DE102016002353A1 - pretreatment method - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for the treatment of brown algae, in which the brown algae are treated with an organic acid or an organic acid mixture and then the treated brown algae are irradiated by means of β-radiation.

Description

The invention relates to a method for the treatment of brown algae, wherein the brown algae are treated with an organic acid or an organic acid mixture and then the treated brown algae are irradiated by means of β-radiation.

In particular, such a method of the invention for the treatment of brown algae can be used in order to increase the nutritional yield and / or to reduce or reduce intestinal stress in humans and / or monogastric livestock such as pigs, poultry, fish and the like using these pretreated brown algae / or pet animals such as dogs, cats, horses, and the like.

Brown algae are macroalgae, which grow mainly in shores of temperate to cool seas. Brown algae have lengths that can range from a few millimeters to 60 meters, as may be the case with kelp or kelp. Some species of brown algae are cultivated in aquacultures, especially in Asia. In addition to the immediate use of human nutrition, brown algae are used as starting material for the production of, for example, alginate or alginic acid, which are frequently gelling agents used in the food industry.

Algae, especially kelp, are eaten as food, especially in East Asia. Edible varieties such as kombu, sea kale, wakame and the nori used for sushi are used mainly in Japanese cuisine, but also in Europe. These edible varieties consist mainly of the structural polysaccharides algin and laminarin, a reserve polysaccharide made up of glucose, similar to starch in terrestrial plants.

Algin and laminarin have a molecular structure that is not degradable by the digestive enzymes of vertebrates, including humans. Due to the lack of digestibility in the small intestine, these two polysaccharides are attributable to fiber. Brown algae therefore provide only comparatively small amounts of digestible nutrients and are therefore not suitable as a staple food for humans or as a staple feed for farm animals. Larger amounts of brown algae can at best be fed to ruminants, where algin and laminarin can be degraded by the microorganisms in the forestomach.

It is known from the prior art that brown algae, due to their ingredients, can have different effects with regard to health aspects. The brown algae is here attributed a prebiotic effect. A prebiotic (prebiotic) is a non-degradable, endogenous fiber of the body's own digestive enzymes that is degraded only by desirable intestinal bacteria and can be used as a food source, but not by potentially pathogenic germs. A prebiotic is therefore a specific food source for probiotic bacteria, which then displace the potentially pathogenic bacteria and thus promote intestinal health. In this context, the alginate and laminarin are said to have prebiotic effects. However, in studies carried out with pure extracts of alginate or laminarin, only a general stimulation of the growth of intestinal bacteria could be shown. However, as fiber generally causes stimulation of intestinal bacterial growth, such a study as described above fails to demonstrate specific prebiotic activity of alginate or laminarin extracts.

It is believed that ingredients of brown algae can cause the binding of toxins in the gut. In particular, the algin is said to have the ability to bind cations with higher charge density, such. Heavy metals. It is further believed that toxic substances such as cholesterol, pesticides, tobacco smoke and the like could be bound by ingredients such as algin and laminarin.

The state of the art also discusses a health-promoting effect of fucoidan, another ingredient of brown algae. Fucoidan is a polysaccharide-glycoprotein complex with a supposedly positive effect on the immune system, blood formation, to the promotion of apoptosis in cancer cells. This is evident from corresponding studies with fucoidin extracts.

However, brown algae not only have pure health benefits but can also have a negative impact on health in certain conditions. In this context, Algin may also have a potential negative effect on health. Food or feed tend to increase the viscosity of the intestinal contents, here speaking of an anti-nutritive property. Gel formation in the small intestine interferes with the activity of the body's digestive enzymes and reduces the rate of release of absorbable nutrients. The body responds to this with an increased rate of synthesis of digestive enzymes and a reduced rate of passage of intestinal contents. This allows the intestinal bacteria including potentially pathogenic germs, increased proliferation in the small intestine. The increase in the viscosity of the food thus represents an intestinal hygiene risk. Measures to reduce the viscosity of the food therefore have a health-promoting effect, which could be proven experimentally many times.

An object of the invention is to overcome the potential disadvantages of the antinutritive properties of brown algae, in particular to increase the nutrient digestibility and thus also the nutritional value of the brown algae in relation to humans and / or food animals and / or pets.

Another object of the invention is to generally improve the intestinal health of humans and / or food animals and / or pets.

The object is achieved by an inventive method for the treatment of brown algae according to claim 1. In the dependent claims advantageous refinements and preferred embodiments are given.

• • Behandlung der Braunalgen mit einer organischen Säure oder einem organischen Säuregemisch,
• • Bestrahlung der mit organischer Säure behandelten Braunalgen mit β-Strahlung.

According to the invention, a method for the treatment of brown algae is provided. The method comprises the following steps:

• Treatment of the brown algae with an organic acid or an organic acid mixture,
• • Irradiation of organic acid treated brown algae with β-radiation.

The basic concept of the method according to the invention provides that the brown algae are pretreated with an organic acid or an organic acid mixture. This pre-treatment can be done immediately after harvest in the wet state, however, the algae can also be dried beforehand, for example with hot air or the like.

Advantageously, organic acids or acid mixtures such as malic acid (2-hydroxysuccinic acid) and / or lactic acid, particularly preferably citric acid, are used in the process according to the invention.

Advantageously, the acid treatment takes place in the water, wherein the ratio of water / acid to alge at least 2: 1, preferably at least 1.75: 1 and more preferably at least 1.5: 1, but not more than 1: 2, preferably at most 1: 1 , 5 and more preferably 1: 1.25, wherein the ratio of water / acid to alga is particularly advantageously 1: 1.

Advantageously, a salt can also be used as the acid source in the process according to the invention, wherein the proportion of the salt or acid is at least 1% by weight, preferably at least 1.5% by weight and more preferably at least 2% by weight, but not more than 5% Wt .-%, preferably at most 4.5 wt .-% and particularly preferably at most 4 wt .-% based on the total weight of algae and water, but wherein 2.5 wt .-% and 3.5 wt. % advantageous and 3 wt .-% are particularly advantageous.

Advantageously, crystalline salt citrate is used as salt in the process according to the invention.

Advantageously, according to the invention, the treatment of the algae with organic acid at a temperature of at least 0 ° C, preferably of at least 5 ° C and more preferably of at least 10 ° C, but at a temperature of at most 100 ° C or 80 ° C, preferably of a maximum of 60 ° C and 40 ° C and more preferably of a maximum of 30 ° C incubated, but a temperature of 25 ° C and 18 ° C is advantageous and a temperature of 20 ° C is particularly advantageous.

The incubation time according to the method of the invention is advantageously at least 10 minutes, preferably at least 20 minutes and more preferably 30 minutes, but not more than 3 hours, preferably not more than 2 hours and more preferably not more than 1 hour, the incubation time advantageously being 50 minutes and more preferably 40 minutes is.

The treatment with organic acid or acid mixture serves primarily to remove divalent metal ions, such as Ca ²⁺ , which contribute to the stability of the cross-links of the macromolecules present in the brown algae, such as algin and laminarin. In this case, the divalent metal ions are complexed by the acid, whereby, for example, alginic acid polymers are dissolved, so that alginate polymers are present. These macromolecules can then be more easily comminuted by further treatment steps.

After the treatment step with organic acid, a further treatment step takes place in the method according to the invention, the brown algae being irradiated with β-radiation. In this case, however, β-radiation is understood as the artificial generation of free electrons, which are brought to a high energy by means of a particle accelerator or electron accelerator (English: electron accelerator) and with which a sample is then irradiated. In English, such a method is also called "high- energy electron beam radiation ". In the following, however, this type of radiation is referred to as β-radiation.

Advantageously, in the method according to the invention, irradiation with a radiation intensity of at least 50 kGy (kilogray), preferably of at least 60 kGy and more preferably of at least 70 kGy, but of not more than 100 kGy, preferably of not more than 90 kGy and more preferably of 80 kGy is used.

According to the method of the invention, the irradiation time is advantageously at least 5 seconds, preferably at least 10 seconds and more preferably 15 seconds but not more than 55 seconds, preferably not more than 45 seconds and more preferably not more than 35 seconds, the incubation time advantageously being 25 seconds and more preferably 20 seconds is.

According to the method of the invention, an electron accelerator for generating high energy electrons is used for irradiation. This electron accelerator advantageously has a radiation energy of 10 MeV and a beam power of 25 to 40 kW.

According to the method of the invention, it is advantageous to use brown algae of the order laminaria, particularly preferably the genus laminaria. However, algae such as Laminaria saccharina and / or Laminaria japonica are advantageously used. However, the method according to the invention can also be applied to all other marine algae, such as other brown algae, red algae, etc., in order to decompose indigestible structures and thus to increase the nutritional value of these algae.

The inventive method for the pretreatment of brown algae produces highly reactive free radicals which react within the algae with macromolecules such as algin or laminarin. Here, long polysaccharide chains are broken down into smaller molecules. However, this decomposition does not affect the functional groups of these molecules, such as sulfate groups and the like. The method is advantageously suitable for dividing larger polysaccharides into smaller oligosaccharides.

Surprisingly, it has been shown that the use of pretreated brown algae by the method according to the invention can reduce or completely prevent intestinal stress in humans and in monogastric animals such as pigs, poultry, fish and the like and in pet animals such as dogs, cats, horses and the like , Here, prebiotic properties of the algae play no role.

Brown algae pretreated with the method according to the invention can be used to lower the fluidity and / or the viscosity in the intestinal tract. This, for example, reduces gel formation in the small intestine, which in turn increases the activity of the body's digestive enzymes, and thus also increases the rate of release of absorbable nutrients. The body therefore does not have to react with an increased rate of synthesis of digestive enzymes and a decreased rate of passage of intestinal contents, as would be the case if untreated brown algae were used.

Furthermore, brown algae pretreated with the method according to the invention can be used to reduce the concentration of germs at the end of the small intestine. Due to the fact that there is no reduced rate of passage of the intestinal contents, intestinal bacteria including potentially pathogenic germs can not increase in the small intestine. This in turn leads to a general improvement in intestinal health. The reduction in germ density affects all types of germs, including potentially pathogenic bacteria such as Clostridia and Enterobacteriaceae (including Escherichia coli). The reduction can be significantly more than a power of ten. Reducing the density of potentially pathogenic bacteria at the end of the small intestine continues into the colon. This applies in particular to Clostridium perfringens.

Further, pretreated brown algae can be used to stimulate the regeneration capacity of the small intestinal mucosa using the method according to the invention. The use of the brown algae pretreated with the method according to the invention relieves, for example, the small intestinal tissue from severe tissue renewal. This saves essential nutrients that are now available elsewhere in the body. At the same time, however, the use of the brown algae pretreated by the method according to the invention improves the tissue integrity and the tightness of the intestinal tissue, resulting overall in the stability of the intestinal tissue from infections. Surprisingly, it has namely been found that the use of brown algae pretreated by the method according to the invention leads to a shortening of the villi of the small intestine and / or to a flattening of the crypts of the small intestine. In particular, such effects occur in the region of the jejunum, with the jejunum representing the bulk of the small intestine. Furthermore, it was surprisingly found that brown algae treated with the method according to the invention reduce the concentration of DNA in the intestinal contents at the end of the Small intestine can be used. These factors generally stabilize digestive functions in general, as the intestine must invest less in the growth of intestinal tissue and in the costly synthesis of digestive enzymes and / or mucus.

In general, the use of brown algae pretreated by the method according to the invention has a calming effect on the growth activity of the small intestine. This results in a calming effect against intestinal irritation and / or against strong immunological reactions, such as food allergens.

Furthermore, it has surprisingly been found that occludin (OCLN) is up-regulated in the small intestine when using the brown algae pretreated by means of the method according to the invention. In particular, such upregulation occurs in the ileum. The gene-derived protein occludin, along with proteins from the claudin family, is involved in the formation of tight junctions. Tight junctions close the intercellular spaces in the epithelia and protect the body against dehydration as well as against external / internal influences, such as the acidic content of the stomach. The up-regulation of OCLN or occludin thus causes the intercellular spaces in the intestinal wall to become denser. The algae thus promote the integrity and tightness of the intestinal tissue by stimulating the formation of tight junctions. An expression of this is the upregulation of OCLN.

Surprisingly, it has been found that the use of brown algae pretreated with the method according to the invention for binding and for the fecal elimination of orally taken up and / or formed in the gastrointestinal tract toxins such as pyrogenic substances can be used. Typical toxins which are produced in the gastrointestinal tract of microorganisms are, in particular, endotoxins, mycotoxins and, more generally, pyrogenic substances. Typical endotoxins are lipopolysaccharide-protein complexes, which frequently consist of components of the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria, such as E. coli, etc., as well as lipoprotein A. Cell constituents of Gram-positive bacteria such as peptidoglycans and teichoic acids can also be bound with the pretreated brown algae used according to the method of the invention and thus harmless. Typical mycotoxins are, in particular, aflatoxins, ochratoxins, in particular ochratoxin A (OTA), trichothecenes, in particular deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisins and / or zearaleon (ZEA or ZEN).

By binding such toxins and other substances, severe damage can be avoided in the living organism, in particular of livestock, pets and humans. The triggered by these substances inflammatory reactions that can reach up to the allergic shock, stay out. Also in chronic intestinal inflammation endotoxins are usually involved. It is therefore also possible with the brown algae pretreated by the method according to the invention to alleviate chronic diseases, which likewise arise as an inflammatory response of the immune system, or to improve their healing process.

Surprisingly, it has further been shown that pretreated brown algae can be used as nutrients for humans as well as feed for monogastric animals such as pigs, poultry, fish and the like and for pet animals such as dogs, cats, horses and the like. It has been shown that the use of pretreated by the method according to the invention brown algae can eliminate or reduce the antinutritive effect of the present in the brown algae algin or laminarin. The pretreatment of the brown algae decomposes the large macromolecules into smaller fragments (oligosaccharides), which in turn leads to a higher nutritional value compared to untreated brown algae when these pretreated brown algae are used. This is mainly the case because the nutrient digestibility increases because, for example, humans, monogastric livestock and pets better or even can digest the shorter oligosaccharides, in contrast to the macromolecules algin and laminarin.

According to the invention pretreated brown algae can also be used as a flavoring or spice for human nutrition and / or for the feeding of all monogastric animals and / or pets. It is the case that, for example dried algae powder tastes intense seafood, so pretreated brown algae can also be used as a seasoning or as a flavoring.

For the purposes of the invention, agents are also provided which are suitable for the abovementioned uses with the method according to the invention treated brown algae, individually or in combination. In particular, a means is provided for reducing or preventing intestinal stress in humans and / or monogastric livestock and / or pets, and / or with increased nutrient digestibility and nutritional value for humans and / or monogastric livestock and / or pets, and / or for seasoning human food or as a flavoring for the feed of monogastric livestock and / or pets, and / or for the binding and fecal elimination of orally ingested and / or in the gastrointestinal tract formed toxins and pyrogenic substances.

The method according to the invention for the treatment of brown algae will be described in more detail below by means of an example. The explanations are merely exemplary and do not limit the general inventive concept. Also, a combination of different experimental procedures is possible.

Example:

• • Frisch geerntete Braunalgen der Gattung Laminaria werden mit Wasser im Verhältnis 1:1 gemischt und mit 3 Gew.-% Natriumcitrat, bezogen auf das Algen/Wasser-Gemisch, versetzt.
• • Natriumcitrat, Wasser und Algen werden vermischt und anschließend bei Raumtemperatur für 40 Minuten inkubiert.
• • Anschließend werden die noch nassen Algen mit β-Strahlung bei einer Intensität von 70–80 kgy und einer Bestrahlungsdauer von 20 Sekunden bestrahlt.
• • Danach werden die Algen getrocknet.

Implementation of an embodiment of the method according to the invention:

• • Freshly harvested brown algae of the genus Laminaria are mixed with water in the ratio 1: 1 and mixed with 3 wt .-% sodium citrate, based on the algae / water mixture.
• • Sodium citrate, water and algae are mixed and then incubated at room temperature for 40 minutes.
• • Subsequently, the still wet algae are irradiated with β-radiation at an intensity of 70-80 kgy and a radiation duration of 20 seconds.
• • After that, the algae are dried.

Claims (10)

Method of treating brown algae, comprising the following steps: Treatment of the brown algae with an organic acid or an organic acid mixture, • Irradiation of brown algae treated with an organic acid with β radiation. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the organic acid or the acid mixture comprises citric acid, malic acid (2-hydroxysuccinic acid), lactic acid and / or the like. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the treatment with the organic acid takes place in water, wherein the ratio of water / acid to alge at least 2: 1, preferably at least 1.75: 1 and particularly preferably at least 1.5: 1, at most 1: 2, preferably at most 1: 1.5 and particularly preferably 1: 1.25, wherein the ratio of water / acid to alge is particularly advantageously 1: 1. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a salt is used as the acid source, wherein the proportion of the salt or acid at least 1 wt .-%, preferably at least 1.5 wt .-% and particularly preferably at least 2 wt. %, but not more than 5 wt .-%, preferably not more than 4.5 wt .-% and particularly preferably not more than 4 wt .-%, based on the total weight of algae and water, but wherein 2.5 wt .-% or 3.5 wt .-% advantageous and 3 wt .-% are particularly advantageous. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the salt used is crystalline sodium citrate. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the algae and the organic acid are mixed and at a temperature of at least 0 ° C, preferably of at least 5 ° C and more preferably of at least 10 ° C, but not exceeding 100 ° C or 80 ° C, preferably of not more than 60 ° C or 40 ° C and more preferably of not more than 30 ° C is incubated, but a temperature of 25 ° C and 18 ° C advantageous and a temperature of 20 ° C particularly advantageous is. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the irradiation with β-rays at a radiation intensity of at least 50 kGy, preferably of at least 60 kGy and more preferably of at least 70 kGy, but not more than 100 kGy, preferably not more than 90 kGy and particularly preferably of 80 kGy takes place. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that an irradiation time of at least 5 seconds, preferably at least 10 seconds and more preferably 15 seconds, but not more than 55 seconds, preferably not more than 45 seconds and more preferably not more than 35 seconds is applied, but advantageously of 25 seconds and more preferably 20 seconds. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the treatment with the organic acid for at least 10 minutes, preferably at least 20 minutes and more preferably 30 minutes, but not more than 3 hours, preferably not more than 2 hours and more preferably not more than 1 hour, wherein the incubation time but advantageously is 50 minutes and more preferably 40 minutes. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brown algae comprise laminaria saccharina and / or laminaria japonica.