JP4489004B2 - Refrigerator with free amino acid increase function - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator with a function of increasing free amino acids, which can increase the production of free amino acids in food stored in the refrigerator and increase the umami component during storage.

The conventional method for increasing the production of free amino acids in foods is to dry the free amino acids of dry matter by activating the proteolytic enzyme by irradiating ultraviolet rays from an ultraviolet lamp at the same time as heating or heating during the drying or heating of marine products and agricultural products. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
Moreover, the refrigerator which has the preservability of the conventional foodstuffs and the function of improving the taste is set to a freezing room for maintaining the room temperature at a freezing temperature of −18 ° C. or lower, and the room temperature is set to a range of −10 ° C. ± 2 ° C. A maturation chamber is provided for maturation of umami by gradually causing degradation of proteins by enzymes while suppressing the growth of spoilage bacteria (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2002-142665 A (paragraphs 0012 to 0041, FIGS. 1 to 13) Japanese Patent No. 3451047 (paragraphs 0029 to 0035, 0042, FIG. 1)

In Patent Document 1, during the drying process or heating of marine products and agricultural products, ultraviolet rays are irradiated from an ultraviolet lamp simultaneously with heating with a heater to increase the production of free amino acids in dry matter by activating proteolytic enzymes. There was a problem that the target was only dry matter or mercury lamps containing mercury, and it was necessary to consider disposal after use.
Moreover, in patent document 2, since the protein is decomposed only by the action of the proteolytic enzyme contained in the food in the temperature range of −10 ° C. ± 2 ° C., the speed is slow and it takes a long time to increase the umami component. There was a problem that it took.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems. The object of the present invention is to irradiate food with ultraviolet rays by a light source, and the food is not limited to dried food or raw food. The function of the proteolytic enzyme contained therein is activated, whereby the amount of umami components can be increased during storage, and the refrigerator with a free amino acid increasing function that does not require special consideration for the disposal of the light source.

The refrigerator with an increase function of free amino acids according to the present invention is a drive that changes the position of the light source, which is disposed in the refrigerator main body and combines a light source that irradiates the UV light in the UV-A region having a different peak wavelength. Means, temperature detection means for detecting the temperature in the refrigerator main body, and control means for controlling the amount of ultraviolet light emitted from the light source based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means , the control means, When the ultraviolet irradiation amount of the light source becomes a constant value, the irradiation of the light source is stopped and the temperature in the refrigerator is lowered .
In addition, a light source that is arranged in the refrigerator main body and that combines LEDs that irradiate ultraviolet rays in UV-A regions having different peak wavelengths, a drive unit that changes the position of the light source, and a temperature in the refrigerator main body Temperature detecting means for detecting the amount of ultraviolet light emitted from the light source based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means, and the control means includes a time for taking out the food and a predetermined ultraviolet ray. Irradiation of ultraviolet rays by the light source is started so that the irradiation of ultraviolet rays ends at the extraction time based on the irradiation amount.

According to the present invention, the light source combining the LEDs that irradiate ultraviolet rays in the UV-A region having different peak wavelengths and the drive means for changing the position of the light source are provided. Therefore, the function of the proteolytic enzyme can be further activated, and the production of free amino acids can be increased, so that the umami component can be increased.
In addition, a control unit that controls the amount of ultraviolet light emitted from the light source based on the temperature inside the refrigerator body is provided, and the control unit is configured to control the light source when the amount of ultraviolet light irradiated from the light source becomes a constant value. While stopping the irradiation and lowering the temperature in the refrigerator, it is provided with a control means, and the control means stops the irradiation of the light source when the ultraviolet irradiation amount of the light source becomes a constant value, Since the temperature in the refrigerator is lowered, it is possible to prevent a decrease in umami components.
In addition, since the control means starts the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays by the light source so that the ultraviolet irradiation ends at the taking-out time based on the taking-out time of the food and a predetermined ultraviolet irradiation amount, The convenience can be improved because the umami component can be increased at a desired time simply by inputting.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a refrigerator with a free amino acid increasing function showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic configuration diagrams of a light source unit provided in a refrigerator, and FIG. 4 is a reciprocating drive means. FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the light source, FIG. 6 is an emission spectrum diagram of the light source, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of ultraviolet irradiation control of the light source.

  In FIG. 1, a refrigerator main body 1 having a function of increasing free amino acids includes a refrigerator compartment 2, an ice compartment 3, a select compartment 4, a vegetable compartment 5, and a freezer compartment 6. A storage 8 for storing fresh food such as shellfish and meat is provided. A storage case 9 is provided in the storage 8 to store fresh food and can be taken in and out, and a light source 11 for irradiating the fresh food placed in the storage case 9 with ultraviolet rays above the back inside the storage 8. And are provided. A control unit 16 that controls the light source 11 is also provided. The material of the storage case 9 is a plastic that transmits ultraviolet light, and a handle 10 is provided for pulling or pushing the storage case 9 forward. An operation unit 17 for setting a time for taking out a switch and food is provided on the door.

In FIG. 2, the light source unit 23 of the light source 11 disposed on the back surface of the storage 8 is attached to the substrate 111 and the substrate 111, and the LEDs a 11A, LEDb 11B, and LEDc 11C having different UV wavelengths in the UV-A region. And a blinking drive unit 112 that blinks these LEDs 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11c.
LEDa 11A, LEDb 11B, and LEDc 11C are each attached downward so that the irradiation direction (optical axis) faces the fresh food.
3 is arranged in two rows, the first row is LEDa 11A, LEDb 11B, and LEDc 11C, and the second row is reverse to LEDc 11C, LEDb 11B, and LEDa 11A. The food can be irradiated uniformly.

  In FIG. 4, the light source 11 includes the light source unit 23 and the reciprocating drive means 21 shown in FIG. The drive part 13 of the reciprocating drive means 21 has a rotating shaft 14A, and a drive plate 14B is attached to this part. Further, a cam 15 is provided in the middle of the drive plate 14B, whereby the drive plate 14B reciprocates. A substrate 111 is fixed to the drive plate 14B. And the reciprocating drive means 21 is attached to the wall surface or side surface of the back surface of the storage 8 via a fixing means (not shown).

  In FIG. 5, the control unit 16 is connected to the operation unit 17, the temperature sensor 19 and the light source 11 provided in the refrigerator main body 1, and includes a timer 20 that measures the irradiation time.

  Next, operation | movement of the storage 8 of the refrigerator which shows Embodiment 1 which concerns on this invention is demonstrated with FIGS. The target food may be either dry matter or raw food, but here, fresh food stored in the refrigerator is targeted. Moreover, the ultraviolet-ray irradiated from the light source 11 uses the thing of a UV-A area | region (wavelength range 320-380 nm).

Further, the wavelength of the ultraviolet light in the UV-A region irradiated from the light source 11 is such that the wavelength spectrum of the single LED is agile as shown in FIG. 6 and the wavelength band is narrow and slightly shifted from the peak wavelength. The light intensity at γ decreases and the activation of proteolytic enzymes decreases. For the activation of protein degrading enzymes, it is necessary to irradiate ultraviolet light having a wide bandwidth and a large amount of light irradiation. Therefore, by combining LEDa 11A, LEDb 11B, and LEDc 11C having different wavelengths, By increasing the light intensity and widening the band, the sensitivity to ultraviolet rays is increased, and the activation of protein degrading enzymes is increased.
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the wavelength band of each LED can be expanded approximately to 365 to 385 nm by setting LEDa 11A to 365 nm, LEDb 11B to 375 nm, and LEDc 11C to 385 nm.

The basic control of the light irradiation amount of the ultraviolet light from the light source 11 will be described. The light intensity is represented by the following equation (1), and the light irradiation amount is represented by the equation (2).
Light intensity 通電 Current applied to LED (1)
Light irradiation amount (J / cm ² · day) = light intensity (W / cm ² · day) × irradiation time (s) (2)
Therefore, the light intensity can be controlled by changing the energization to the light source 11. If the current value is determined, the light intensity is determined and the irradiation time may be set.

In order to increase the production of free amino acids in food and increase umami components during storage, to activate protein degrading enzymes, UV irradiation is performed, but in this case, an ultraviolet irradiation amount of a certain value or more is required, As the amount of light irradiation increases, the enzyme activity also increases. However, if the irradiation amount of ultraviolet rays exceeds 50 J / cm ² · day, an ultraviolet ray damage occurs in the food material, so it is necessary to set it to 50 J / cm ² · day or less.
On the other hand, the storage temperature is related to ultraviolet irradiation, and the enzyme activity increases as the temperature increases.
Since the refrigerator is often stored at a low temperature, ultraviolet irradiation is mainly used, but it is necessary to control the ultraviolet irradiation amount in consideration of a temperature factor.
Therefore, it is necessary to control by multiplying the light irradiation amount according to the equation (2) by the acceleration coefficient depending on the temperature.

When increasing the amount of free amino acids in food and increasing umami, first, the food is put in the storage case 9 and pushed into the storage box 8, and then the food is taken out of the storage box 8 at the operation unit 17, for example, at a meal. Set the time. At this time, an irradiation start signal from the control unit 16 is output, the blinking drive unit 112 attached to the substrate 111 is operated by the signal from the control unit 16, and the LEDa 11A, LEDb 11B, and LEDc 11C are turned on, Irradiate food with ultraviolet rays. At the same time, the driving unit 13 of the reciprocating driving means 21 of the light source 11 is turned on, and the driving plate 14B is converted into a reciprocating motion via the cam 15 to reciprocate the substrate 111 integral with the driving plate 14B in the vertical direction. Therefore, ultraviolet rays with different wavelengths are irradiated evenly on food.
Although the reciprocating drive means 21 in FIG. 4 performs a reciprocating motion in the vertical direction, the reciprocating drive means 21 may be mounted in a direction perpendicular to the substrate 111 to drive the substrate in the horizontal direction. Both may be reciprocated. At this time, the reciprocating speed need not be high, but may be low.

Irradiation of ultraviolet rays from the light source 11 does not necessarily have to be performed continuously, and thus, for example, intermittent irradiation as shown in FIG. The storage temperature is a constant T1, t1 is the operation time of the operation unit 17, and t4 is the time taken out from the storage 8.
Further, since there is an operation of pulling the storage case 9 forward and then pushing it in, it is possible to irradiate intermittently by irradiating for a certain period of time from this push-in timing.
For example, when the light irradiation amount is 10 J / m ² · day and the light intensity is 0.5 mW / cm ² , the irradiation time is about 320 min / day. If the storage case 9 is taken in and out on average 20 times, the irradiation time per time is about 16 min.

  As described above, the action of the proteolytic enzyme containing the food 12 is activated by UV-A ultraviolet irradiation, the production of free amino acids is increased, and as a result, the umami component is increased.

In order to prevent the UV irradiation amount from reaching 50 J / cm ² · day, when the current value to the light source 11 is constant, the control means 16 measures the irradiation time with the timer 20 and 50 J / cm ^{2. When the} day comes, the power supply to the light source 11 is stopped.
Further, the reason for irradiating until mealtime is that, depending on the degree of enzyme activity depending on the temperature after the end of irradiation, the appropriate enzyme activity may be too high and the umami may be reduced.

In addition, although the irradiation of ultraviolet rays from the light source 11 is intermittent, as shown in FIG. 7B, the storage temperature is constant (T1) and the food take-out time t4 is set as a predetermined ultraviolet irradiation. Irradiation of ultraviolet rays by the light source 11 may be started at t2 so that the irradiation of ultraviolet rays ends at the extraction time t4 based on the amount. For example, assuming that the storage temperature is constant, the irradiation time when irradiation ends after 10 h (t1 to t4) is as follows.
Irradiation time = 10J / cm ² · day (light dose) /0.5mw/cm ² · day (light intensity) = about 320 (min)
That is, when irradiation is performed intermittently, the irradiation time (t2 to t4) is set to 320 min.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7 (c), even if the irradiation is not completed after 10 hours, the irradiation is started at the storage temperature T1 from the time when the food is put in the storage (t1), and the necessary irradiation time is completed. (T3), the storage temperature may be lowered by T2. This is because, when the temperature is low, the enzyme activity is low and the scum does not decrease. When the temperature is lowered, the storage 8 is preferably provided in the select chamber 4.

As described above, since it is provided in the refrigerator main body and includes a light source that combines LEDs that irradiate ultraviolet rays in UV-A regions having different peak wavelengths, and a drive unit that changes the position of the light source, It is possible to expand the irradiation area of the UV-A region where the wavelength band is widened and to equalize the irradiation, to irradiate the food with UV light of different wavelengths, and to increase the production of free amino acids efficiently. It can be increased effectively.
In addition, because it has multiple LEDs for each peak wavelength of the light source, it is possible to irradiate foods with evenly different wavelengths of UV light and efficiently increase the production of free amino acids, effectively increasing the umami component Can do.

Further, since the driving means reciprocates the light source in at least one of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, the irradiation area of the UV-A area having a wide wavelength band can be enlarged and the irradiation can be equalized. In addition, it is possible to irradiate foods with ultraviolet rays having different wavelengths equally and efficiently increase the production of free amino acids, so that the umami component can be effectively increased.
Moreover, since the temperature detection means for detecting the temperature in the refrigerator main body is provided and the control means for controlling the irradiation ultraviolet ray amount of the light source based on the detected temperature is provided, the ultraviolet irradiation can be efficiently performed. it can.

Further, the control means stops the irradiation of the light source and lowers the temperature in the refrigerator when the UV irradiation amount of the light source becomes a constant value, so that it is possible to prevent a decrease in umami components. .
In addition, the control means starts the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays by the light source so that the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays is completed at the extraction time based on the time of taking out the food and a predetermined ultraviolet ray irradiation amount. By simply doing this, the umami component can be increased at the desired time, which improves convenience.
Further, since the ultraviolet irradiation amount is controlled to 50 J / cm 2 · day or less, it is possible to prevent the ultraviolet ray from being damaged in the food material.

Moreover, if LEDa 11A, LEDb 11B, and LEDc 11C of the light source 11 are not directly soldered but mounted on a substrate via a connector, it is possible to quickly cope with a failure of the LED.
In addition, the light source 11 is in the UV-A region, and is higher in safety than UV-B of a sterilizing ultraviolet lamp. Furthermore, unlike an ultraviolet lamp for sterilization, it is an environment-friendly light source that does not contain mercury.

In the present embodiment, three LEDs having different wavelengths are used, but two to four or more LEDs may be used, and the wavelength band can be expanded.
Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the storage 8 was installed in the refrigerator compartment 2, the installation place may be the select room 4, the vegetable compartment 5, and the freezer compartment 6. Moreover, the structure which attached the light source directly to the wall etc. of each room may be sufficient. In this case, it is only necessary to control the irradiation ultraviolet ray amount, the irradiation start time, etc. in consideration of the temperature factor, and the umami component can be increased.

Further, the light source 11 may be turned on or off in conjunction with the movement of the storage case 9, may be separately pressed, or may be turned on or off using another means.
Further, if the light is irregularly reflected by attaching an aluminum foil to the inner wall of the storage case 9 where the light source 11 is not provided, the entire food can be irradiated and the effect can be enhanced.
Moreover, since it irradiates intermittently, energy saving can be aimed at.
Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the umami component increase function was attached to the refrigerator, the storage as a single function which has only an umami component increase function may be sufficient.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the drive plate 14B (board | substrate 111) was driven, the same effect is acquired by driving the foodstuff 12 side conversely.

Embodiment 2
In the first embodiment, the light source is reciprocated, but in the present embodiment, the light source is rotationally driven.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a light source provided in the storage of a refrigerator with a function of increasing free amino acids according to Embodiment 23 of the present invention and having a rotation drive means.
In FIG. 8, the same or corresponding parts as in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment and FIG. 4 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The rotation driving means 22 has a substrate 111 attached to the rotation shaft 14 of the driving unit 13. And the rotation drive means 22 is attached to the back surface of the storage 8 or the wall surface of a side surface via a fixing means (not shown).
Since the LEDa 11A, LEDb 11B, and LEDc 11C of the light source 11 are tilted and attached, there is a case where the irradiation direction becomes upward due to rotation. Therefore, a reflective member (not shown) is provided on the top surface of the storage 8 so as to reflect the light downward.

Next, the operation of the light source of the refrigerator storage 8 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described.
When the drive unit 13 is turned on by the irradiation start signal from the control unit 16 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 of the first embodiment, the substrate 111 rotates and the food is irradiated with ultraviolet rays having different wavelengths evenly. .

  As described above, since the light source 11 is provided with the rotation driving means 22 for rotating the light source 11 along the back surface or the side wall surface, the irradiation area can be enlarged and the irradiation can be equalized. Since it is possible to irradiate ultraviolet rays having different wavelengths evenly and efficiently increase the production of free amino acids, the umami component can be effectively increased.

It is a schematic block diagram of the refrigerator with a free amino acid increase function which shows Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the light source part provided in the store | warehouse | chamber of the refrigerator with a free amino acid increase function which shows Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the light source part provided in the store | warehouse | chamber of the refrigerator with a free amino acid increase function which shows Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the light source which has the reciprocating drive means of the refrigerator with a free amino acid increase function which shows Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a control block diagram of the light source of the refrigerator with a free amino acid increase function which shows Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an emission spectrum figure of the light source of the refrigerator with a free amino acid increase function which shows Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the ultraviolet irradiation control of the light source of the refrigerator with a free amino acid increase function which shows Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the light source which has the reciprocating drive means of the refrigerator with a free amino acid increase function which shows Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator main body, 2 refrigerator compartment, 8 storage, 9 storage case, 11 light source, 11A LEDa, 11B LEDb, 11C LEDc, 111 board | substrate, 12 foodstuff, 13 drive part, 16 control means, 17 operation part, 19 temperature sensor, 21 reciprocating drive means, 22 rotational drive means.

Claims (2)

A light source that combines LEDs arranged in the refrigerator main body and irradiating ultraviolet rays in the UV-A region having different peak wavelengths;
Driving means for changing the position of the light source;
Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the refrigerator body;
Control means for controlling the amount of ultraviolet light emitted from the light source based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means ,
The said control means stops the irradiation of the said light source when the ultraviolet irradiation amount of the said light source becomes a fixed value, and lowers the temperature in the said refrigerator, The refrigerator with a free amino acid increase function characterized by the above-mentioned . A light source that combines LEDs arranged in the refrigerator main body and irradiating ultraviolet rays in the UV-A region having different peak wavelengths;
Driving means for changing the position of the light source;
Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the refrigerator body;
Control means for controlling the amount of ultraviolet light emitted from the light source based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means ,
The control means starts to irradiate the ultraviolet light by the light source so that the ultraviolet irradiation is completed at the taking-out time based on the taking-out time of the food and a predetermined ultraviolet irradiation amount. Function refrigerator.

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