GB191303096A - Improvements in and relating to the Process of and Apparatus for Producing Diastatic Products and the Product Obtained thereby. - Google Patents

Abstract

3096. Takamine, J. Feb. 6. Diastase.-A diastatic substance applicable as a malt substitute is obtained by growing upon a medium of wheat bran, comminuted grain, &c. containing an antiseptic, the spores of a fungus which produces diastase, such as a fungus of the genus aspergillus and particularly aspergillus oryzae. The spores are acclimatized to growth on a medium containing antiseptic by repeated culture on media containing increasing quantities of antiseptic. The acclimatized spores are sown on a medium containing less antiseptic than that to which the spores have been accustomed, and growth is allowed to proceed to the moyashi or the koji stage. The product may be dried at 40‹ C. and the fungus separated from the medium by sieving. The culture medium may be agitated continuously during growth 'of the ferment in a rotary drum 1 having stationary side conduits 14, for the entrance and exit of air, and stationary spray pipes 23 directed towards the falling surface of the medium. The medium may be sterilized by steam in the drum prior to addition of the antiseptic and the spores. Water containing small proportions of acetic, tartaric, citric, or phosphoric acid, and halides of the alkalies or alkaline earth such as sodium chloride or fluoride, may be used for moistening the medium. As antiseptics, formaldehyde, and hydrofluoric, benzoic, or salicylic acids or their salts may be used; preferably a mixture of sodium fluoride and salicylic or benzoic acid is employed. The diastatic enzyme may be extracted from the medium by washing with water containing alcohol. The solution may be concentrated at a low temperature and the enzyme precipitated by the addition of alcohol.