liquid to a temperature and for a time period sufficient to destroy all or substantially all prions in the reaction liquid.

34. A system according to claim 30, further comprising a drying means operable to dry the concentrated liquid.