US4217414A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for separating and recovering vital wheat gluten from wheat flour and the like
Assignee: Unilever Bestfoods North America
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Filing: 1978-07-10
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Granted: 1980-08-12
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Expires: 1998-07-10
Abstract
Abstract A mixture of vital wheat gluten and starch containing at least 25% protein, e.g. a protein-rich fraction of wheat flour, is treated with a bacterial alpha-amylase (preferably substantially free of protease) under conditions which solubilize the starch but do not unduly solubilize, or denature, the vital gluten. Specifically, the temperature should be not above about 80° C. and the time of treatment should not exceed about 6 hours. After the enzymatic treament the gluten, which still retains its vital properties, is separated out, and the solubilized starch fraction is recovered or subjected to further processing.
Inventors
- 👤 Raoul G. P. Walon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:23
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08B; C08B30/00; C08B30/04; C08B30/042; C08B30/046; A; A23; A23J; A23J1/00; A23J1/12; A23J1/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A process for treating a mixture of vital wheat gluten and wheat starch obtained from wheat flour containing at least 25% protein comprising: (a) preparing an aqueous suspension of said mixture; (b) subjecting the aqueous suspension to the action of bacterial alpha-amylase is substantially free of protease and is derived from a bacillus microorganism under conditions whereby a substantial amount of said starch is solubilized without undergoing gelatinization, said conditions comprising a temperature of from about 45° to about 80° C., a pH of from about 5 to about 7, and a time of less than 6 hours; and (c) separating solid, vital gluten from the solubilized starch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A process for treating a mixture of vital wheat gluten and wheat starch obtained from wheat flour containing at least 25% protein comprising: (a) preparing an aqueous suspension of said mixture; (b) subjecting the aqueous suspension to the action of bacterial alpha-amylase is substantially free of protease and is derived from a bacillus microorganism under conditions whereby a substantial amount of said starch is solubilized without undergoing gelatinization, said conditions comprising a temperature of from about 45° to about 80° C., a pH of from about 5 to about 7, and a time of less than 6 hours; and (c) separating solid, vital gluten from the solubilized starch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the aqueous suspension subjected to the action of alpha-amylase is substantially free of solubles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the mixture of vital wheat gluten and wheat starch comprises a protein-rich fraction obtained from wheat flour.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 3, wherein the protein-rich fraction contains from about 25% to about 80% protein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 4, wherein said fraction contains from about 30% to about 40% protein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 3 wherein an aqueous slurry of wheat flour is subjected to centrifugal decantation to separate substantially protein-free wheat starch fraction from said protein-rich fraction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 6 wherein solubles present in said protein-rich fraction are removed prior to subjecting said fraction to the action of alpha-amylase.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the alpha-amylase is one derived from a microorganism selected from the group consisting of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 7 wherein the conditions of starch solubilization comprise a temperature of from 60° C. to 80° C. for a time of less than 30 minutes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the alpha-amylase is added in an amount in excess of the mininum amount necessary to solubilize all of the starch present, and wherein the time of the solubilization does not exceed about 3 hours.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The process of claim 10 wherein, following the separation of the vital gluten, the solubilized starch solution contains still active enzymes and is combined with the wheat starch fraction obtained by centrifugal decantation, and the resulting mixture is subjected to a solubilization process.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 11 wherein the solubilized starch is saccharified with a saccharifying enzyme.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 12 wherein the saccharifying enzyme is glucoamylase.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 12 wherein the saccharifying enzyme is a maltogenic enzyme.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the conditions of starch solubilization comprise a temperature of from 45° to 60° C.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the conditions of starch solubilization comprise a temperature of from 60° C. to 80° C. for a time of less than 30 minutes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-08-12 | 1984-02-11 | 1984-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-08-12 | 1988-02-11 | 1988-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-08-12 | 1992-02-11 | 1992-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |