RU2772845C2 - Method for disintegration/separation, as well as leaching of plant shell materials and components for extraction and production of plant ingredients and plant fibrous products - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: material processing.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to a method for processing plant raw materials. Plant raw materials that are subjected to certain technological stages during the method are disintegrated. Plant raw materials are prepared. Raw materials are combined with a disintegrating solution and kept in it until the disintegration is reached. Components of disintegrated raw materials are distributed to obtain solid components and dissolved components of plant raw materials. Solid components are separated from dissolved components of plant raw materials. Separated components of plant raw materials are extracted as a processed fraction by separation of fibers based on cellulose from lignin-enriched shell of solid components of plant raw materials by the eddy current method and obtaining a purified fraction of fibers based on cellulose, as well as lignin-enriched shell. Aggregation/complex-formation of dissolved proteins of dissolved components of plant raw materials is performed, using a complexing agent. Precipitated aggregated/complex-bound condensed proteins are separated to form aggregated/complex-bound protein mass.

EFFECT: use of the group of inventions will allow for quality processing of plant raw materials and obtaining a quality final product.

6 cl, 1 tbl, 14 ex

Description

State of the art

Nearly all plant products used for propagation, such as seeds, kernels or grains, and other plant products, like fruits, are surrounded by at least one shell layer to counteract the activation/start of the growth process, to ensure preservation and/or supply and /or let them be structured. This is achieved due to the fact that such shell layers guarantee a completely isolated protection against physical or chemical changes. The task of such shell layers in the development phase of plant products is to supply water as well as nutrients, and they are the site of formation of the components that are contained in seeds or grains, such as proteins, carbohydrates and fats, which are surrounded by these layers. Therefore, such shell layers contain a large number of enzymes, as well as compounds responsible for the production of components of the content that they surround. Therefore, for example, high concentrations of starting materials and precursor compounds of these components, such as carboxylic acids (eg ascorbic acid or cinnamic acid), or enzymes, or antioxidants, or coloring agents, are also present in these shell layers. In addition, compounds are also synthesized by the shell layers, or compounds are deposited in them, which should counteract the decomposition / impact of micro- or macro-organisms. These include, for example, odorous or flavoring substances, as well as toxins. When the maturation of plant products is completed, the shell layers are compacted, and the supply of nutrients is stopped. Compaction in different seeds and grains is expressed to varying degrees. In this case, in most cases, cross-linking of lignin and/or cellulose occurs with the formation of a dense continuous layer. As a result, the water-conducting capillaries located in it are also closed. As a consequence, plant products receive mechanical protection against disintegration, as well as protection against swelling of the coated components, as well as protection against water loss. In the dried state, such shell layers are connected without gaps to the mass inside. Therefore, the shell layers of plant products, which are intended for reproduction, are very difficult or impossible to separate by physical means from the components surrounding them. This applies in particular to the shell layer, which is directly adjacent to the surrounding components. Physical separation is not possible, in particular when the shell layer is very thin and has physical properties, such as elasticity or density, close to those of the surrounding components. This is the case, for example, in the case of the shell layer of walnuts or soybeans, in which purely mechanical selective removal of the shell layer after drying is not possible.

Seeds, kernels or grains of plants are important nutritional components and are offered as foodstuffs, sometimes not crushed or completely or partially crushed and/or in the form of fractions. For many seeds and grains, it is necessary to completely remove one or all of the shell layers, since their residue leads to undesirable effects in the food product. In addition, harmful organoleptic effects such as bitter taste or discoloration of the resulting products may also be adversely affected by the taste sensation in the mouth during consumption, due to the fact that the particle sizes obtained during processing and the hardness of the shell material change according to compared to those of herbal ingredients. Many such shell layers can swell as a result of absorption of water, causing a water-filled gap to form between the shell layer and the surrounding mass of components. It is known that such swelling in a water bath at room temperature occurs very slowly or does not occur at all, while in hot water or in a stream of water vapor this process can be significantly accelerated or started. The heating preferably also destroys and/or inactivates organic compounds which have toxic properties and/or are inedible, such as, for example, ureases or trypsin inhibitors. Organoleptic compounds which lead to undesirable organoleptic effects such as bitterness or astringency generally cannot be eliminated by heating and remain in the seeds, grains or kernels freed from the shell material. However, the disadvantage is that heating in humid conditions leads to several undesirable effects. First, the proteins found in processed seeds and grains are at least partially denatured and inactivate health-beneficial organic compounds such as vitamins. Secondly, there is an increased swelling of the starch contained in them. In addition, the fatty acids present can be chemically modified so that, for example, trans-fatty acids or epoxides are formed, which are harmful to health. Therefore, methods that allow separation of the shell materials at room temperature or with only slight heating are preferred over methods that heat the plant materials.

From the prior art there are no methods by which it would be possible at room temperature or even at a lower temperature to carry out a complete and easy to implement separation of the coating materials from the seeds and grains of plants. In particular, nothing is said about how the maturation of embryos or germination in an aquatic environment, at room temperature or a slightly higher temperature, can be prevented by storing plant products that serve for reproduction. Thus, there is a need for a method that would allow the complete and simple removal of the shell material of vegetable hulls, skins or husks, without initiating the maturation of seeds, grains or kernels or leading to changes in the components contained or, to the formation of unhealthy / toxic connections.

In many seeds, kernels and grains, the components also contain root formers, the so-called embryos or sprouts. In many cases, their presence in a product intended for human consumption is undesirable and/or there is an interest in isolating these germs or root formers as a separate processable fraction, for example to obtain an oil from the germs. Therefore, separation of germs and/or root formers is desirable in many areas. To be able to do this, it is necessary to remove the shell layers, since the embryos and root formers are structurally related to the rest of the components of the seeds or kernels and are located inside the innermost shell layer. In the methods of the prior art, the embryos are separated mechanically, while the embryos are cut off by impact. In this case, damage/breaking off of the components of seeds, grains or kernels inevitably occurs, as well as falling into or joint removal of fragments of the shell material. From the prior art there are no methods by which it would be possible, under mild conditions and while maintaining the integrity of the separated germs/root formers, as well as other components of seeds, grains or kernels, to separate these structures from each other. In particular, there is no way to separate the germs/root formers from the other components of the seeds, kernels and grains under mild conditions, while gently and completely separating the shell materials so that different fractions can be obtained easily and in an unchanged form. Therefore, it is desirable to have a process capable of satisfying these conditions, allowing seeds and plant kernels to be obtained in a disintegrated state and to obtain a separated shell material in a state suitable for further use.

Of economic interest are also shells, peels or husks, not suitable for human nutrition, which are separated from seeds and plant nuclei. Sometimes they accumulate in large quantities, as, for example, in the processing of rice or sunflower seeds. This shell material generally has no nutritional value, since it consists predominantly of cellulose and/or lignins in the form of high molecular weight compounds and therefore cannot be digested during human digestion. In addition, as described above, organic and/or inorganic compounds are often contained or firmly attached, which cause an unpleasant taste or smell or color, or are toxic or inedible. On the other hand, organic compounds may be contained or attached which have beneficial health effects and which are desirable in the food product. Therefore, there is also interest in making the casings, skins or husks available in a form suitable for human consumption. Plant casing materials are used in the form that can be obtained in accordance with the state of the art, as animal feed, soil fertilizer or raw material for the fermentation process. Methods by which the shell material can be prepared so that it is suitable for use in human nutrition and does not have undesirable organoleptic or nutritional effects, and also contains health-beneficial compounds and remains available, are not known in the prior art. Thus, there is a need to disintegrate or dissolve plant coating materials so that they can be freed from undesirable components/compounds and also brought into a physical form that is suitable for human nutrition.

Surprisingly, a method has been found that allows for both the gentle removal of shell materials from plant seeds and grains while maintaining the integrity of the components, and the gentle separation of the germs/root formers. In addition, this method can be used to obtain a shell material that is disintegrated and separated from other raw material components, in which, due to the production conditions, toxins and/or inedible compounds and/or compounds that cause undesirable organoleptic effects are inactivated and/or removed and/or neutralized. Further, unexpectedly, a method has been developed by which the separated shell material can be disintegrated and converted into a soluble form (leached), thereby obtaining new advantageous possibilities for using the separated or leached shell materials.

Cellulose-based fibers are the main component of the indigestible carbohydrates of plant materials used in food, which make up the bulk of the dietary fiber. Here, "indigestible" means that these compounds are not broken down by enzymes of the human gastrointestinal tract, such as, for example, amylases, and thus can be broken down into sugary C6 compounds, which are digestible. Thus, cellulose-based fibers remain in a substantially unchanged form in the intestinal contents and are therefore components of the stool. In particular, due to their ability to bind water, they are a very important regulator of the consistency of the contents of the colon. This also determines the time of passage of the feces formed in it. The importance of a diet rich in dietary fiber in reducing intestinal disease and eliminating problems with the passage of intestinal contents has been unequivocally demonstrated in a large number of clinical studies. How, it has been shown that the incidence of colorectal cancer can be reduced by a high-fibre diet. In addition, a reduction in elevated cholesterol levels and related cardiovascular diseases has been confirmed. The stool-regulating function of fiber-rich dietary fiber has also been confirmed in chronic constipation, which is especially common in the elderly. In addition, probiotic effects resulting from the partial degradation of cellulose-based fibers by the human colon microbiome have also been documented. Such effects are believed to be responsible for the lower incidence of carcinoma outside the colon, for example, due to short chain fatty acids or phytosterols, which are formed or released from the microbial degradation of cellulose-based fibers and can pass through the colon wall. The World Health Organization and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strongly recommend consuming 30 g dw of fiber. in a day. This goal is not achieved in the vast majority of diets practiced in industrialized countries, as well as in countries with economies in transition. There is an inverse correlation between dietary fiber intake and the incidence and severity of obesity and diabetes mellitus and the resulting mortality. However, the practical feasibility of dietary fiber recommendations, for various reasons, such as insufficient supply from producers or implicit social behavior, has not been established despite all known information and explanations. Thus, there is a strong need to provide dietary fiber that can be added to or supplemented with foodstuffs and that satisfies the organoleptic and functional requirements of the food, thereby increasing the weight fraction of dietary fiber in the food product.

Surprisingly, it has been found that the process according to the invention for the disintegration of vegetable husks and peels also results in the leaching of other components of the vegetable raw material, in particular grains, kernels and nuts, as well as other plant products. Thus, it has been found that by means of the disintegration of the shells or skins carried out according to the invention, which ensures complete leaching or separation of other components of the vegetable raw material from the shells or skins, the soluble components of the vegetable raw materials are hydrated and can very easily be completely transferred into the aqueous distribution volume and separated from shells and skins. Other positive properties have been found in relation to the recoverability of dissolved soluble organic compounds. Thus, an aggregation method has been found with which it is very easy to cause the aggregation and condensation of dissolved soluble organic compounds, in particular proteins and carbohydrates, as a result of which they can be separated by known methods and obtained in the form of pure fractions.

Description

The invention relates to a method in which the disintegration of plant casing materials is carried out, providing an acceleration of the softening of plant casing materials compared to the method according to the prior art, while under mild conditions. In this regard, "soft" means that the detachable casing material and the remaining components of the raw material, in particular kernels, grains and nuts, retain their integrity, i.e. preferably remain physically intact, i.e. no fragmentation occurs. In addition, "gentle products" means that the mechanical change occurs to a markedly lesser extent than occurs in the methods according to the prior art. In this context, "food-friendly" also means that the temperature increase is preferably limited to <120°C, more preferably <100°C, more preferably <90°C, more preferably <75°C, more preferably <60°C, more preferably <50°C and even more preferably <40°C. But "friendly products" also means that the leaching process, which uses higher temperatures, can produce, for example, organic compounds, in particular cellulose-based fibers and lignin-rich skins, without the need for mechanical grinding of the raw materials for this. In this way, various product-sparing effects can be achieved in different embodiments of the process, which have a direct impact on the products obtained and/or on the economics of the process. The method is particularly well suited for effecting a complete separation of the coating materials from the other components of the plant material without compromising the structural integrity or disintegrating the encapsulated plant products as a whole. In one preferred embodiment, this is achieved by introducing the seeds, grains or kernels from which it is desired to separate the shell material into a solution in which soluble disintegrant compounds are dissolved. In one embodiment, the disintegrant compounds are cationic amino acids and or peptides. Surprisingly, it has been found that this leads to an abrupt onset of hydration of plant casing materials already at room temperature or at lower temperatures, the hydration proceeding noticeably faster and more completely than with an aqueous solution containing compounds known from the prior art, such as, for example, NaOH. In addition, it has been found that plant hulls that have been disintegrated and hydrated by one of the methods of the invention can be brought to separation much more easily than is possible by treating them with other aqueous solutes. It turned out unexpectedly that during the disintegration and hydration of the plant coats of seeds and grains carried out according to the invention, thinning / dissolution occurs, always at the same place or in the same region of the shell layer, depending on the plant species, where then spontaneously or in a slight mechanical change results in perforation of the shell material. Hence, with a small mechanical shear of the shell, the rupture continues while maintaining the integrity of the rest of the shell material. It has been found that, depending on the duration and the concentration of amino acids/peptides, complete perforation occurs spontaneously or becomes possible with very little mechanical energy input, for example in the form of shear, whereby the shell material lags completely and in one piece from the seeds, grains or kernels. It turned out that the complete removal of the shell material can be reliably guaranteed by one of the embodiments of the method according to the invention.

Preferred is a process that is gentle on the products of disintegration/perforation or separation of the coating material of seeds, grains or plant nuclei.

Surprisingly, a substantially selective disintegration of the plant coat material, with substantially complete integrity of the remaining components of the seeds, grains or kernels, can be achieved by placing them in a solution containing dissolved amino acids and/or peptides under conditions of elevated temperature. In this case, spontaneous exfoliation of the shell material occurs. As expected, the process of disintegration of the shell material is accelerated when heated to temperatures >80°C or 90°C. Surprisingly, however, the period of time required for this can be so short that there is no significant swelling, disintegration or damage to the remaining components of the seeds, grains or kernels enclosed in the shell material. Thus, the selective disintegration of the plant coat material can be successfully carried out under conditions that are mild to other components of the seeds, grains or kernels. In one embodiment, this solution according to the invention is heated together with seeds, grains or kernels completely immersed in it, preferably to temperatures >70°C. Preferably, the seeds or kernels are agitated during the process. It turned out that under these conditions, complete separation of the shell materials occurs. Here, too, the shell material is intact, except for the perforations. Surprisingly, seeds or kernels in solutions containing dissolved amino acids and/or peptides no longer swell at elevated temperature, as they did in a cold aqueous solution.

Preferred is the method of completely separating/removing the shell material from seeds or plant nuclei.

Preferred is a method of disintegration and leaching of plant materials, in which the technological stage b) is carried out together with thermal and/or mechanical disintegration, or thermal and/or mechanical disintegration is carried out in the technological stage b1) after the completion of the technological stage b).

Surprisingly, it was found that with an increase in the concentration of amino acids and/or peptides, there is a slowdown or complete inhibition of germination/emergence of seeds, grains or kernels introduced into such a solution. Thus, although in the case of soybeans, which were kept for 8 days in a solution containing lysine at a concentration of 0.4 mol/l, an increase in volume of up to 160 vol.% was observed, as well as extensive peeling of the shell layers, but the growth of the embryos did not occur. On the other hand, soybeans that were exposed to the same time in water developed seedlings 2 to 4 cm long. At the same time, the shell material was removed with great difficulty and not completely. In addition, the beans had a volume increase of 280% by volume. This effect has also been confirmed for other seeds and grains, such as beans. In addition, a very advantageous effect was obtained, which can be used for the utilization of embryos/sprouts. It was found that after the peeling of the shell material, which was achieved by keeping the raw materials in the leaching solution according to the invention and which occurred spontaneously or as a result of a slight mechanical change in the shell, as well as in the presence of a slight swelling of the seeds or grains, the already formed seedlings/seedlings were in germinating layer in an exfoliated form and could be very easily separated from the seeds or grains. This can only be achieved by passing the seeds or grains pre-treated in this way through a tube or sleeve, while both the shell material and the embryos/seedlings are separated from the seeds or grains. Thus, the mechanical separation of the embryos or seedlings can be greatly simplified. In addition, germs or seedlings could be separated from seeds or grains together with disintegrated shell materials in one operation and divided.

Preferred is a method of disintegration and leaching of plant materials, in which, in addition to disintegration and/or separation and/or dissolution of plant shell materials, the separation of germs/seedlings is carried out.

Preferred is the method of facilitating the separation of the embryos/seedlings.

Preferred is a method of disintegration and leaching of plant materials, which slows down or prevents the maturation of seeds and/or grains of plants.

Surprisingly, it has been found that seeds and grains which have been freed from their surrounding shell material by one of the methods according to the invention can be processed further in a particularly advantageous manner. This concerns, in particular, further processing for conversion into a soluble form (leaching) of individual components of seeds and grains. Thus, it has turned out that by grinding seeds and grains from which the coating materials according to the invention have been removed and the swelling is in the range of 100 to 200 vol.%, a fine-grained mass can be obtained in a short time using a knife drum mill, and then in the process aqueous leaching is completely separated into their components. It is particularly advantageous in this respect that, compared with untreated seeds or grains, substantially less energy is required and no dust is generated during grinding. Thus, one of the methods according to the invention is also directed to the disintegration and hydration of the plant material, in which the disintegration/separation of the shell and/or skin takes place.

Preferred is a method in which, in addition to the disintegration/separation of the shell and/or peel of the plant material, the disintegration/hydration of the remaining components of the plant material is also carried out. Seeds, grains and kernels are preferred. In further studies, it was shown that in the case of seeds or grains that had been pre-treated in this way, it was possible to separate the individual components very easily by means of a water leaching method. In one preferred embodiment of the method, seeds or grains are completely freed from shell materials by one of the methods according to the invention and immediately or later, in a still swollen state, are fed to the grinding or grinding process, resulting in a fine-grained, dust-free mass, which is combined with a leaching solution. In one embodiment, immediately after or after the leaching phase, solids separation by filtration is preferably carried out. As a result, complex or complex-linked carbohydrates in the form of particles are preferably obtained, as well as fibers based on cellulose with a filter cake, preferably they are completely or essentially completely freed from soluble components of the raw material, in particular proteins and soluble carbohydrates. In addition, from the filtrate, an aqueous solution is obtained, essentially or completely free of fibers, in which soluble proteins and carbohydrates are dissolved.

Surprisingly, it turned out that dissolved soluble compounds can be aggregated and condensed in a very advantageous manner, which makes it very easy to separate them from the aqueous distribution phase. Preferably, the protein fraction is selectively removed by condensation/aggregation/complexation and/or filtration or centrifugal separation techniques and is obtained as a pure product. Such selective condensation/aggregation/complexation of dissolved proteins can be achieved, for example, by adding an organic acid, such as citric acid or acetic acid. Thus, using one of the methods according to the invention, it is possible to separate seeds and plant kernels from the shell/skin material, and also very simply to separate the obtained seeds, kernels and plant grains into their individual components. It turned out that after swelling of seeds, grains or kernels in an aqueous solution that does not contain the compounds of the invention for disintegration or leaching, leaching of the components of the seeds, grains or kernels with subsequent dispersion in an aqueous distribution volume was impossible. Surprisingly, it turned out that the separation of the components hydrated by the method according to the invention can be carried out in an aqueous distribution volume if one of the solutions according to the invention containing dissolved compounds for disintegration is used for disintegration/leaching. While the preferred compounds for disintegration/leaching are amino acids and/or peptides. It can be shown that for the embodiments of the method, in which first the disintegration of the shell material is carried out in combination with the swelling of seeds, grains or nuclei in solutions according to the invention, and then mechanical disintegration, for complete leaching of the components of the plant material, further exposure to an aqueous solution according to the invention containing disintegrating agents connection, is not required, in contrast to the method in which the separation of the shell/peel was carried out in a different way. Thus, the method in one embodiment allows for both disintegration and leaching and separation of the vegetable shell and peel, as well as the subsequent disintegration/leaching of the remaining components of the raw material, as well as their separation and recovery. Thus, it has surprisingly turned out that with the aqueous leaching solution according to the invention, it is possible to achieve both the disintegration of the plant coating material and its separation from the seeds, grains or kernels, and the subsequent leaching of the components of the seeds, grains or kernels by the water leaching method.

Preferred is a method in which water leaching and separation of the components of the seeds, grains or kernels is made possible by disintegration and/or separation of the shell material and/or swelling of the seeds, grains or kernels in an aqueous solution containing dissolved amino acids and/or peptides.

Preferred is a process for separating the plant coat material while maintaining the structural integrity of the separated coat materials and/or components of seeds, grains or plant nuclei.

Preferred is the method of obtaining preparations of plant casing material using fiber compositions.

Preferred preparations of plant shell material, which can be obtained by the method of disintegration and leaching of plant material.

It is preferable to use preparations of vegetable casing material for fiber compositions.

Preferred is the method of leaching seeds, grains or plant nuclei.

Surprisingly, it turned out that the disintegration of the plant material carried out in accordance with the invention also makes it possible to extract the components that it contains. In one preferred embodiment, the disintegration is carried out to recover soluble proteins and carbohydrates, as well as fibers based on cellulose and/or lignin-rich shell. In particular, for the disintegration according to the invention with sulfites and urea, in addition to disintegration, leaching of seeds, grains and kernels can also take place, which, using the method described here, leads to the complete dissolution of proteins, which are then in a dissolved state and which can be subjected to aggregation , condensation, separation and recovery by means of the method described here. So, for example, for soybeans, it was shown that if they are completely immersed in an aqueous disintegration solution in which sodium sulfite and/or urea are dissolved at a concentration of 1 wt.%, and the medium is heated to 125 ° C at an atmospheric pressure of 1.4 bar, the components can then be completely dispersed in the aqueous distribution volume by passing the suspension through a high shear colloid mill. Filtration of the resulting aqueous distribution phase allowed a solids fraction to be obtained which, according to microscopic analysis, contained no soluble residues. On the other hand, dissolved proteins present in the filtered process fluid may aggregate/complex with aggregating/complexing compounds, causing the latter to condense and precipitate, and after precipitation may be separated from the free aqueous phase by filtration or centrifugal separation methods and then be in the form of a pasty / creamy mass. The protein concentration was determined by chemical analysis to be 75% by weight. Similar results have been found for the disintegration of other plant starting materials such as sunflower seeds, corn grits or jatropha, as well as rapeseed cake. Regularly received protein isolates or concentrates.

Thus, in one preferred embodiment of the method, the disintegration is carried out with or without one of the leaching methods according to the invention to recover the soluble components of the plant material.

Thus, the preferred method is the disintegration and leaching of plant materials with the following technological steps:

a) preparation of vegetable raw materials,

b) combining the raw material with the disintegrating solution and keeping it in the disintegrating solution until disintegration is achieved,

c) distribution of the components of the disintegrated raw materials in the distribution volume,

d) separating solid components from dissolved components,

e) recovery of fractions of valuable substances from the separated components by

e1) separating the cellulose-based fibers from the lignin-rich casing by means of the eddy current method and obtaining purified fractions of the cellulose-based fibers and the lignin-rich casing,

e2) aggregating/complexing the dissolved proteins with a complexing agent and separating the precipitated aggregated/complex-bound condensed proteins to obtain an aggregated/complex-bound protein mass.

In this case, the technological stage b) can optionally be carried out together with thermal and/or mechanical disintegration or, optionally, thermal and/or mechanical disintegration is carried out in an optional technological stage b1) at the end of the technological stage b).

The solid components obtained by the disintegration process, in which the disintegrating solution did not contain the amino acids and/or peptides according to the invention, had a noticeable species-specific odor. Therefore, the method of disintegration and leaching of plant materials with the following technological stages is preferable:

a) preparation of vegetable raw materials,

b) combining the raw material with a disintegrating solution containing amino acids and/or peptides and keeping in the disintegrating/leaching solution until disintegration is achieved,

c) distribution of the components of the disintegrated raw materials in the distribution volume,

d) separating the solid components from the dissolved components of the plant material,

e) recovery of valuable fractions from the separated components by

e1) separating the cellulose-based fibers from the lignin-rich casing by means of the eddy current method and obtaining purified fractions of the cellulose-based fibers as well as the lignin-rich casing,

e2) aggregating/complexing the dissolved proteins with a complexing agent and separating the precipitated aggregated/complex-bound condensed proteins to obtain an aggregated/complex-bound protein mass.

In this case, the preferred embodiment of the method is characterized by the following technological stages:

Method for disintegration and leaching of vegetable raw materials with technological stages

a) preparation of vegetable raw materials,

b) combining the raw material with the disintegrating solution and keeping it in the disintegrating solution until disintegration is achieved,

c) distributing the components of the disintegrated raw materials in the distribution volume to obtain solid components and dissolved components of plant raw materials,

d) separating the solid components from the dissolved components of the plant material,

e) extraction of a valuable fraction from the separated components of plant materials by

e1) separating the cellulose-based fibers from the lignin-rich shell of the solid components of the plant material by means of the eddy current method and obtaining purified fractions of the cellulose-based fibers as well as the lignin-rich shell,

e2) aggregation/complexation of the dissolved proteins of the dissolved components of the vegetable raw materials with the help of a complexing agent and separation of the precipitated aggregated/complex-bound condensed proteins, obtaining an aggregated/complex-bound protein mass.

In this case, the technological stage b) can optionally be carried out together with thermal and/or mechanical disintegration or, optionally, thermal and/or mechanical disintegration is carried out in an optional technological stage b1) at the end of the technological stage b).

In comparative studies, it has been possible to show that when using the amino acids and/or peptides according to the invention, the resulting cellulose-based fibers and/or the lignin-rich casing no longer contain odorous and/or flavoring substances.

Further, it is particularly advantageous that the disintegrated coating material can preferably be completely and in one piece separated and removed from seeds, grains or plant nuclei. In one preferred embodiment, the separation of the disintegrated casing material/skin is preferably carried out using a device that acts from one or more sides with tangential shear forces on the seeds and plant seeds prepared according to the invention. In this case, the shear force may be in the form of pressure on the outer side of the seeds, grains or plant nuclei or in the form of a transverse displacement. Suitable devices known from the prior art are, for example, lever presses. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the removal of the shell layer is achieved by first passing the seeds, grains or plant kernels through a size sorting device known from the prior art, where these seeds or kernels in the receiving tanks are separated into certain diameter ranges. From these reservoirs, by means of another device, individual seeds, grains or kernels are introduced into a hopper or shaft, so that the seeds or kernels are arranged preferably in the longitudinal direction. In one preferred embodiment, one or more seeds or kernels are forced by means of a punch or compressed air device through a resilient sleeve/tube, or through one or more perforated septa. In this case, the sheath material is preferably completely removed. Preferably, the seeds, grains or plant nuclei, due to the acceleration they have experienced, are expelled/ejected from the removal device and taken into the next receiving tank. The shell material, also pushed out, is preferably separated, describing a trajectory of movement different from the trajectory of the seeds, grains or kernels released from the shell material, given, for example, by gravity or separation by winnowing, and delivered to another tank. In a further preferred embodiment, the separation of the shell material is carried out by means of a device in which seeds, grains or plant kernels prepared according to the invention are sorted by diameter or sent unsorted to at least 2 approximately or completely parallel pipes that rotate uniformly, and/ or unevenly and/or in opposite directions. Seeds, grains or kernels rotate and are carried in the gap formed between the pipes. In this case, there is preferably a non-parallelism of at least one of the pipes or several pipes. The result is a tangential shear force acting on the shell material of neighboring seeds, grains or kernels, which leads to ruptures of the shell material, which during the rotational movement of the seeds, grains or kernels in the described lever mechanism leads, for example, due to the accelerating movement and / or air flow, to their separation and removal. As a result, the seeds, grains or kernels freed from the shell material, as well as the shell material, can be collected in different containers.

Preferred is a device for separating and removing disintegrated shell materials and skins from seeds, grains or kernels, in which shear forces are applied to the disintegrated shell material/shell components.

A device for perforating/separating/separating the coating material from seeds, grains or plant nuclei is preferred.

Surprisingly, one of the methods according to the invention can very successfully and very easily remove the connecting layers that exist or occur between the shell material and seeds, grains or plant nuclei. So, it turned out, for example, that when peeling the skin from almonds and soybeans, if it is carried out using water or one of the methods according to the invention, and the swollen skin is removed mechanically, a soap- or mucus-like layer is present on the seeds, grains or kernels, which in during drying becomes sticky and sticks to peeled seeds, grains or kernels. It has been found that the intermediate layer swollen in the leaching solution according to the invention, which is on the surfaces of exposed seeds, grains or plant nuclei, and may also be on the surfaces of separated shell materials, can be very easily removed by washing with cold water. With exposed intermediate layers, which were obtained by a method not according to the invention, this was not possible or was achieved only in the process of washing with hot water. The rinsing of the intermediate layer can be carried out, for example, with water. Thus, it is preferable to disintegrate/remove the intermediate/connecting layers of the shell and peel from the plant material also using one of the aqueous solutions according to the invention which contain compounds for disintegration. Dissolved amino acids and/or peptides are especially preferred. But it is also possible to use aqueous or alcoholic solutions which contain other compounds, the addition of ionic and/or non-ionic surfactants is preferred. Preferred is the washing process using cleaning devices according to the prior art, such as the use of a directed jet of water or steam, or the organization of movements of the cleaned plant material, which lead to the occurrence of shear forces with which the cleaned materials act on each other, and / or mechanical movements, as in a washing machine. Surprisingly, seeds or plant kernels treated in this way had an altered drying behavior. Thus, drying, for example, beans or pumpkin seeds, was faster if the intermediate layer was softened/separated by one of the methods according to the invention and completely removed during the washing process. For example, in the case of dried pumpkin seed, it turned out that after removing, in accordance with the invention, the intermediate layer did not form a crust during drying. In addition, the separation was significantly easier than when the disintegration/peeling of the intermediate layer was carried out.

The preferred method is to disintegrate/soften/peel off the intermediate layer between the plant coating material and seeds, grains and plant nuclei.

Preferred is a method of disintegration and leaching of plant materials, in which the disintegration/softening/peeling of the intermediate layer between the plant shell material and the seeds, grains and nuclei of plants.

Surprisingly, the method according to the invention can also disintegrate/soften and separate the deposits and connective structures of seeds and plant nuclei. For example, it can be shown that pumpkin or melon seeds can be removed very easily and without residues from tissue structures that feed them and mechanically stabilize them, similar to bundles or partitions, if these seeds or kernels, together with adhering structures, are introduced into one of the solutions according to invention and disintegrate. Such easy removal of adhering tissue structures could not be achieved by treatment with water or aqueous solutions which contained, for example, surfactants under otherwise comparable conditions.

Unexpectedly, it turned out that seeds, grains or kernels that were obtained by one of the methods according to the invention and were for a sufficiently long time in one of the liquids according to the invention containing cationic amino acids and/or peptides, had a markedly lower intrinsic taste, or the taste was completely absent. In extended studies, it has been found that the reduction or elimination of the unpleasant/astringent taste depends on the duration of exposure to the disintegrant liquids according to the invention containing cationic amino acids or peptides, or depends on the duration of perforation of the shell layer(s) of seeds, grains or plant nuclei. In addition, it has been found that the reduction or elimination of the cultivar-specific taste of seeds or plant kernels treated with one of the methods according to the invention occurs in time after the removal of unpleasant/astringent organoleptic effects. As a result, undesired organoleptic effects and intrinsic flavor of the treated seeds, grains or kernels can be eliminated/excluded in a very advantageous manner by the process according to the invention, either alone or in combination with a coating material. In this way it is possible, under product-friendly conditions, to obtain seeds, grains or plant kernels with little or no taste, which have retained their integrity and are completely freed from the shell layer. This reduction in organoleptically perceived components of seeds, grains or plant nuclei, achieved by exposure to disintegrating liquids according to the invention containing cationic amino acids or peptides, has turned out to have a significant effect on products obtained from treated seeds, grains or plant nuclei. So, for example, it turned out that the components that could be extracted in further leaching processes in the form of separate fractions do not contain any or almost no odorous and flavoring substances that cause a variety-specific or unpleasant or astringent organoleptic effect. This is particularly advantageous for the recoverable starch and protein fractions.

Preferred is a process for disintegrating/separating/separating plant casing materials and obtaining separated casing material and/or plant products with little or no odor and/or taste.

Preferred is a method of disintegration and leaching of plant materials, in which the disintegrating solution contains amino acids and/or peptides.

Other advantageous effects of process embodiments are achieved for the resulting separated shell materials. Surprisingly, it has been possible to obtain separated casing materials which have little or no bad taste or astringent organoleptic effects. In addition, vegetable casing materials disintegrated in accordance with the method of the invention swell very strongly and are easily molded into arbitrary shapes. For example, they can be formed into a plate and/or pressed and can be cut without breaking. It turned out, for example, that thin strips or other geometric shapes can be cut out of such shells, since, in particular, the shells can be deformed uniformly, without fractures. Due to this effect, it is possible to press the obtained and still swollen casings, with the formation of, for example, sheets or films. In addition, it is preferred that the separated casings, which have been obtained by one of the disintegration processes according to the invention, have no or practically no unpleasant taste or release substances that are perceived as astringents. Therefore, the resulting casings can also be used for cooking. In particular, the fibers that can be obtained from casings obtained in this way are particularly well suited for food texturing and food preparation. In addition, the resulting disintegrated casing materials have improved swelling compared to casing materials prepared by other methods. Thus, the methods according to the invention are particularly well suited to obtain fiber textures with a low or neutral taste, which are characterized by good processability and good swellability. Variants of the method according to the invention make it possible to obtain shell material preparations that can be used in various fields of application, for example for structuring dishes. The term "shell material preparation" here means the combination/complex/texture of disintegrated shell materials which, due to the disintegration according to the invention, have become moldable.

A preferred process is to obtain textures from vegetable casing material which is odorless or tasteless and/or which can be assembled into sheets or films that are flat and ready to be cut or assembled and/or which is capable of swelling well.

Preferred is the method of disintegration and leaching of vegetable raw materials to obtain fibrous products from vegetable casing materials.

Preferred is the method of disintegration and leaching of plant materials to obtain preparations of plant shell material.

Preferred is a process for the disintegration and leaching of plant materials, in which a product-friendly disintegration/perforation or separation of the shell material of seeds, grains or plant nuclei is carried out.

Surprisingly, one of the disintegration methods according to the invention can also dissolve the densified plant casing material and allow the recovery of the components of the casing material. It was found that the vegetable casings, which were kept in the aqueous solution according to the invention for a long time, swelled and allowed the cellulose-based fibers to be separated in layers. In addition, it has been found that the vegetable hulls dissolve rapidly and completely when treated with the solution according to the invention in an autoclave under suitable temperature and pressure conditions. The mass obtained in this case consisted predominantly of dissolved cellulose-based fibers, which could be easily purified with water from their proteins and soluble carbohydrate compounds using filtration methods. However, the cellulose-based fibers contained dissolved casing materials, sometimes with markedly different properties, than those of the cellulose-based fibers from grains or cores that were previously surrounded by them as a casing material and which were processed by the above-described aqueous leaching process. The cellulose-based fibers resulting from the disintegration and leaching of the casing material differ, for example, in size and shape. Thus, cellulose-based fibers obtained by leaching the casing material have a higher shape factor (ratio of length to transverse dimension) than those obtained by disintegration and leaching of other components of seeds, grains or kernels. It is believed that these differences are also responsible for the different organoleptic perception found in the case of fibers based on cellulose from seeds, grains or kernels and in the case of the corresponding dissolved coating material. In addition, cellulose-based fibers obtained from casing materials had different functional properties than cellulose-based fibers that were obtained from the disintegration/leaching of seeds, grains or plant nuclei. Thus, for example, highly pigmented cellulose-based fibers can be obtained from the dissolved shell material of the common bean. Further, for example, the disintegrated and dissolved peel of dry almonds and avocado pits had a particularly gentle melting taste upon tasting. In addition, in dough production and food preparation, such cellulose-based fibers have proven to have better emulsifying and stabilizing properties than cellulose fibers.

Preferred is a method for extracting cellulose-based fibers from the coating material of seeds, grains or plant nuclei.

In addition, carbonates and sulfites have proven to be suitable for effecting the disintegration of cellulose-based fibers. If alkaline compounds are used for the disintegration of plant materials, then in addition to fibers based on cellulose and/or a lignin-rich sheath, proteins and soluble carbohydrates are also obtained, and intense browning of solutions and dissolved plant material occurs, which is undesirable. Surprisingly, it has been found that when leaching of the raw material has already taken place, and in particular when the separation of dissolved or soluble proteins and carbohydrates has already taken place, the discoloration which leads to a decrease in the quality of the cellulose-based fibers does not occur if the aqueous leaching medium contains carbonates or sulfites. For example, by disintegrating soybean meal using a 1 wt% urea solution containing 0.05 mol/l arginine, complete disintegration of the casing material can be achieved after exposure to 90° C. for 60 minutes. This also achieves leaching, which makes it possible to almost completely separate soluble proteins and carbohydrates, which are filtered out with the process liquid. The resulting optically clear fibrous mass was tasteless and odorless and contained fibers, of which up to 38 wt.% (dry wt.) had a size of 100 μm, up to 82 wt. .% (d.w.) > 250 µm. The fibrous mass was further disintegrated with a solution of sodium carbonate 0.5 wt.% at 80°C for 20 minutes, and in no case there was a change in color of the process fluid or fibers based on cellulose. The obtained fibers based on cellulose after additional disintegration were softer to the touch than before it, and up to 65 wt.% (dry wt.) of them had a size < 100 μm, up to 98 wt.% (dry wt.) < 250 µm. The pulp had excellent tasting qualities, which were described as creamy and creamy. Therefore, according to the invention, a two-stage disintegration/leaching process is also carried out, in which first the disintegration/leaching of the skin/shell material is carried out with the separation of the dissolved soluble components of the raw material, and then the disintegration of the cellulose-based fibers and/or the lignin-rich casing. Surprisingly, it has been found that solutions containing sulfites are also suitable for the disintegration of cellulose-based fibers. So, it turned out that the stillage, which after enzymatic leaching still contained a small amount of soluble proteins and carbohydrates and which was subjected to disintegration in an aqueous solution of 1 wt.% sodium sulfite at 85 ° C for 90 minutes, can be dispersed using a colloid mill to obtain a suspension cellulose fibers. The resulting cellulose-based fibers were very soft to the touch and up to 78 wt.% (d.w.) of them were < 100 μm, and >95 wt.% (d.w.) < 250 μm.

Preferred is a method for extracting cellulose-based fibers from the coating material of seeds, grains or plant nuclei.

Furthermore, it has been found that tasteless and/or colorless cellulose-based fibers can also be obtained with the disintegrant/leaching compounds according to the invention. Thus, in the case of beet chips, after extraction of molasses, which has a low residual content of soluble carbohydrates, disintegration was carried out using 1% sodium bisulfite solution or 2% sodium hydrogen carbonate solution at 90 ° C for 90 minutes, and in which the disintegrated the mass of chips was processed in a shear mixer, resulting in a suspension of fibers based on cellulose. However, the resulting pulp still had a strong earthy smell and taste and was therefore unsuitable for human consumption. Upon further leaching with solutions of amino acids and/or peptides according to the invention, in which the dehydrated pulp was kept for 60 minutes at 50°C, after dehydration and repeated washing of the pulp, the cellulose-based fibers were odorless and tasteless and were evaluated by organoleptic examination as very soft and creamy. Further, in sieve analysis, up to 80–85 wt.% (d.w.) of cellulose-based fibers were found to be < 100 µm and >94 to 96 wt.% (d.w.) were < 250 µm. .

In extensive studies on the use of cellulose-based fibers, it has been shown that very good organoleptic properties (e.g. creaminess) and functional qualities, such as swelling volume, can be achieved, in particular, when the disintegration and leaching of the soluble components of the raw material is carried out at a low residual content soluble carbohydrates and proteins, as well as other soluble organic compounds in the resulting fibers based on cellulose. Therefore, a method for disintegrating and leaching plant material is preferred which ensures that the cellulose-based fibers have a residual content of easily water-soluble organic compounds, preferably <5 wt.%, more preferably <2.5 wt.%, and more preferably <1.0 wt.% .

Preferred is a method of disintegrating cellulose-based fibers and leaching and separating the resulting soluble components.

Preferred is a process for disintegrating cellulose-based fibers and leaching and separating the resulting soluble components, in which odorless and/or tasteless cellulose-based fibers are obtained, with a residual content of easily water-soluble organic compounds <5 wt.%.

Preferred is the method according to the invention, in which the easily water-soluble organic compounds have a water solubility of >100 g/l at 20°C, preferably >140 g/l at 20°C, and the poorly water-soluble organic compounds have a water solubility <100 g/l at 20°C, preferably <75 g/l at 20°C.

Preferred is a method of disintegrating cellulose-based fibers and leaching and separating the soluble components contained therein, obtaining odorless and/or tasteless cellulose-based fibers, with a residual content of easily water-soluble organic compounds <5 wt.%, in which water disintegrating solutions contain sulfites and/or carbonates.

Further, cellulose-based fibers have been found to have organoleptic and functional properties when decompaction is carried out by a disintegration/leaching method, and decompaction is combined with the separation of soluble components that form complexes with cellulose-based fibers. Corresponding deconsolidation was also found for lignin-rich casings obtained by one of the methods according to the invention.

Preferred is the method of disintegration and leaching of plant materials, in which there is a decompaction of fibers based on cellulose and/or lignin-rich shell.

In addition, it has surprisingly been found that with one of the methods according to the invention, even compacted and lignin-containing casing material can be disintegrated and dissolved, and leachable cellulose-based fibers can be recovered. It has been found that the addition of additives is suitable for the disintegration and/or cleavage or even complete dissolution of lignin-containing structures that prevent leaching of cellulose-based fibers. The combinations of aqueous solutions according to the invention, containing dissolved amino acids and/or peptides, with leaching additives according to the invention proved to be decisive for the possibility of extracting cellulose-based fibers from lignin-containing plant casing materials, as well as for dissolving lignopolymers under product-friendly conditions. In this case, the disintegration of lignopolymer structures can be achieved even at a moderate increase in temperature, up to 60–80°C. It has been shown that by applying elevated pressure and at temperatures between 90° C. and 140° C., the disintegration/leaching can be greatly accelerated, in particular by simultaneous application of pressure, which is possible in an autoclave. At the same time, cellulose-based fibers retain their structural integrity and have a particularly low organoleptically perceptible stiffness. In addition, these fibers have been found to have a particularly low linear weight, < 50 mg/100m. These cellulose-based fibers also have very good organoleptic properties, such as a gentle melting sensation in the mouth. Surprisingly, it was also possible to obtain fibers based on cellulose, for example, from the fibrous material of coconuts or orange peels, with this disintegration technology. Suitable additives for solution and/or dissolution of lignopolymer or lignin-containing polymer structures, which are suitable for use together or in sequence with aqueous solutions according to the invention and which can be used alone or in combination with each other, are preferably sulfite compounds such as sodium sulfite or sodium bisulfite, as well as sulfate compounds such as NaSO ₄ as well as urea and urea derivatives such as thiourea, and in addition detergents such as sodium lauryl sulfate or DDT, as well as carbonates such as sodium carbonate.

The preferred method is the disintegration/leaching of lignin-containing structures and the extraction of lignin-based shell components and cellulose-based fibers.

The method of dissolving the vegetable casing material is preferred.

A lignin-containing shell material is preferred, which can be obtained by the method of disintegration and leaching of plant materials.

Surprisingly, it has been found that cellulose-based plant fibers from various plant sources, which are not suitable for cooking, and which can be extracted or refined from plant waste, as well as fibers obtained by the methods according to the invention, which can be offered fibers on based on cellulose, as odorless and tasteless, they have excellent functional properties for the production of food dishes and at the same time have a positive effect that regulates stool. Therefore, the object of the invention is also to develop methods and methods for the extraction, as well as the preparation of functional or functionalizable fibers based on cellulose.

So, it turned out that by using cellulose-based fibers to produce food containing flour and/or starch, flour, respectively starch, can be saved in the same amount, in order of magnitude corresponding to the amount of cellulose-based fibers added, without negatively affecting the amount or the quality of the baked goods. In the case of cellulose-based fibers that were coated with a leavening agent such as yeast or sodium bicarbonate on their inner surfaces, it was possible to achieve an increase in baking volume and a more even distribution of the resulting air chambers compared to the original recipe. At the same time, baked products with cellulose-based fibers have a higher pressure resistance and have a better taste and more harmonious taste compared to the standard recipe.

Further, it has been shown that cellulose-based fibers can be used as a substitute for fat in cooking. It is possible, for example, by replacing 50 wt.% of oil or fat with cellulose-based fibers obtained according to the invention, to achieve a similar consistency / volume of the dish and equivalent or improved organoleptic qualities than in dishes prepared with the usual amount of fats or oils.

In addition, it was surprisingly found that one of the methods according to the invention can be obtained with biogenic abrasive and non-abrasive cleaners and detergents. It has been found that lignin-containing casing materials, in particular lignin-based casing, can be completely or partially softened/dissolved using the process steps according to the invention. As a result, fine or tiny particles are formed, the surface roughness of which increases with the increase in the duration and intensity of the aqueous disintegration/leaching process with solutions containing dissolved disintegrating compounds, and at the same time their outer contours are rounded, as a result, they no longer have sharp edges. Particularly preferred disintegrating compounds are amino acids and/or peptides. As a result of softening and/or partial dissolution of the lignin-based shell, spatial structures are formed on the surface, which, apparently, have a very good ability to absorb organic and inorganic particles and provide good solubilization of surfactants. When cleaning vessels, it has been found that the lignin-based casing components obtained by the aqueous disintegration/leaching process according to the invention, in particular in combination with a surfactant, provide a significantly improved cleaning result, in particular from crustified organic or inorganic deposits. However, in contrast to prior art cleaners, there were no scratch marks if the delamination of the glossy lacquer surface was carried out using a lignin-based sheath material, disintegrated and dissolved according to the invention. Thus, the methods of the invention are suitable for producing abrasive and non-abrasive biogenic cleaners from lignin-based shell materials.

Preferred is a process for preparing abrasive and non-abrasive biogenic cleaners.

The use of lignin-containing sheath material is preferred as abrasive and non-abrasive biogenic cleaners.

Surprisingly, it has been found that the easy-to-carry-out process carried out in water can be used both to disintegrate the plant shell materials, which allows for the subsequent technically feasible complete separation of the shell materials, and to dissolve the shell materials, which allows the solid components of the plant shell material to be broken down and isolated. In this way, it is possible to obtain vegetable shell materials in the form of pure fractions, which until now have been completely impossible to extract or only with great difficulty, and are contaminated with other organic impurities. In addition, disintegration/leaching allows you to save the main constituents (components) of the dissolved shell materials, which can be used as valuable substances. Thus, the method can be used to obtain fibrous products from vegetable casing material by disintegration/separation as well as dissolution of the casing material.

A preferred process is for the production of fibrous products, which can be obtained by disintegrating and/or separating and/or dissolving/leaching plant casing materials with aqueous solutions containing dissolved compounds for disintegration/leaching.

Thus, the object of the invention can be solved by means of a process for the production of fibrous products obtained by disintegrating and/or separating and/or dissolving plant casing materials with aqueous solutions.

Detailed description

The shell material of seeds or plant nuclei changes structurally and functionally at the end of the growth phase. When this occurs, among other things, shrinkage and irreversible closure of the water-conducting capillary structures. In addition, keratinization of cellulose-based fibers occurs. As a result, seeds, grains and plant nuclei which are surrounded by such shell layers are not able to swell in water or only swell when exposed to water for a long time. In addition, the result is advantageously a very strong layer which protects the plant product very effectively against mechanical changes. Surprisingly, aqueous solutions of dissolved amino acids and peptides have been found to be suitable for the disintegration of compacted and keratinized plant casing materials. Furthermore, it was surprising that the disintegration method is also suitable for breaking down the disintegrated plant casing material into its individual components or dissolving to obtain a pure fraction of solids as well as soluble compounds dissolved in an aqueous solution.

This effect was especially pronounced when using cationic amino acids. Therefore, amino acids which contain one or more cationic charged groups or peptides which contain one or more cationic charged groups are particularly preferred. Preferred amino acids are arginine, lysine, histidine, and their derivatives.

Peptides suitable for use according to the invention may be di-, tri- and/or polypeptides. The peptides according to the invention contain at least one functional group that binds or can bind a proton. The preferred molecular weight does not exceed 500 kDa, more preferably <250 kDa, more preferably <100 kDa, and particularly preferably <1000 Da. Preferred are, in particular, the functional groups guanidino, amidino, amino, amido, ammonium, hydrazino, hydrazono, hydroxyimino or nitro. Amino acids may contain one or more functional groups from the same class of compounds, or one or more functional groups from different classes of compounds. Preferably, the amino acids and peptides of the invention contain at least one positively charged group or have a net positive charge. Particularly preferred are cationic functional peptides. It is preferable to set the pH of the solution of cationic amino acids or peptides in the range of 7 to 14, more preferably 8 to 13 and more preferably 8.5 to 12.5. In one embodiment, the pH can be adjusted by adding an acid or base to any level within the pH range of 6 to 14. Acids and bases known in the art, such as sodium hydroxide solution or HCl, can be used.

Particularly preferred peptides contain at least one of the amino acids arginine, lysine, histidine and glutamine in any amount and in sequential order. Especially preferred are amino acids and/or derivatives thereof which contain at least one guanidino and/or amidino group. The guanidino group is the chemical residue H ₂ N–C(NH)–NH–, as well as its cyclic forms, and the amidino group is the chemical residue H ₂ N–C(NH)–, as well as its cyclic forms. Preferred are guanidine compounds which, in addition to the guanidino group, contain at least one carboxylate group (-COOH). It is further preferred that the carboxylate group be separated from the guanidino group in the molecule by at least one carbon atom. Also preferred are amidine compounds which, in addition to the amidino group, contain at least one carboxylate group (-COOH). It is further preferred that the carboxylate groups are separated from the amidino group in the molecule by at least one carbon atom.

Also suitable are di-, tri- or oligopeptides, as well as polypeptides which consist of one, two or more amino acids. Short chain peptides such as RDG are preferred. Particularly preferred are peptides composed of amino acids which contain both hydrophobic and hydrophilic side groups, such as (designated according to the Index of Amino Acid Names) GLK, QHM, KSF, ACG, HML, SPR, EHP or SFA. Even more preferred are peptides which simultaneously contain hydrophobic and cationic and/or anionic side groups, such as RDG, BCAA, NCR, HIS, SPR, EHP or SFA. Other examples with 4 amino acids are NCQA, SIHC, DCGA, TSVR, HIMS or RNIF, and with 5 amino acids HHGQC, STYHK, DCQHR, HHKSS, TSSHH, NSRR. Especially preferred are RDG, SKH or RRC.

The application takes place in the form of aqueous disintegrating solutions in which the amino acids and/or peptides according to the invention are completely dissolved. The concentration of amino acids and/or peptides can in principle be chosen freely, but concentrations from 10 µmol/l to 3 mol/l are preferred, more preferably from 1 mmol/l to 1 mol/l and more preferably from 100 µmol/l to 0.5 mol/l. While the amino acids or peptides according to the invention may be present in aqueous solutions individually or in any combination. The ratio of the volume of the aqueous phase containing dissolved amino acids or peptides to the volume of plant products or coating materials to be treated can in principle be freely chosen, but it is necessary to ensure complete wetting of the coating materials to be disintegrated/separated or dissolved. Preferably, the plant materials to be treated are completely incorporated into one of the solutions according to the invention.

In addition, it has been found that the process of disintegration of plant hulls and peels can be accelerated by disintegrant additives that are dissolved in aqueous disintegrant solutions. Such additives include, for example, the following compounds, but are not limited to: urea, NH ₃ , triethylamine, diethylamine; ionic or non-ionic surfactants such as SDS or DMSO; antioxidants or sulfates, as well as sulfites, such as sodium sulfite or sodium bisulfite; in addition, carbonates, such as sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate. Preferably, the compounds are dissolved in water at a concentration of from 0.1 to 30 wt.%, more preferably at a concentration of from 0.5 to 15 wt.% and most preferably from 1 to 5 wt.%. These compounds may be used singly or in any combination.

The disintegration process of the plant casing material can be adjusted depending on the desired effect through various parameter settings. Thus, for example, in one embodiment, the shell material is hydrated and disintegrated in the germ region, such as in the case of soybeans. This is sufficient, for example, to carry out the mechanical removal of the entire casing using a flattening device. To do this, for example, it is sufficient to keep whole beans in a leaching solution containing 0.2 mol/l arginine at 25°C for 6 hours. This can be verified by the fact that the shell can be easily removed by "pushing" with the fingers. In another application, peeled walnuts were introduced into a 0.2 molar solution of lysine at 35°C for 3 hours. After draining the solution, it was possible to completely peel off the shell of the kernel using a water jet device, and the resulting skin remained essentially complete and intact. Received walnuts were peeled more than >98. All the husk/skin that was obtained from the leaching/disintegration process was soft and flexible. In another embodiment, ground almonds were kept for 20 minutes in a 100 mmol/L histidine solution at 20°C. Then the separation from the solution was carried out and the softened parts of the core shell were removed in a hydrocyclone. It was possible to achieve >95% removal of the shell of the kernel. In another embodiment, common beans were peeled. To do this, the beans were introduced into the autoclave in a solution of polylysine and histidine and treated at a temperature of 120°C and a pressure of 1.2 bar for 3 minutes. After that, the peel could be easily removed completely with two fingers.

In preferred embodiments, a method for disintegrating vegetable casing materials can be used to hydrate the casing/skin and/or to separate the texture of the casing and skin at pre-formed locations and/or to remove intermediate layers of casing materials and/or to soften the casing and skin. According to different requirements in the differences in raw materials, you first need to determine the specific process conditions. Generally, however, the following parameter settings are preferred.

The duration of exposure of the plant material to the aqueous disintegrating solutions according to the invention can, in principle, be freely chosen. Preferred is an exposure time of 5 minutes to 48 hours, more preferably 10 minutes to 24 hours, and more preferably 15 minutes to 12 hours. The sufficiency of the duration of exposure can be very easily determined by checking on the processed plant products whether the desired effect has been achieved, such as peelability or peelability. The temperature at which the plant material is exposed to aqueous disintegrating solutions containing dissolved amino acids and/or peptides and/or other dissolved disintegrating compounds can, in principle, be freely chosen. However, the preferred temperature range is 5°C to 145°C, more preferably 10°C to 140°C, more preferably 15°C to 80°C. The exposure is preferably carried out under normal pressure conditions. In one preferred embodiment, the reaction mixture is under reduced or elevated pressure, with pressures of 0.1 bar to 10 bar being preferred, more preferably 0.5 bar to 5 bar, and more preferably 0.8 bar to 3 bar. It is preferable to simultaneously increase the temperature and increase the pressure during the exposure of the plant material to be treated to the aqueous disintegrating solutions according to the invention. It is preferable to expose the plant material to aqueous disintegrating solutions according to the invention in an autoclave. The preferred autoclaving time is 30 seconds to 60 minutes, more preferably 1 minute to 30 minutes, and more preferably 2 minutes to 15 minutes.

In one preferred embodiment, the hydrated and partially or completely disintegrated shell materials are fed to a device that allows the shell material to be removed. Such devices are widely represented in the prior art. Product-friendly variants are preferred, since the advantageous effects of the gentle treatment according to the invention can then be transferred to the separation of the vegetable casing material. For example, hydrodynamic methods are suitable, in which shear forces are applied to the shell material by means of a water jet, which leads to its separation. But mechanical methods can also be beneficial. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the pre-treated seeds, grains or kernels are sorted by size and fed to the blower. At the same time, at the entrance to the flexible or rigid pipe/sleeve, or only during transportation there, the disintegrated shell material is ruptured and the shell material is translocated/separated from seeds, grains or nuclei. Upon exiting the tube/sleeve, which may be carried out under pressure, the seeds, grains or kernels are spatially separated from the shell material by various suitable methods such as shearing or winnowing. The suitability of the disintegrated plant material for carrying out the separation and removal of the shell material can be determined, for example, by the ability to exfoliate the disintegrated shell material by lightly rubbing with the palms.

In a preferred embodiment, the disintegration of the plant casing materials according to the invention takes place after the end of the mechanical disintegration process. Particularly preferred are meals which are defatted and/or from which other valuable fractions, such as proteins and/or carbohydrates, are separated. It has been shown that even such vegetable products, from large to fine grained, can be purified from shell components with disintegrating solutions according to the invention. Eddy current methods or screening methods can also be used to separate them.

In one embodiment, the hydration and softening properties of the plant casing material with aqueous disintegrant solutions containing dissolved amino acids and/or peptides and/or other dissolved disintegrating compounds are enhanced by the addition of surfactants and/or leaching agents. In one embodiment, the aqueous solutions may contain disintegration aids or additives, such as alcohols or surfactants. Preferred alcohols are methanol and ethanol. Preferred surfactants are urea, thiourea, sodium lauryl sulfate and DMSO. Preferred leaching agents are sodium bisulfite and sodium sulfite. The concentrations required for a particular application must be determined individually.

It is preferable to separate/separate the coating material or coating materials immediately after exposing the plant products to one of the aqueous disintegrating solutions according to the invention. However, separation/separation can also be carried out at a later point in time. It turned out that if the disintegration or softening of the shell material is carried out by one of the methods according to the invention, then the shell materials re-dried in between can be very easily separated/removed by softening/swelling in water. Thus, the method according to the invention can also be used for the preparation of plant products for a subsequent separation of the casing material. It has been found that already as a result of this, the prepared casing material partially or completely loses its odor and/or taste. Therefore, in one embodiment, the method according to the invention is also used to neutralize the taste/removal of bitter substances from casing materials with or without simultaneous disintegration/separation of casing products. The duration of exposure required for this, as well as the temperature and pressure conditions, must be set individually.

In the next preferred embodiment of the method, the shell material disintegrated and separated from the plant material and/or the shell material mechanically separated from the plant material is introduced into one or several disintegrating solutions with dissolved amino acids and/or peptides and/or other compounds for disintegration. Preferably, the disintegration process is thus continued or initiated, whereby all-round wetting of the shell material can take place. As a result, it is possible, for example, to achieve a softening of previously brittle and easily broken shell materials, whereby these disintegrated shell materials have a very high flexibility and no longer break. A preferred form of disintegration for this is carried out by prolonged exposure to one of the aqueous solutions according to the invention. Preferred is 15 minutes to 30 days, more preferably 60 minutes to 14 days, and more preferably 10 hours to 7 days. The concentrations of dissolved amino acids and/or peptides should be calculated accordingly, the above values can be used as a guide. It is preferable to carry out the disintegration at room temperature. Preferably, the pH is set at 6.5 to 13, more preferably 7 to 12, and more preferably 8 to 12.5. In a further preferred embodiment, the conditioning/softening of the vegetable casing material is carried out by short autoclaving. It has been found that the softening of the separated casing material can also be carried out at a higher temperature and a higher pressure with a short exposure time. The preferred temperature range is 80°C to 140°C, more preferably 90°C to 130°C, and more preferably 100°C to 121°C. The preferred pressure is 0.5 to 10 bar, more preferably 0.8 to 5 bar, and more preferably 1.0 to 2 bar. The exposure time is preferably 20 seconds to 10 minutes, more preferably 30 seconds to 8 minutes, and more preferably 40 seconds to 3 minutes. The casing materials disintegrated and softened in accordance with said process variants are preferably subjected to copious washing with water. Such disintegrated shell materials no longer dissolve when left in neutral water. They can be stored in it for a long period of time, which can remain unchanged for more than 6 months. But they can also be dried and stored dry. It is preferred to obtain a composite/texture from the individual components of the shell material. This can be advantageously achieved by pressing the casing materials, for example on a sieve press, whereby shaped panels can be obtained, for example. These press products can be dried, for example, in a drying cabinet. The resultant composite panels of densified shell material are characterized by a very high swellability when introduced into water, which is preferably >200% by weight, more preferably >300% by weight and more preferably >400% by weight. Preferably, during the preparation of the disintegrated formable shell materials, in one or more additional or concurrent processes, the disintegrated shell material is also conditioned and/or functionalized by one of the methods described above or described below. It is also preferable, in particular, that disintegrated, softened/flexible vegetable casing materials are obtained by this method, which are completely or almost completely odorless and/or tasteless. In this case, "almost" means more than 98%. In other words, the amount of odorants and/or flavors previously present is reduced by more than 98%. Further, the disintegrated and softened casing materials release no or almost no colorants into the aqueous medium. Thus, in one application it has been shown that a very flexible, tasteless leaf can be formed from garlic sheath material.

In addition, additives can be added to the aqueous disintegrating solutions according to the invention containing dissolved amino acids and/or peptides, whereby further particularly advantageous effects are achieved, which, for example, can cause or enhance conditioning and/or functionalization and/or disintegration of the plant coating material. . In one embodiment, the carboxylic acids are completely dissolved in aqueous solutions containing cationic amino acids and/or peptides. This is particularly advantageous, since carboxylic acids, due to cationic compounds, can lead to complete dissolution in an aqueous medium with the formation of nanoemulsions. This makes it possible, in a particularly advantageous manner, in many fields of application to reduce the exposure time until separation of the plant shell material is achieved. In addition, during the hydration process initiated by the aqueous solutions of the invention, the sheath materials can be saturated with dissolved carboxylic acids, or preferably introduced and/or applied to/on the hydrogenated cellulose-based fibers. This makes it possible, on the one hand, to obtain shell materials with modified surface properties, including, for example, hydrophobic properties or antimicrobial activity. On the other hand, by disintegrating/dissolving the casing materials, it is possible to obtain cellulose-based fibers that are loaded with carboxylic acids, such as omega-3 fatty acids. Preferred carboxylic acids which are soluble in aqueous solutions according to the invention are fatty acids, such as, for example, mono- or polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic acid or linolenic acid, as well as organic acids, such as acetic acid or ascorbic acid. While the preferred concentration of carboxylic acids is from 1 µmol/l to 3 mol/l, more preferably from 1 mmol/l to 1 mol/l and more preferably from 100 µmol/l to 0.5 mol/l. Preferably, the carboxylic acids are completely dissolved in the aqueous disintegrant solution according to the invention. Therefore, the total amount of carboxylic acids is limited by the number and concentration of cationic compounds that are in a mixture of solutions and allow the carboxylic acids to dissolve.

Other compounds can also be added to aqueous disintegrating solutions. In one preferred embodiment, ionic or non-ionic surfactants are added as additives. This is particularly advantageous when recovering cellulose-based fibers from casing materials which contain a significant proportion of fats or waxes. In addition, the use of urea or creatine as a supplement is preferred. In one embodiment, additives are used to achieve improved/more complete leaching of cellulose-based fibers from the organic matrix.

In the next embodiment of the method, in addition to disintegration, leaching and separation of the constituents (components) of plant shell materials are also carried out.

In one preferred embodiment of the method, the leaching/dissolution of lignin and/or lignin-containing polymeric structures, as well as keratinized cellulose-based fibers, is carried out using a combination of disintegrating compounds in the form of an aqueous solution or a series of aqueous solutions with one or more disintegrating additives. Particularly preferred are sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, urea, thiourea, sodium lauryl sulfate and DMSO, as well as carbonates such as sodium hydrogen carbonate. The concentration of disintegrants in the aqueous solution, in which they are preferably present in dissolved form, is preferably from 50 µmol/l to 3 mol/l, more preferably from 1 mmol/l to 2 mol/l and more preferably from 200 mmol/ l to 1 mol/l. Compounds or aqueous solutions can be used together with dissolved amino acids and/or peptides according to the invention or in chronological order. The preferred method of leaching, in which dissolved amino acids and/or peptides are used together with additives. The preferred temperature at which the lignin and/or lignin-containing polymer structures are leached is preferably in the range of 40°C to 140°C, more preferably 60°C to 130°C and even more preferably 80°C to 120° C. Preferably, pressure is simultaneously applied to the reaction mixture. An overpressure of 0.5 to 10 bar is preferred, more preferably 0.8 to 8 bar, and more preferably 1 to 6 bar. The duration of exposure of raw materials to aqueous solutions should be set individually, since the degree of cross-linking of lignopolymers and the degree of keratinization of cellulose-based fibers in raw materials can vary greatly. A sufficient duration of exposure can be determined very simply by taking a sample from the reaction vessel. The duration of the exposure is sufficient, in particular, when the dark brown or black structures of the plant casing materials are no longer present, or they are present only in a very small proportion or have broken down into very small particles. In addition, the duration of exposure is sufficient when the microscopic analysis no longer shows coherent fibrous structures.

It has been found that by applying the process according to the invention, the lignin-based shell material disintegrates and can be recovered, for example, in the form of an intact skin/shell or skin fragments. Coating materials containing lignin are present, for example, in seeds or grains of jatropha, rapeseed, sunflower or apple and pear pits. In this case, the vegetable casing material may be present in an intact or partially or completely mechanically or thermally disintegrated state, such as, for example, after extraction of the oil fraction, or in the form of pulp after extraction of the juice. The processes according to the invention serve in this case to obtain still recoverable fractions of substances.

In another embodiment of the method, residues from the pressing of plant seeds, such as, for example, rapeseed or jatropha cake obtained, for example, in a water leaching process, are treated with solutions according to the invention, by impregnation with them. In this case, impregnation means that the cake is completely moistened, but not wet. After 4 hours, the distribution of solid components in water was carried out using a mixer. The solid components were separated using a filter and fed to the next stage of the process with aqueous leach mixtures. In one embodiment, this can be used, for example, a solution with 0.2 mol/l lysine and 10 wt.% urea, in which the solid residue on the filter was introduced within 6 hours. Then the liquid phase was removed in a chamber filter press and the filter residue was distributed in water and then separated by a hydrocyclone into the formed solids fractions: cellulose-based fibers and lignin-based shell components. It turned out that by the method of disintegration and peeling of the lignin-based components, separation of the components of the fiber fraction can be achieved, and the separation of the various components of the fibers can be carried out, and as a result, the components of the lignin-based sheath in the form of a separable fraction of valuable substances can be directly recovered in a large amount.

Depending on the origin of the raw materials, as well as on the chosen disintegration/leaching method, the dewatering process or exposure to bleaches, the resulting cellulose-based fibers have different degrees of keratinization. This forms crystalline areas, which lead to a distinct sensation of the presence of solids in the mouth, and when chewing the presence of crumbs, which is undesirable. Surprisingly, it was found that the disintegration/leaching method using the amino acids and/or peptides according to the invention practically did not keratinize the cellulose-based fibers. In addition, it has been found that if keratinization of cellulose-based fibers occurs, it is possible to significantly reduce the degree of keratinization or make it completely reversible by disintegration with a solution containing amino acids and/or peptides according to the invention. Thus, it turned out that in the case of beet chips, when the disintegration was carried out using a sodium sulfite solution at 130°C and an overpressure of 1.2 bar for 10 minutes, the mass of cellulose-based fibers obtained after homogenization and separation of the unbound liquid had a high the degree of keratinization and because of this was unfit for human consumption. By introducing a 0.3 mol/l arginine solution with stirring, keratinization was eliminated, so that after 3 hours no more granulation was observed.

Preferred is the method of disintegration/leaching of cornified fibers based on cellulose.

In one preferred embodiment of the method, the lignin-based peel/shell or fragments from disintegration obtained by one of the methods described here or by another method are subjected to a leaching process using a leaching solution. In this case, it is preferable to achieve softening and/or dissolution of the lignopolymer structures. Of course, the complexity of these structures in different shell materials is different, so the exact reaction conditions must be selected individually. It is preferred to disintegrate and cleave the lignin-based shell/peel or fragments in sodium sulfite solution, preferably together with dissolved amino acid and/or peptide and/or urea and/or carbonates, at elevated temperature and preferably at elevated pressure. Preferred concentrations of sodium sulfite or bisulfite and sodium carbonate or hydrogen carbonate are from 0.1 to 3 mol/l, more preferably from 0.3 to 2 mol/l. Preferred concentrations of dissolved amino acids and/or peptides (singly or together) are from 0.1 to 3 mol/l or up to the solubility limit, more preferably from 0.2 to 2 mol/l. The pH of the disintegrating solution is preferably 8 to 14, more preferably 8.5 to 13, and more preferably 9 to 12.5. The preferred temperature is 60°C to 180°C, more preferably 70°C to 160°C, and more preferably 80°C to 140°C. The preferred pressure increase is from 0.1 to 20 bar, more preferably from 0.2 to 10 bar. The duration of disintegration depends on the process parameters and on the raw materials. Preferred is a disintegration time of 10 minutes to 24 hours, more preferably 15 minutes to 10 hours, and more preferably 15 minutes to 6 hours. Preferably, the disintegrated and/or softened and/or dissolved shell/peel or fragments are subjected to a copious wash with water or a suitable mixture of surfactants. When the wash solution no longer becomes cloudy, the wash process is complete. The lignin-based casing fraction obtained is preferably subjected to a drying process. In one preferred embodiment of the method, the separation of free water is carried out by means of a screening device or by means of a centrifugal process. Vibrating screens and centrifuges are preferred. The lignin-based sheath material, generally already free-flowing, can then be dried completely, for example in a belt dryer or vacuum oven, to a residual moisture content of preferably <20 wt%, more preferably <15 wt% and more preferably <10 the weight.%. Until use, it is stored dry.

Since the cellulose-based fibers are also softened/separated during the disintegration process, in one preferred embodiment of the process, a fraction of the cellulose-based fibers is separated before, during or after further processing. This can preferably be done by known technological methods. Preferred is the eddy current method, in which there is a semi-selective removal of particles of different densities and with different deposition characteristics. The use of a hydrocyclone is preferred. The purity of the lignin-based shell component fraction obtained can be determined, for example, by microscopic analysis. Preferred is the purity of the obtained fractions >90%, more preferably >95% and more preferably >98.5%. On the other hand, the presence of cellulose-based fibers in the lignin-based shell component fraction is generally not a problem. It appears that the presence of >5% cellulose-based fibers in the lignin-based casing component fraction reduces the likelihood of scratches on scratch-sensitive surfaces that can occur due to the high contact pressures of abrasive cleaners.

In one preferred embodiment, at any point in the process, sizing and/or grinding of the lignin-based shell components to a certain level is carried out. Preferably this is done towards the end of the process. It is preferable to carry out sorting by size, which is carried out using screening devices. This can be done with both dry and water-suspended lignin-based casing components. Grinding can be carried out on both dry and wet lignin-based casing components. For example, knife or grinding mills are suitable. The resulting size distributions can be determined using commercially available analytical sieves.

Depending on the initial plant material, the intensity of the process of disintegration and fragmentation of the shell material, planar or corpuscular particles of the shell components based on lignin are formed. In chemical analysis, the content of lignin was found to be >40% by weight. It is preferable to obtain particulate particles with a lignin content of >40 wt.%, more preferably >50 wt.%, more preferably >60 wt.%, even more preferably >75 wt.% and particularly preferably >90 wt.%. The composition can be determined by analytical methods.

Preferred is a method in which, as a result of the disintegration of the plant material, particulate particles/shell components are obtained that have a lignin content of >40 wt.%.

These lignin-based casing components have been found to have abrasive properties or the ability to scrape off organic or inorganic deposits on a variety of surfaces. Unexpectedly, it was possible to detect differential abrasive properties of the lignin-based shell components formed in the process. It has been found that when scratch-sensitive surfaces such as glossy lacquer or glossy plastic surfaces are treated with mechanically ground lignin-based shell material that accumulates during the leaching process of shell materials, while maintaining a constant contact pressure to remove deposits, scratches and grooves occur during removal of deposits. In contrast, when the disintegration method according to the invention was used to leach the plant casing material, no scratches/grooves on the surface occurred, other things being the same cleaning/removal of firmly adhering contaminants and at the same pressing pressure chosen. Thus, the lignin-rich shell acquires, as a result of disintegration, differential abrasive properties that allow the removal of surface contaminants, in particular crustified contaminants, for example, organic materials such as proteins, without leading to discrete removal (grooves / scratches) of erosion-sensitive (scratch-sensitive) surfaces, as in the case of glossy plastic surfaces or glossy lacquers.

Here, "abrasive" refers to the removal of deposits, cakes or crusts that are on the surface of a material, such as metals, ceramics, glass, plastics, varnishes or biological materials, such as leather. In this regard, abrasive does not mean that harm/damage to the surface or surface integrity of the materials/surfaces of materials treated with the abrasive will occur. Micro- and/or nano-inhomogeneities of the surface could be distinguished under a microscope on such lignin-based shells or fragments, which were obtained at one of the technological stages, however, the outer contours were sharp-edged and/or pointed. These lignin-rich shell components had very good abrasive properties against deposits on metals, glass or ceramics, which were noticeably easier to remove compared to prior art cleaners. At the same time, when cleaning varnish and plastic surfaces with such lignin-rich shell components, no traces of scratches were visible. Surprisingly, it has been found that further disintegration of the lignin-based casing components according to the process described here results in particles that have rounded and flat-bottomed outer contours, but still have an abrasive effect on residues deposited on the surface. These rounded lignin-based shell components did not create any scratches when suspended in a soapy solution and moved at a pressure of 0.2 N over a glossy lacquer surface or a glossy plastic surface. Common to both forms of lignin-based shell components is a high ability to remove/separate plaque. In addition, both molds have micro- and/or nano surface roughness. Preferred lignin-based casing components that can be used for non-scratch abrasive applications are of any volume. Preferably these are disk-shaped particles. But other spatial structures may also be present. In one preferred embodiment, the particles preferably have an average particle size of 100 µm to 3 mm, more preferably 200 µm to 1 mm, and even more preferably 300 µm to 800 µm. In one embodiment, sizing is performed using a screening device. Agitated sieves are preferred, such as vibratory screening machines or winnowing devices.

It is preferable to obtain abrasive particles from vegetable raw materials for removing/peeling surface crusts.

It is preferable to obtain abrasive particles from the components of the shell based on lignin to remove/flake surface crusts.

Therefore, in one embodiment, the disintegration of the lignin-based shell components is preferably continued until preferably 95 wt.%, more preferably >97 wt.%, more preferably > 99 wt.%, and more preferably until all lignin-based shell components are will be rounded on all sides. Thanks to this quality characteristic, a non-scratch abrasive cleaner can be obtained with which to clean scratch-sensitive surfaces, such as lacquer and plastics. The preparation of the non-scratching abrasive cleaner obtained according to the invention is carried out by adding the lignin-based casing components obtained according to the invention to a surfactant/soap solution and suspending it. The lignin based shell components can be added to the surfactant/soap solution in a still wet or dry form, preferably using a high speed shear mixer.

For use as a cleaning agent, lignin-based casing components can be used in a wet, dried or dry and powdered state. Particularly suitable for the production of abrasive cleaners from lignin based coating components are jatropha and rapeseed seed coating components.

In one preferred embodiment according to the invention, the disintegration/leaching of the plant coating material takes place together with or immediately after the disintegration/leaching of the plant seeds, kernels or grains. This is particularly advantageous as it can be done with the same aqueous disintegrant/leach solutions. This usually requires a longer exposure time and/or other process parameters than those chosen for the disintegration/softening/dissolution of the shell materials. In particular, it may be necessary to increase the exposure time, preferably the exposure time is from 10 minutes to 48 hours, more preferably from 30 minutes to 24 hours, and more preferably from 1 hour to 12 hours. In addition, it is preferable to increase the temperature of the reaction mixture during exposure to aqueous solutions according to the invention, temperatures from 20°C to 140°C are preferred, more preferably from 30°C to 120°C and more preferably from 40°C to 80°C. In one particularly preferred embodiment, after the disintegration of all plant materials, leaching of the components of the raw materials occurs, in which soluble components, such as proteins and soluble carbohydrates, are completely dissolved in the aqueous distribution volume, and solid components, such as cellulose-based fibers and a lignin-rich shell, suspended in the aqueous distribution phase. In this case, it is preferable to choose a volume of water that guarantees easy separability of the solid components. The ratio of the volume of added water to the volume of the process mixture obtained in the disintegration process is preferably from 2:1 to 200:1, more preferably from 5:1 to 100:1, and more preferably from 10:1 to 50:1. The temperature at which this process step can be carried out is arbitrary, but a temperature range of 5°C to 95°C is preferred. The distribution volume is preferably added by vigorous mixing, with high intensity shear mixers/dispersers or homogenizers being preferred. The presence of sufficient distribution volume, or distribution, or disintegration of the components of the raw material can be determined by taking a sample of the suspended mixture and filtering it. If, for example, microscopic analysis of the filtered solids does not show adhering soluble components, the process is finished. The suspended solids are then preferably separated, preferably by filtration or centrifugal separation processes. It is preferable that the separation of the dissolved components is carried out in the aqueous distribution volume after the separation of the solid components, of which preferably <5 wt.%, more preferably <2.5 wt.% and more preferably <1 wt.% is in the separated aqueous distribution volume. It is preferable to separate dissolved proteins, which is carried out by adding dissolved compounds to an aqueous distribution volume containing dissolved proteins and possibly other soluble components of the raw material to initiate aggregation/complexation. Preferably we are talking about one or more organic acids, preferably carboxylic acids, such as citric acid, or lactic acid, or ascorbic acid. However, other acids can also be used, such as HCl or phosphoric acid. In addition, combinations of different acids are possible. The pH value of the aqueous solution containing dissolved compounds for aggregation/complexation, at which condensation and/or aggregation and/or complexation of dissolved proteins and/or other dissolved compounds occurs, preferably lies in the range from 4.5 to 13, more preferably 6 to 12 and more preferably 6.5 to 11. It is also possible to add a complexing agent, such as calcium and/or magnesium compounds, such as calcium chloride or magnesium. In addition, the salinity of the water distribution volume can be changed. The amount to be added depends on the concentration of dissolved and aggregating compounds and must therefore be determined on a case-by-case basis. It has been found that the added amount is sufficient, for example, when highly visible aggregates are formed while clarifying the previously turbid distribution phase. But analytical methods can also be invoked: in the aggregation of the proteins according to the invention, after their separation, the process liquid preferably contains <5 wt.%, more preferably <2.5 wt.% and more preferably <1 wt.% dissolved proteins.

In one preferred embodiment of the agitated process, the aggregating agent/complexing agent added or added is combined with the process fluid with slow agitation. It is important to ensure complete mixing. The mixing time can in principle be freely selected. In one preferred embodiment of the method, this only occurs during the addition of one or more aggregating/condensing agents, or over a period of 10 seconds to 5 minutes, more preferably 20 seconds to 2 minutes.

Therefore, in one particularly preferred embodiment, at the end of the addition of one or more aggregating/condensing agents, a quiet period is maintained during which no or only minimal agitation of the mixture takes place. Similarly, the time required for the condensation step can be set, preferably 5 minutes to 10 hours, more preferably 10 minutes to 5 hours, and more preferably 15 minutes to 2 hours. If the duration of the quiet period is to be reduced to a minimum, a sufficient minimum duration of the quiet period after the addition of a complexing agent/aggregating agent can be established by means of a sample that is subjected to centrifugation and for which the completeness of condensation and/or aggregation and/or complex formation is achieved using The complexing agent/aggregating agent is checked by adding the supernatant from centrifugation to the same and/or another solution with the aggregating agent. If no further aggregation occurs, the process of extracting dissolved proteins is complete. In one preferred embodiment of the method, the aggregation/complexation of dissolved proteins results in the precipitation of aggregates/complexes. These aggregates/complexes are preferably further condensed so that they can be easily separated from the free aqueous phase of the process medium.

In one preferred embodiment of the method, the aggregated/complex-bound and condensed compounds/proteins can be recovered in the form of a precipitate. Preferably, the precipitated phase is discharged through the bottom outlet and fed to further stages of the process. The condensation step preferably takes place at ambient temperature, preferably in the temperature range from 15°C to 40°C. In a further preferred embodiment, this occurs at a lower or higher temperature. Preferred is the temperature range from 5°C to 15°C, on the one hand, and from 40°C to 80°C, on the other hand. The choice of a lower temperature may be preferred, for example, when preparing thermolabile compounds. A high temperature, for example 60° C., can be chosen, for example, to kill microorganisms in a microbially contaminated raw material, for example in the form of pasteurization. On the other hand, heating can also inactivate allergens and certain toxins, as well as inedible compounds. The preferred method is to obtain a protein-containing precipitate consisting of aggregated/complex-bound and condensed proteins.

Preferred is the method of isolating and obtaining proteins from plant materials, which can be obtained by disintegration/leaching with the separation of leached soluble proteins, as well as subsequent aggregation/complexation and condensation.

The resulting protein mass can be used directly or sent to additional purification steps.

In studies on the separation of dissolved proteins from aqueous solutions with other dissolved components obtained in a separation/separation process in an aqueous solution containing dissolved disintegrating/leaching compounds, it was found that due to the protein hydration achievable by the method, they can be obtained as a very pure fraction by appropriate selection of process parameters. Wherein "pure" means that the protein fractions have a protein content of preferably >60 wt.%, more preferably >70 wt.%, more preferably >80 wt.%, even more preferably >85 wt.% and most preferably >90 wt. .%.

It has been found that such pure protein fractions can be obtained in particular by using a large distribution volume after leaching of the components according to the invention. Such dissolved proteins pass, for example, through a membrane filter with a pore permeability of at least 1 μm. This allows the separation of dissolved proteins by size. In addition, it appears that in this situation optimal hydration of dissolved proteins occurs, there is a physiological pH range, there is a very rapid and pronounced interaction with the complexing/aggregating agents listed here, which leads to the association of hydrated proteins when the process water is displaced or removed. This can be explained, for example, by the fact that the formation of spatial structures visible to the naked eye occurs with partial or complete clarification of the process liquid, these structures after their formation are deposited very slowly. In this case, the process fluid has a moderate to intense color and contains odors and flavors, as well as soluble carbohydrates. Thus, the method of hydration and subsequent condensation of soluble proteins requires that compounds previously isolated from proteins remain in solution in the process water phase, and are not associated with condensed proteins or are not excreted along with condensed proteins.

Preferred is the method of obtaining protein condensates and/or protein concentrates and/or protein isolates from organic raw materials using aqueous solutions containing dissolved disintegrating/leaching compounds.

In a further preferred embodiment, the disintegration/peeling/dissolution of the plant coating material and/or other raw material components from seeds, grains or kernels that have already been thermally and/or mechanically disintegrated/separated/crushed is carried out. This reduces the required time of exposure to aqueous solutions according to the invention.

For peeling and separating the disintegrated/softened/separated casing materials, mechanical methods are preferred in which shear forces are applied to the treated casing materials. In one preferred embodiment, the flaking and separation is carried out by means of rollers on which or between which the pre-treated seeds/kernels move and tangential shear forces are simultaneously applied. It is particularly advantageous to provide at the same time a washing or purging device in order to remove the separated casing materials.

In one embodiment, the disintegration/softening or peeling of the intermediate layer that is on the seeds or plant kernels and/or on the separated shell material is achieved by using a longer residence time/exposure to the aqueous liquid according to the invention than is required for the disintegration/separation/separation of the plant material. shell materials. The preferred exposure time is from 1 minute to 72 hours, more preferably from 10 minutes to 48 hours, and more preferably from 30 minutes to 24 hours. The temperature of the reaction mixture can be chosen arbitrarily, but the preferred temperature range is 5°C to 120°C, more preferably 10°C to 100°C, and more preferably 15°C to 70°C. It is preferable to apply physical shear forces to the material being cleaned from the intermediate layer. These shear forces in the reaction mixture are preferably generated, for example, as a result of the rotation of the container or stirrer. Preferably, the shear forces can also be generated by the flushing/spraying device. Sufficient exposure time and use of shear forces to wash off the intermediate layer can be readily determined by the skilled person by examining the treated product for its physical surface properties, such as deposits or crusting, during drying.

In one embodiment, the plant coating materials are disintegrated/softened or dissolved without being removed from the plant product. It has turned out that the coating materials, which are at least softened or swollen as a result of the aqueous solutions according to the invention, no longer need to be or need only partially be removed from the seeds or plant grains, since they no longer interfere with the further use of the seeds or grains. In a further embodiment, the separated and isolated plant casing materials are disintegrated/softened/dissolved by one of the methods according to the invention. This is of interest in particular when it makes it possible to make other materials contained in the vegetable casing material extractable and recoverable, or when it makes it possible to obtain and recover cellulose-based fibers. The concentrations of cationic amino acids and/or peptides, as well as the duration of exposure, temperature and pressure of the reaction mixture should be set depending on the destination.

Cellulose-based fibers and lignin-rich shell components

The type and composition of the shell material depends, of course, on the type of plant material. To obtain flour, the shell is first separated before grinding, since it is usually undesirable in the resulting products. As a rule, this can only be done with great technological efforts and with the loss of grain/seed material due to mechanical grinding/separation. The fibers that are contained in seeds, kernels and grains, as well as in other plant materials as structural components, cannot be separated or isolated without residue by the methods known from the prior art, since they are completely / over the entire surface connected and compressed with the rest of the content. In particular, mechanical separation of these fibers according to the prior art is not possible.

Therefore, it was completely unexpected that both lignin-rich shell components and cellulose-based fibers can be isolated from plant materials and decompressed and can be directly obtained in pure form by the method described herein. Thus, at the end of the disintegration/leaching process after significant removal of the bound water fraction from the solid content, it is impossible or almost impossible to detect proteins, soluble carbohydrates, odorous or flavoring substances or other organic or inorganic separable compounds. At the microscopic level, no adhesion of other organic components is observed.

The lignin-rich shell components have a lignin content of 30–95 wt%. They are submillimeter plates or an amorphous structure. After drying, they are in a fluid and free-flowing form. They have significant water holding capacity, which can be >40%. Cellulose-based fibers have a microscopically similar to cotton three-dimensional spatial structure with average diameters from 50 microns to 500 microns at a shape factor (length/diameter) from 1:1 to 1000:1. These are separated/discrete structures which are not connected to each other and which have a very low linear weight, preferably <70 mg/100m, more preferably <50 mg/100m, more preferably <30 mg/100m, more preferably <20 mg /100m, more preferably <15 mg/100m and particularly preferably <10 mg/100m. It has been found that such cellulose-based fibers differ significantly from cellulose fibers obtained, for example, from stems or wood, in their chemical composition, secondary and tertiary structure, and physico-chemical properties. In addition, both the resulting cellulose-based fibers and the lignin-rich casing components have been found to have a high water-binding capacity of over 200% by volume.

In addition, both the lignin-rich casing components and the cellulose-based fibers have been found to contain little or no odorous or flavoring substances or coloring substances which dissolve in an aqueous medium. Therefore, the lignin-rich cellulose-based sheath components and fibers obtained in this way can be directly used in the form in which they can be recovered and obtained by the methods of the invention, or after drying, which can be carried out by methods known from the prior art, or they can be sent to further processing.

A preferred process is one in which pure fractions of lignin-based casing and/or cellulose-based fibers are obtained from the plant material, which have a water-binding capacity of >200% by volume.

Surprisingly, it has been found that the dried lignin-based casing components, in addition to having a high water-binding capacity and a high water-holding capacity, also have a very high oil and fat binding capacity. In experiments with various lignin-rich shell components, the binding capacity for oil and fats ranged from 250 to 550 wt.%. It should be noted that the forces of hydrophobic interaction on the surface lead to a very rapid transfer of oils and fats along the outer surfaces of the granulate. As a result, oils and fats can move through the bulk lignin-based granulate against a pressure gradient by means of capillary forces on the inner and outer surfaces. At the same time, the lifting height in experiments with vertical tubes was more than 5 cm.

In addition, the dried and pulverized cellulose-based fibers also appear to have a very high oil and fat binding capacity of 220 to 360% by weight.

A process is preferred in which pure lignin-based fractions and/or cellulose-based fibers can be obtained from the plant material, which have an oil and/or fat binding capacity of >200% by weight.

Lignin-rich cellulose-based casing components and/or fibers with an oil and/or fat binding capacity of >200% by weight can be obtained by disintegration and leaching of plant material.

Surprisingly, it has been found that the lignin-rich cellulose-based casing and fiber components, which are present in the filter cake in many of the studied plant starting materials, such as rapeseed and jatropha pomace, can be easily separated from each other by methods known in the art. For this purpose, eddy current methods, such as hydrocyclones, as well as filtration methods, can be successfully used. It has turned out that as a result it is possible to obtain pure grade fractions of fibers based on cellulose, on the one hand, and lignin-rich shell components, on the other hand, in which there are no or almost no proteins, soluble carbohydrates, odorous or flavoring substances, or other organic or inorganic separable compounds, or compounds from which coloring matter passes into the aqueous medium.

The resulting sheath or fiber fractions are preferably freed from bound water by a pressing process. Alternatively, a centrifugation process may be used. The dehydrated casing or fiber fractions may be used as received or completely dried. Drying methods are known in the art. Hot air drying is preferred. Preferably, the lignin-rich shell components obtained after drying are in an easily separable and free-flowing form.

It was found that the resulting fibers based on cellulose differ in chemical composition from cellulose fibers, as well as cellulose derivatives. While cellulose fibers and cellulose derivatives contain virtually no other elements besides C, H and O, many other elements are present in cellulose fibers such as N, S, P, Fe, Cl, Na, Ca, K, Ni, Cl, Cu, as well as other elements. Because of the binding characteristics found for cellulose-based fibers, these elements are believed to belong at least in part to functional groups that are directly or indirectly covalently bonded to polymeric framework structures. In this case, there may be an indirect covalent connection, for example, through a sugar residue or a peptide. However, it is also possible that also non-covalently bonded compounds, which contain such functional groups or elements, are connected to the polymer framework via alternating electrostatic forces. The presence of functional groups on the surface of cellulose-based fibers is the cause of many of the effects found to date.

The lignin-rich casing components, like the cellulose-based fiber fractions, have a large internal surface, which results in an enormous water-binding capacity. Because of this, they are particularly well suited for retaining and accumulating moisture on cultivated land. When dry, they are great for storage and transportation. They mix optimally with all studied soil types (eg loam, humus). For all soils studied, moisture absorption and retention can be markedly improved by adding lignin-rich components.

It is preferable to use lignin-rich shell components to improve the water-binding and water-holding capacity of cultivated soils.

The lignin-based casing components in the dried state have an excellent oil- and fat-absorbing effect and are therefore very well suited for absorbing oils and fats, for example from the surface or from an air/gas mixture with oils and fats. Absorbed oils and fats do not spontaneously escape from the lignin-rich casing components, at the same time no "sintering" of the oil or grease impregnated material occurs, so that a very good transportability is maintained. In addition, it turned out that adsorbed oils and fats can be completely removed again from the lignin-rich shell components by using solvents, and they will have an unchanged ability to reabsorb oils and fats compared to the original. The lignin-based shell components have a low bulk density and can pass an air or gas flow through them without great resistance. It turned out that this can be used for the almost complete purification of air or gas mixtures that contain vapors of oils or fats, such as exhaust air from a deep fryer, from drops of oil or fat. Thus, lignin-based sheath components are excellent as oil traps or oil scavengers for surface applications or for absorption from air/gas mixtures.

It is preferred to use lignin-rich shell components to absorb and bind oils and fats from surfaces and from air/gas mixtures.

It is preferable to use lignin-rich casing components and/or cellulose-based fibers which have a fat and oil binding capacity of >200% by weight.

Cellulose-based fibers, which can be obtained by the method according to the invention, unexpectedly show special properties that differ from those of cellulose fibers obtained by the wood pulping process. So, for example, it turned out that with the same fibers based on cellulose, both hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds can be applied / applied to them or into them. In addition, it has turned out that after drying such filled cellulose-based fibers, the release of applied or incorporated hydrophilic or hydrophobic compounds occurs noticeably more slowly. In particular, this took place in the case of layer-by-layer deposition on the carrier material or layer-by-layer formation of the material.

Thus, it is possible to propose a method that will allow very easy, efficient and reliable disintegration/softening and decompacting and separation of plant shell material from plant seeds and grains using aqueous disintegrating solutions in which compounds are dissolved that are biologically harmless and do not harm the resulting products or even providing a significant increase in the value of the material. The quality of seeds, grains and plant kernels, due to the gentle removal of plant shell material in accordance with the invention, is markedly improved compared to the prior art, in particular, the integrity of the treated seeds, grains and kernels is maintained. At the same time, it is possible to improve the organoleptic properties of seeds, grains and kernels, for example, in terms of eliminating bitterness. In addition, the method can also be used for additional leaching of processed plant materials. In addition, valuable substances such as vitamins or antioxidants can be separated from disintegrated/leached or dissolved vegetable casing materials and recovered. In particular, it is possible to obtain decompressed fibers based on cellulose, which have special physical properties and which, due to their excellent organoleptic effects, are very well suited for the preparation of foodstuffs and dishes. Thus, it is possible to provide a process that is easy to carry out and inexpensive, as well as being gentle on products, for the disintegration/leaching of plant material, which is universally applicable and biologically safe.

Definitions

Vegetable raw materials

The term "raw material", as used herein, encompasses all biogenic products that contain one or more tissue structures that delimit or separate, partially or completely surround, or bind, or form a material composite structure with them. The expression "vegetable casing material" means in particular all once/delimiting, completely or partially surrounding or binding tissue structures that can be separated as a layer and which in common usage are called skins, peels, shells, shells, pulp or husks . The term is not limited to any particular material composition of the fabric texture of the plant shell material referred to herein. In principle, the raw material may contain any fraction of the various components, as well as other components and compounds. Typical components include, in particular, biopolymers such as cellulose or lignin, which can be present in different compositions and different textural forms/composite structures. Composite structures are here preferably understood to mean gap-free densified structures of one or more components.

Preferred raw materials are vegetable starting materials such as seeds, grains, kernels, nuts, beans, roots, tubers, vegetables, fruits or roots.

They may be present in the form of unripe, maturing, mature, overripe, old, or even damaged raw materials. Polluted or spoiled vegetable raw materials are also suitable. The plant material may be/be present in its fully intact form, damaged, crushed, dehulled, pressed, ground or otherwise disintegrated, including, without limitation, meal or meal, which is obtained, for example, from the mechanical extraction of oils, the so-called cake . This also includes raw materials, in particular vegetable raw materials, which have previously been subjected to a thermal and/or liquid extraction process, for example with an alcohol or an organic solvent such as hexane. It also includes plant raw materials that have been heat treated. It further includes plant products which can be obtained by the process of boiling and/or fermentation, in particular when they are residues, such as brewery residues (for example, in the form of stillage or ground stillage), or pomace from the production of young wine, or oil cake, as well as the remains of cocoa beans.

Also preferred are residues after pressing, such as are formed, for example, during the production of juices (for example, apple, tomato or carrot juice), or pomace, for example, grapes or apples, or extracts, which are formed during the production of jellies or liqueurs (for example, blackberry jelly, blackcurrant liqueur).

In addition, de-skinned, de-shelled or pitted plant products may be used.

This definition includes, in particular, all seeds of plants, such as, for example, linseed, poppy, chia, amaranth, chili pepper, tomato, anise, tubers; grains , such as rapeseed, false flax, oats, hemp, wheat, buckwheat, rye, barley, corn, sunflower, spelled, jatropha; bones , for example, from apple, pear, grape, orange, cherry, plum, apricot, peach, mountain ash, medlar, mirabelle, mountain ash, pumpkin, melon, avocado; beans , such as soybeans, field beans, cow peas, mung beans or common beans, coffee beans, peas, lentils, such as duckweed, in addition, lupine or sesame; vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, kohlrabi, zucchini, sweet peppers, artichokes or okra; tubers such as carrots or sugar beets; fruits such as apples, pears, quince, bananas, breadfruit, mango, kiwi, passionfruit, melon, passion fruit, figs, pumpkin, pineapple, avocado, olives, mango, chayote, guava, papaya, tamarillo, lucuma mammosa, grapefruit, oranges, lemons or grapes; berries such as rose hips, gooseberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, elderberries, currants, lingonberries, mulberries, chokeberries, raspberries, garden blackberries, sea buckthorn; as well as tuberous plants and roots such as potato, red beet, sweet potato, turmeric, cassava, horseradish, celery, radish, ginger, arakasha, taro, wasabi, yacon, scorzonera, asparagus, parsnip, turnip, Jerusalem artichoke, cattail, swede, Siberian angelica, yams, yams, sunflower roots, garlic, onions, kolnik or ginkgo; as well as cucumbers, like salad or pickling cucumbers, in addition, eggplant or zucchini, as well as acorns; nuts , such as almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, walnuts, cashews, Brazil nuts, pecans, pistachios, wild chestnuts, chestnuts, dates or coconuts; as well as sugar cane.

Dried starting products are preferred. Preferably pre-grinding by mechanical means. Preference is given to non-GMO vegetable raw materials for the production of non-GMO products.

The main constituents of seeds, grains and plant nuclei are proteins, carbohydrates, cellulose-based fibers and a lignin-rich shell. In addition, they contain vitamins, phytosterols, minerals, antioxidants, flavors and colorants.

Cellulose fibers

As used herein, the term "cellulose-based fibers" encompasses all particulate structures of plant materials that consist of a cellulose backbone and that have at least 2 of the following characteristics:

- come from vegetable raw materials,

– have a shape factor (ratio of length to cross-sectional diameter) from 1:1 to 1000:1,

– water-binding capacity >200 wt.%

- the proportion of chemical compounds and functional groups that do not correspond to the elements C, H or O, > 2.5 wt.%.

Cellulose-based fibers may already be in a loose composite with other compounds or components, for example, in a matrix broken and crushed during pressing or impact milling, such as in the case of pressed oilseed or ground grains, or they are in a stable composite structure. , which prevents leaching of cellulose-based fibers, as is the case, for example, in the case of vegetables and fruits.

However, in the non-leached feedstock, the cellulose-based fibers are in gap-free bonding with the other components of the feedstock. The compacted composite contains soluble proteins and carbohydrates. Thus, such cellulose-based fibers are in a densified form. Cellulose-based fibers according to the invention in decompressed form contain three-dimensional bulk and surface structures. In such a case, they may be in a composite structure with other solids (such as, for example, a lignin-rich shell), which can be separated by physical means, such as mechanical grinding and/or heat treatment, into spherical or corpuscular fragments.

Cellulose-based fibers that fall under this definition are characterized by their common structural features and physical properties. In decompressed form they have, in particular, spatial structures in the form of loose fibres, nets or spatial tissue structures. The cellulose fibers according to the invention preferably have a flat and/or particulate geometry. In particular, they are characterized by low linear weight, <20 mg/100m. They may include or encapsulate pigments, or the pigments are structural components of the fibers of the invention. However, other organic or inorganic compounds may be components of the cellulose-based fibers or may be inseparably associated with them via an aqueous medium.

Cellulose-based fibers, which are obtained in decompressed form by the method according to the invention, have these properties, which can be ascertained by methods of the prior art.

Lignin-rich shell components

As used herein, the expression "lignin-rich shell components" or "lignin-based shell" encompasses all shell and protective structures of vegetable raw materials in which the lignin content exceeds >30 wt.%. Preferred lignin-rich shell components have a lignin content of >40 wt.%, more preferably >50 wt.%, more preferably >60 wt.%, even more preferably >75 wt.% and particularly preferably >90 wt.%. They do not have any special external shape, which can vary from flat and polymorphic to corpuscular and round. The dimensions depend on the manufacturing process and can range from a few microns to a few millimeters. Lignin-rich shell components are present, for example, in rapeseed or jatropha seed pomace in a weight fraction of 8 to 15 wt.%.

Disintegration/leaching

The concept of "disintegration" covers all processes that lead to the separation / leaching of water-insoluble tissue structures or textures of the raw material, which leads to the formation of cracks, voids or cracks in the shell or skin material of the vegetable raw material, up to the complete leaching of tissue textures with exposure of surrounded surfaces of seeds, grains or kernels of vegetable raw materials. It is decisive here that the disintegration leads to hydration of the shell material and/or the separating layer or the gap between the disintegrated shell material and the surface of the seeds, grains or kernels surrounded by it. This also includes the partial or partial and/or local or complete dissolution of the vegetable casing material with the exposure/release of the individual components of the casing material.

The term disintegration, as used herein, also refers to a plant material that is or has been surrounded by a shell or skin. In this case, separation/peeling of the components of the raw material also occurs, which is caused by the hydration of its components. The disintegration discussed here causes the hydration of components that are linked to each other and/or to each other by covalent or electrostatic bonding forces, as is the case in gap-free composite structures or keratinized cellulose aggregates, as a result of which the individual components leach out and spontaneously separate in the aqueous distribution volume or can be separated from each other by a slight shear force. The "water leaching" referred to herein, which is here also simply referred to as "leaching", occurs when, as a result of the hydration of individual compounds/components, the binding energy with other compounds/components has been reduced by the value at which the hydrated compounds/components spontaneously disperse in the aqueous phase, or can be separated from each other with little input of energy. Thus, the terms "disintegration" and "leaching" as used herein can be used interchangeably.

Aqueous disintegrant/leaching solution

The expressions "aqueous disintegrant solution" or "aqueous leaching solution" in the context of the invention should be understood as an aqueous solution of solutes for disintegration, as well as for separating/removing raw material components. In one preferred embodiment of the process, the substances for disintegration or for separating/removing raw material components contain one or more amino acids and/or peptides which are in completely dissolved form in water. Water refers to clarified, clarified and purified industrial water, deionized, partially deionized well or tap water. The preferred substances which are present in dissolved form for the removal/separation of the raw material components are natural amino acids and/or peptides which consist of or contain these amino acids. Aqueous leaching solutions according to the invention are preferably solutions of one, two or more amino acids and/or peptides, which are present in individual and/or total concentrations in the range from 10 µmol/l to 3 mol/l, more preferably from 1 mmol/l to 1 mol/l and more preferably from 0.1 mol/l to 0.5 mol/l. These may be L- or D-forms or racemates of the compounds. It is preferable to use the L-shape. Preferred are alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine and valine. Particularly preferred are the amino acids arginine, lysine, histidine and glutamine. In addition, derivatives of the above amino acids are preferred. Peptides suitable for use according to the invention may be di-, tri- and/or polypeptides. The peptides of the invention contain at least one functional group that binds or can bind a proton. The preferred molecular weight is less than 500 kDa, more preferably <250 kDa, more preferably <100 kDa, and particularly preferably <1000 Da. Preferred functional groups are, in particular, guanidino, amidino, amino, amido, hydrazino, hydrazono, hydroxyimino or nitro groups. In this case, the amino acids may contain a single functional group or several from one class of compounds or one or more functional groups from different classes of compounds. Preferably, the amino acids and peptides of the invention contain at least one positively charged group or have a net positive charge. Therefore, cationic amino acids are particularly preferred. Particularly preferred peptides contain at least one of the amino acids arginine, lysine, histidine and glutamine in any amount and in sequential order. Especially preferred are amino acids and/or derivatives thereof which contain at least one guanidino and/or amidino group. The guanidino group is the chemical residue H ₂ N–C(NH)–NH–, as well as its cyclic forms, and the amidino group is the chemical residue H ₂ N–C(NH)–, as well as its cyclic forms. These guanidine and amidine compounds preferably have K _OW partition coefficients between n-octanol and water of less than 6.3 (K _OW < 6.3). Especially preferred are arginine derivatives. Arginine derivatives are defined as compounds which contain a guanidino group and a carboxylate group or an amidino group and a carboxylate group, wherein the guanidino group and the carboxylate group or the amidino group and the carboxylate group are separated from each other by at least one carbon atom, i.e. between the guanidino group or the amidino group and the carboxylate group is at least one of the following groups: –CH ₂ –, –CHR–, –CRR'–, where R and R' independently of each other mean arbitrary chemical residues. Of course, the distance between the guanidino group and the carboxylate group or between the amidino group and the carboxylate group can also be more than one carbon atom, as is the case, for example, in the following groups -(CH2)n-, -(CHR)n-, -(CRR ')n-, where n=2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, as, for example, in amidinopropionic acid, amidinobutyric acid, guanidinopropionic acid or guanidinobutyric acid. Compounds having more than one guanidino group and more than one carboxylate group are, for example, oligoarginine and polyarginine. Other examples of compounds falling under this definition are guanidinoacetic acid, creatine, glycocyamine. While a common feature of the preferred compounds is that they correspond to the General formulas (I) or (II)

formula (I) formula (II)

and

R, R ' , R", R‴ and R"" independently of each other mean -H, -CH=CH ₂ , -CH ₂ -CH=CH ₂ , -C(CH ₃ )=CH ₂ , -CH= CH-CH ₃ , -C ₂ H ₄ -CH=CH ₂ , -CH ₃ , -C ₂ H ₅ , -C ₃ H ₇ , -CH(CH ₃ ) ₂ , -C ₄ H ₉ , -CH ₂ - CH(CH ₃ ) ₂ , -CH(CH ₃ )-C ₂ H _{5 ,} -C(CH ₃ ) ₃ , -C ₅ H ₁₁ , -CH(CH ₃ )-C ₃ H ₇ , -CH ₂ -CH (CH ₃ )-C ₂ H ₅ , -CH(CH ₃ )-CH(CH ₃ ) ₂ , -C(CH ₃ ) ₂ -C ₂ H ₅ , -CH ₂ -C(CH ₃ ) ₃ , -CH (C ₂ H ₅ ) ₂ , -C ₂ H ₄ -CH(CH ₃ ) ₂ , -C ₆ H ₁₃ , -C ₇ H ₁₅ , Cyclo-C ₃ H ₅ , cyclo-C ₄ H ₇ , cyclo-C ₅ H ₉ , Cyclo-C ₆ H ₁₁ ,-C≡CH, -C≡C-CH ₃ , -CH ₂ -C≡CH, -C ₂ H ₄ -C≡CH, -CH ₂ -C≡C- CH ₃ ,

or R ' and R '' together form the residue -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -, -CO-CH ₂ -, -CH ₂ -CO-, -CH=CH-, -CO-CH=CH-, -CH=CH -CO-, -CO-CH ₂ -CH ₂ -, -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CO-, -CH ₂ -CO-CH ₂ - or -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -;

X is –NH-, -NR""-, or -CH ₂ - or a substituted carbon atom, and

L is a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated C ₁ -C ₈ carbon chain with at least one substituent selected from the group containing or consisting of:

-NH ₂ , -OH, -PO ₃ H ₂ , -PO ₃ H ^- , -PO ₃ ^{2 -} , -OPO ₃ H ₂ , -OPO ₃ H ^- , -OPO ₃ ^{2 -} , -COOH, -COO ^- , -CO-NH ₂ , -NH ₃ ⁺ , -NH-CO-NH ₂ , -N (CH ₃ ) ₃ ⁺ , -N (C ₂ H ₅ ) ₃ ⁺ , -N (C ₃ H ₇ ) ₃ ⁺ , -NH(CH ₃ ) ₂ ⁺ , -NH(C ₂ H ₅ ) ₂ ⁺ , -NH(C ₃ H ₇ ) ₂ ⁺ , -NHCH ₃ , -NHC ₂ H ₅ , -NHC ₃ H ₇ , -NH ₂ CH ₃ ⁺ , -NH ₂ C ₂ H ₅ ⁺ , -NH ₂ C ₃ H ₇ ⁺ , -SO ₃ H, -SO ₃ ^- , -SO ₂ NH ₂ , -C (NH) -NH ₂ , -NH- C(NH)-NH ₂ , - -NH-COOH, or

Preferably, the carbon chain L contains 1 to 7 C atoms, preferably 1 to 6, more preferably 1 to 5, and most preferably 1 to 4.

Preferably, L is -CH(NH ₂ )-COOH, -CH ₂ -CH(NH ₂ )-COOH, -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH(NH ₂ )-COOH, -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH (NH ₂ ) -COOH, -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH (NH ₂ ) -COOH or -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH (NH ₂ )-COOH.

Compounds of the general formula (III) below are also preferred.

in which the residues X and L have the meanings described in this document.

Also suitable are di-, tri- or oligopeptides, as well as polypeptides which consist of one, two or more amino acids. Short chain peptides are preferred, eg RDG. Particularly preferred are peptides composed of amino acids which contain both hydrophobic and hydrophilic side groups, such as (designated according to the Index of Amino Acid Names) GLK, QHM, KSF, ACG, HML, SPR, EHP or SFA. Even more preferred are peptides which simultaneously contain hydrophobic and cationic and/or anionic side groups, such as RDG, BCAA, NCR, HIS, SPR, EHP or SFA. Other examples with 4 amino acids are NCQA, SIHC, DCGA, TSVR, HIMS or RNIF, and with 5 amino acids HHGQC, STYHK, DCQHR, HHKSS, TSSHH, NSRR. Especially preferred are RDG, SKH or RRC.

Other substances can also be used for the leaching/disintegrating solutions according to the invention, which in this case are completely dissolved. Particularly preferred substances are: sulfites such as sodium sulfite or sodium bisulfite and/or urea and/or carbonates such as sodium carbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate. Other substances for adjusting the pH of the solution are, in particular, a base or acid, such as urea or NaOH, sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, or triethylamine, or acetic acid, or uric acid, or substances with surfactant properties, such as DMSO or SDS. In addition, stabilizers such as antioxidants or reducing agents may also be present. Further preferred are substances which enable the disintegration of the raw material components, these substances are selected from the group of sulphites and sulfates. Particular preference is given to sodium sulfite and sodium bisulfite. As well as cationic nitrogen compounds like diethylamine or triethylamine.

In aqueous disintegrant/leaching solutions, the listed substances may be present in dissolved form individually, or in any combination with each other, and/or together with other substances. The preferred concentration at which the individual substances are present in dissolved form is from 0.001 to 30 wt.%, more preferably from 0.01 to 15 wt.% and even more preferably from 0.1 to 10 wt.%. The pH value of aqueous solutions preferably lies in the range from 7 to 14, more preferably from 8 to 13 and more preferably from 8.5 to 12.5.

Decompression

The term "decompression", as used herein, means the partial or complete separation of gap-free composites of the same or different components, as a result of which these components are separated from each other, and / or a gap is formed that contains a gas or liquid medium. The loosening referred to here refers, in particular, to hydration leading to the separability of filamentary and/or fabric water-insoluble fiber structures based on cellulose and a lignin-rich sheath, which makes it possible to spatially separate the soluble components in the water distribution volume, resulting in the formation of spatial structures of loosened cellulose-based, water-insoluble fibers that contain little or no water-soluble compounds.

distribution solution

The term "distribution solution", which is used herein as a synonym for the term "distribution volume", refers to the aqueous phase that is added to the reaction mixture and which ensures the distribution and separation of soluble dissolved, soluble solids and complex insoluble components of the raw material. In the distribution volume according to the invention, these components are present in an easily separable form. The presence of a sufficiently large distribution volume can be established by sampling, in which the separability of dissolved and suspended components is determined by the methods and methods described herein.

Condensation/aggregation/complexation

The terms "condensation/aggregation/complexation" cover all physical and/or chemical processes that lead to the combination of the same and/or different organic and/or inorganic compounds, resulting in the formation of condensates or aggregates or complexes that can be separated as solids from the aqueous process mixture by a suitable method for separating the aqueous phase. The term "condensate" refers to the spatial convergence of macromolecular structures, which as a result form a measurable spatial structure. Bonding forces are electrostatic through hydrophobic or hydrophilic bonding energy. Generally speaking, "aggregation" means the accumulation or concentration of atoms, molecules and/or ions to form a larger compound, aggregate. The accumulation or concentration is caused by van der Waals forces, due to the formation of hydrogen bridges and / or other chemical or physico-chemical types of bonding. By "complexes" in this document refers to macroscopically observable formations, which through condensates and/or aggregates are combined into a larger composite structure. Due to the low binding energies in condensates, aggregates and complexes, individual compounds can be easily leached out of composite structures, for example, by mixing, and can be isolated. In contrast, coagulates are spatial structures ranging from small to macromolecular compounds that are formed as a result of a chemical reaction in which covalent bonds between molecular structures are formed and/or cleaved. In the case of a coagulate, the individual compounds cannot be separated from each other at all or can be isolated to a small extent by the dissolution process in water. The condensation/aggregation/complexation discussed here is different from coagulation, which in particular is carried out by a precipitation reaction with a (strong) acid, in which denaturation occurs and in which at least the original tertiary structure of proteins disappears partially or completely. With aggregation/complexation or condensation according to the invention, this does not occur. The denaturation of the compounds can be recognized, for example, by the lower water-binding capacity, which is significantly higher for the condensates/aggregates and complexes mentioned here.

Complexing agents/aggregating agents

The term "complexing agent" or "substance causing aggregation" in the context of the invention means one or more organic and/or inorganic substances that initiate, maintain and/or accelerate the condensation / aggregation / complexation of components / organic compounds dissolved in water of an aqueous process mixture. However, they can, among other things, have a catalytic, destabilizing, displacing and / or releasing effect on components subject to condensation, aggregation or complexation, which leads to the combination of components / organic compounds. However, these substances can cause these effects through a change in pH and/or salinity and/or themselves can participate in this association.

Preferred aggregating agents include in particular organic acids, particularly preferred are citric acid, ascorbic acid, lactic acid, adipic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Further, inorganic acids, phosphoric acid is particularly preferred. Then, calcium, magnesium and aluminum ions, which are present preferably in the form of a salt, for example calcium chloride or magnesium chloride. Further, carbonate anions, which are preferably in the form of salts, for example sodium carbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate. In addition, silicate anions, which are preferably in the form of salts, such as sodium metasilicate.

The complexing agents may be used in the form of a solid, preferably in the form of a fine powder or in a form completely dissolved in an aqueous medium. Aqueous solutions are preferred. While the concentration is preferably in the range from 1 mmol/l to 5 mol/l, more preferably from 100 mmol/l to 3 mol/l and more preferably from 200 mmol/l to 2 mol/l.

Raw Material Components/Organic Compounds

The expressions "feedstock components" and "organic compounds", which are used interchangeably herein, cover all organic compounds of biogenic origin that make up or contain the starting materials mentioned here and which can be obtained/isolated from biogenic feedstock by one of those described here. ways. These may be single compounds, for example in the form of molecules, or complex compounds, for example in the form of polymers. Depending on the possible sources, organic compounds of different groups of substances have been found, which can be present individually, but more often in various combinations and in very different quantitative ratios. Therefore, only the main groups of substances to which organic compounds can be assigned are listed below, but these groups are not limiting: proteins, including albumins, globulins, oleosins. In addition, lipids such as mono-, di- or triglycerides, waxes, wax acids, hydroxy acids and mycolic acids, fatty acids with cyclic hydrocarbon structures such as shikimic acid or 2-hydroxy-11-cycloheptylundecanoic acid, manosteryl erythritol lipid, dyes , such as carotenes and carotenoids, chlorophylls and their degradation products, further, phenols, phytosterols, in particular β-sitosterol, campesterol and sigmasterol, sterols, sinapin, squalene. Phytoestrogens, such as isoflavones or lignans. Carbohydrates that are present in polymeric form and are insoluble in water, such as cellulose, or present in complex form, such as starch, or in water-soluble form, such as glucose or fructose. In addition, steroids and their derivatives, such as saponins, in addition, glycolipids and glycoglycerolipids and glycerophingolipids, further, rhamnolipids, sofrolipids, trehalose lipids, mannosterylerythritol lipids. Also polysaccharides, including pectins such as rhamnogalacturonans and polygalacturonic acid esters, arabinans (homoglycans), galactans and arabinogalactans, as well as pectic acids and amidopectins. In addition, phospholipids, in particular phosphotidylinositol, phosphatides such as phosphoinositol, in addition, long-chain or cyclic carbon compounds, in addition, fatty alcohols, hydroxy and epoxy fatty acids. As well as glycosides, lipoproteins, phytate or phytic acid, as well as glucoinosylates. In addition, vitamins, such as retinol (vitamin A) and its derivatives, such as retinoic acid, riboflavin (vitamin B2), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), biotin (vitamin B7), folic acid (vitamin B9), cobalamins (vitamin B12), calcitriol (vitamin D) and their derivatives, tocopherols (vitamin E) and tocotrienols, phylloquinone (vitamin K) and menaquinone. Further, tannins, terpenoids, curcumanoids, xanthones. As well as fragrances or odorants and flavors, colorants, phospholipids and glycolipids, waxes or wax acids and fatty alcohols. In addition, water-insoluble biopolymers such as lignins and cellulose, which are preferably in the form of tissue-like composite structures.

Squirrels

The term "proteins" as used herein refers to macromolecules that are composed of amino acids linked to each other by peptide bonds. The proteins discussed here contain >100 amino acids. They may be present in the form of their primary, secondary or tertiary structure, as well as in a functionally active form. In this case, in the case of a secondary structure, the spatial geometry can have the form of an α-helix, a folded β-sheet, a β-loop, a β-helix, or be disordered, like a conformation of a random coil. Also included are supramolecular compounds of proteins, such as, for example, collagen, keratin, enzyme, ion channels, membrane receptors, genes, antibodies, toxins, hormones or coagulation factor. In accordance with the ubiquity in all life forms and spheres of life, the proteins mentioned here can be macromolecular compounds in any of the indicated forms, the physiological task of which is, for example, shaping, support, transportation or protective function, or they serve to reproduce, or to generate energy, or to speed up the reaction/transformation. By this is meant, in particular, proteins as defined above, which can be extracted from the raw materials described here.

Methods

The method of preparation of vegetable raw materials

Depending on the different origin and recovery possibilities of the raw material used in accordance with the invention, it can be in various forms and states. Thus, it can be, for example, whole/intact seeds, grains, kernels, nuts, vegetables, fruits, flowers, fruit buds or roots, and/or completely or partially soluble, crushed, ground, pounded or pressed plant materials. , and/or plant materials partially or completely fermented or disintegrated, in particular as a result of autolysis/microbial degradation/physico-chemical reaction, and/or residues from agricultural production or food production or disposal. Broken, divided, crushed, powdered or liquefied or dissolved plant starting materials may be in the form of cohesive or isolated pieces or be aggregated, for example, in the form of granules or compacted mass, or be in the form of a loose composite, such as granulate or bulk material , or in isolated form such as flour or powder, or in the form of a suspension. The consistency, shape and size of the plant starting materials are in principle unimportant, but crushed plant materials are preferred, which allow for easier leaching. The preferred maximum diameters of the plant materials to be distributed are 100 µm to 100 cm, more preferably 0.5 mm to 50 cm, more preferably 1 mm to 20 cm, and more preferably 2 mm to 5 cm. , as well as the consistency, which may be hard or soft, or the raw material may be in liquid form. In this case, the raw material can have an arbitrary temperature, preferably heated raw material, which is obtained, for example, at the end of the pressing process. If the plant material does not have suitable properties or does not meet the requirements for carrying out the method according to the invention, these conditions can be achieved by the method according to the prior art. This includes in particular a process which enables and/or facilitates the leaching of plant materials according to the invention. This includes, in particular, the mechanical method by which the plant material can be crushed. In this case, in particular, for the economic efficiency of the process, it is required to first grind the plant material and dry it or first dry it and then grind it. In one embodiment of the method, the crushed and then dried plant material is ground to a specific particle size prior to process step a), particle sizes between 10 µm and 2 cm are preferred, more preferably between 30 µm and 5 mm. However, according to the invention, grinding is carried out during or after the addition of the disintegrating/leaching solution. In one embodiment of the method, lignin-containing components are first mechanically removed from the plant material. These can be, for example, casing materials of vegetable raw materials, such as, for example, skins, casings or husks, for example, apple or grape seeds. From the prior art known mechanical methods to achieve this goal.

The feedstock is placed in a suitable container, which is preferably top-fillable and has a closable outlet on the underside.

Methods for the preparation and use of aqueous solutions for disintegration, as well as for leaching of raw materials

Leaching solutions according to the invention are prepared with leaching agents according to the invention as defined herein. To do this, one or more of the substances is dissolved in water, and the water may be clarified technical water, fully deionized water, as well as well or city tap water. For dissolution, it may be necessary to raise the temperature and/or continue the mixing process for up to two days. Preferably, the pH of the solution of cationic amino acids or peptides is set in the range of 7 to 14, more preferably 8 to 13, and more preferably 8.5 to 12.5. In one embodiment, the pH can be adjusted to any value in the range of 6 to 14 by adding an acid or base. In this case, acids and bases known from the prior art, for example, sodium hydroxide solution or HCl, can be used.

Methods for carrying out the technological stage b ) combining raw materials with a disintegrating solution and keeping in a disintegrating solution until disintegration is achieved.

At this technological stage, the wetting of the surfaces of the components inside the plant material must be ensured. This can be done in a manner known from the prior art on whole or disintegrated plant material. Leaching solutions can be prepared at any temperature and combined with the feedstock. The addition may be carried out in the form of droplets, for example, in the form of an aerosol, drops or stream, continuously or intermittently, into and/or onto the feedstock. In one preferred embodiment, this is carried out with the exclusion of air and/or under protective conditions. It is preferable to immerse the plant material to be leached in an aqueous leaching solution. The addition is carried out by supplying the prepared leaching solution in a controlled amount from the collection tank through the supply line to the raw material.

The disintegrated form of the shells and peels is obtained when the shells or peel, in whole or in part, can be separated/removed from the plant material, spontaneously, for example, in an aqueous distribution volume or using a water jet or light mechanical force. Disintegration of the components of the shell or skin material or components of the raw material means that the individual components of the raw material are dissolved or leached from the solid and water-insoluble composite or from the surrounding composite structure (eg skin). "Leached" in this connection means that the individual compounds/components can spontaneously separate in the water distribution volume. "Leachable" means that the disintegrated or soluble components or compounds can be easily and completely isolated in the aqueous distribution volume with little input of energy. Physical methods, such as heating or mechanical grinding, can also be used for this.

In principle, thermal disintegration is preferred when the plant material has a high moisture content, as in the case of fresh fruits and vegetables. Here, the disintegration is preferably carried out by transferring thermal energy through water or steam. Preferably, pressure is simultaneously applied.

Mechanical disintegration is advantageous in particular when the plant material has a low moisture content and/or is enclosed in a waterproof shell/skin. In addition, the mechanical method is preferable when it is first necessary to remove another fraction from the plant material, such as oil.

In one preferred embodiment of the process, the disintegration of plant materials is achieved by completely or partially mechanically crushing the raw material, introducing it into a water bath and heating until the part of the raw material, which contains mainly the extractable components of the raw material, becomes so soft that it light force impact, for example, crushing with fingers, will not disintegrate into a mushy or liquid phase. This is particularly advantageous if, due to the different degrees of strength of the various structures, after completion of the above disintegration variant, these different structures, for example mesosperm and sheath, are very easily delimited from each other in the form of layers and can be separated mechanically. In one preferred embodiment, the heating is carried out in an autoclave along with pressurization. In one preferred embodiment, the vegetable shell material is removed before and/or after the disintegration of the plant material.

In one particularly preferred embodiment, the disintegration of the plant material is carried out by prior introduction into one of the aqueous solutions according to the invention, containing the aqueous disintegrant/leaching solution according to the invention. In this case, in principle, the volume or weight ratio can be chosen freely, but it is preferable that the plant material is completely wetted by the leaching solution. Preferably, the ratio of the volume of water in the aqueous leach solution to the mass of plant material is 0.3 to 30, more preferably 0.5 to 20, more preferably 0.7 to 10, and even more preferably 0.8 to 5. B In one version of the method, the impregnation of plant material with a leaching solution occurs during disintegration or immediately after its completion. In one variant of the method, the impregnation is carried out directly with compounds that enable/accelerate the disintegration of the plant material. The duration of exposure to the leaching solution depends on the plant material used. Preferably, the duration is from 1 minute to 48 hours, more preferably from 10 minutes to 14 hours, and more preferably from 20 minutes to 6 hours. The temperature at which the aqueous leaching solution acts on the plant material can, in principle, be freely chosen. The preferred temperature is 5°C to 140°C, more preferably 10°C to 120°C, and more preferably 15°C to 90°C.

Methods for implementing the technological stage c ) distributing the components of the disintegrated raw materials in the distribution volume

In one preferred embodiment, the disintegrated shell/skin material and/or plant material from the previous processing step is dissolved in water to completely hydrate the separated/separated components, whereby they are in a separate form and without joining/sticking with other components. In this case, the distributing volume according to the invention is the volume of water, which ensures the isolation and separation of the shell/skin material and/or raw material components.

When removing/separating the sheath material, a very small volume of water can be sufficient, which is introduced, for example, by means of a water jet. If disintegration and leaching are carried out, the required distribution volume must be large enough to allow complete hydration of the soluble or separable components and to ensure the separation of the dissolved and insoluble components of the feedstock. In the case of a leaching mixture, the necessary distribution volume is preferably determined by preparing a series of dilutions from a sample from a previous processing step (eg 10 g for a separation/removal mixture). After a stirring phase for 3 minutes, filtration (sieve size 100 μm) of the suspension is carried out. The filter residue is analyzed (visually or under a microscope) for the presence of deposits/attachments of soluble and water-washable compounds. The filtrate is then mixed with an appropriate solution of the aggregating agent in increasing dosage. A sufficiently large distribution volume will be present when there is no settling/adherence of the solid components of the feedstock present in the filter cake and complete condensation and/or aggregation and/or complexation of the dissolved soluble components present in the distribution mixture can be achieved.

The ratio of volume of water to dry weight of the starting product is preferably from 5:1 to 500:1, more preferably from 10:1 to 150:1, and more preferably from 15:1 to 50:1. For this purpose, clarified industrial water from later processing stages, or deionized water, or tap or well water that is not further purified can be used. The method of introducing or bringing into contact the separation/removal mixture and the aqueous phase at this stage of the process can be arbitrary. It is preferable to introduce together with the aqueous phase using a high shear mixer or other high intensity mixer. This is particularly advantageous as it allows for direct hydration and segregation. Also preferred are agitators that create turbulent flow, such as a propeller or a hydro-motor agitator. The distribution operation can be carried out continuously or intermittently and at any temperature, the preferred temperature range of the aqueous suspension is from 6°C to 90°C, more preferably from 10°C to 60°C and more preferably from 18°C to 40°C. C. The duration of the distribution process can be arbitrary, but a duration of 1 minute to 24 hours is preferred, more preferably 5 minutes to 5 hours, and more preferably 10 minutes to 1 hour.

The distribution process during leaching of raw materials components is sufficient and ends when in a representative sample, which is taken from the distribution volume and then filtered through a large (mesh size 1 mm) and fine (mesh size 100 μm) sieve, and in the filter residue in a microscope or visually it is impossible to recognize visible aggregates of various components of plant materials. Successful distribution of raw material components can also be determined by introducing a sample of the distribution mixture into a graduated cylinder and if a separation of three or, in the presence of lipids, four distinct phases is observed within a short time. The required time should not exceed 4 hours.

In addition, according to the invention, the pH of the distribution solution is monitored and optionally adjusted. This can be done with alkalis or acids known in the art, preferred acids are HCl or formic acid, preferred bases are NaOH or urea. The pH of the distribution solution is preferably 5 to 13, more preferably 7 to 12.5 more preferably 7.5 to 11.

The volume of water required to carry out the following process steps according to the invention is provided from a suitable reservoir.

Methods for performing the process step d) separating the solid components from the dissolved components of the raw material

The solid components of the raw materials discussed here are organic compounds which are no longer dissolved in the disintegration/leaching process according to the invention and which can be recovered as particulate structures by filtration and do not pass through a 10 µm sieve. The recovery of the solids is preferably carried out by filtration methods known in the art. However, technological methods can also be used in which the separation of solids from a liquid mixture is carried out, for example, using centrifugal acceleration, such as a mesh decanter, or the eddy current method. At the end of process step d), the process fluid or distribution mixture preferably contains <5% by weight, more preferably <2.5% by weight, and more preferably <1% by weight of solids that have a maximum size of >10 µm.

Methods for carrying out the technological stage e) extracting the separated components of plant materials as valuable fractions

In one preferred embodiment, the fractions separated from each other in step d) of the process are fed to specific processing steps, namely

e1) separating the cellulose-based fibers from the lignin-rich shell of the solid components of the plant material by means of the eddy current method and obtaining a purified cellulose-based fiber fraction as well as a lignin-rich shell fraction,

e2) aggregation/complexation of dissolved proteins from the dissolved components of plant materials with the help of a complexing agent and separation of the precipitated aggregated/complex-bound condensed proteins to obtain an aggregated/complex-bound protein mass.

If it is required to isolate only one valuable fraction, only one of the two technological stages can be used.

Process step e1) separates different or identical disintegrated solids, which are preferably in the form of shell/skin material or cellulose-based fibers and/or lignin-rich shell components. The separation of different solids can be carried out by filtration methods or by the eddy current method. Filtration is preferably carried out by suspending the solid material in water and passing it, preferably with stirring, through a sieve, and/or the suspension is passed through a mesh material with different mesh sizes. In the eddy current method, the pulp is also preferably suspended. The aqueous phases exiting through the top and bottom outlet of the separation device are filtered and the sieve fractions are recovered. The preferred ratio of process solution to volume of plant material from step b) is 0.1:1 to 10000:1, more preferably 0.5:1 to 1000:1, more preferably 1:1 to 500:1 and more preferably from 2:1 to 20:1.

The process step is completed when, at the macroscopic or microscopic level or by analysis, a grade purity of the obtained different solids fractions is achieved, preferably >95 wt.%, more preferably >97 wt.% and more preferably >99 wt.%.

Technological stage e2) can be carried out if, as a result of the disintegration/leaching process, soluble components were also separated/leached from the raw materials, which are in the process liquid purified from solids from the previous stage.

In one preferred embodiment, in this process step, condensation and/or aggregation and/or complexation of the dissolved proteins and/or other dissolved organic and/or inorganic compounds of the filtrate from the previous process step occurs. The aim of this aggregation process is to bring together dissolved or hydrated components, in particular proteins, to form a condensed phase/mass which can be separated by known separation methods and recovered with as little water as possible. Preferably, one or more suitable aggregating agents are added. Suitable aggregating agents are, for example, acids, including preferably organic acids, such as acetic acid, ascorbic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, as well as inorganic acids, such as HCl, sulfuric acid. or phosphoric acid, in addition, salts such as NaCl, KCl, MgCl ₂ , CaCl ₂ or NaSO ₄ , AlCl ₂ and complexing agents such as EDTA or adsorbents such as calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, kaolin or other clay minerals. In addition, soluble divalent cations are preferred, preferably aluminum, calcium and magnesium salts. Further, combinations of aggregating agents listed here are advantageous, for example the combination of citric acid and aluminum chloride. Furthermore, carbonates such as Na carbonate, Na hydrogen carbonate or calcium carbonate are preferred. In addition, silicate compounds, especially Na metasilicate, sodium orthosilicate, as well as other soluble silicates. The pH value of aqueous solutions containing aggregating solutes can in principle be freely chosen and depends on the efficiency of the aggregation achieved. If necessary, a buffer can also be added to the solution of the aggregating agent to adjust the pH of the solution.

Suitability can be very easily determined by one skilled in the art by adding various aggregating agents from step d) to the sample in increasing concentrations and with stirring, and examining it for completeness of aggregation/complexation of the dissolved components. To do this, one or more aggregating solutions/aggregating agents are added to the supernatant after centrifugal separation of the condensate and mixed. If, after a quiet period of at least 10 minutes, no precipitate is formed on the new centrifugation and the aqueous phase is clear or almost clear, the aggregation/condensation of the dissolved components has taken place sufficiently. In another embodiment, the aggregating agent or agents is added to the reaction mixture as a solid, preferably in powder form. Aggregation/complexation can be detected after a short residence time with the naked eye. The selection of an appropriate concentration can be made by centrifuging a sample of the aggregation/complexation/condensation solution and re-treating the supernatant with the same and/or other solutions of aggregating agents. If as a result no more visible condensates/aggregates/complexes are formed and/or can be separated, <6 wt.%, preferably <4 wt.% and most preferably <2 wt.% of dissolved proteins are in solution.

Aggregating agents are completely dissolved in water, which is preferably ion-free or deionized. The concentration of substances that cause aggregation depends on the process conditions and must be set individually. Generally, a concentration range of 1 mmol/L to 5 mol/L is preferred, more preferably 100 mmol/L to 3 mol/L, and more preferably 200 mmol/L to 2 mol/L. The volume of the solution with one or more aggregating agents, or in the case where the aggregating agents are provided in the form of different aqueous solutions, is added continuously or discontinuously, dropwise or as a jet. It is preferable to stir the reaction mixture, stirring is preferably carried out under conditions of slightly turbulent or laminar flow, which prevents the decomposition of the resulting condensates/aggregates/complexes. It is preferable to carry out complete stirring of the reaction mixture. Process control is preferably carried out by direct visual control of the condensation step or by monitoring the process by determining the degree of turbidity of the resulting clarified aqueous phase. The extent of condensation/aggregation/complexation of dissolved compounds can be easily determined by the method described above, and one or more aggregating agents can be added to the reaction solution, if necessary. The mixing time is in principle freely selectable. In one preferred embodiment of the method, mixing is carried out only during the addition of one or more aggregating agents, or for a period of 10 seconds to 5 minutes, more preferably 20 seconds to 2 minutes.

The temperature at which the condensation and/or aggregation and/or complexation is carried out can, in principle, be freely chosen. The preferred temperature is 6°C to 90°C, more preferably 10°C to 60°C, and more preferably 18°C to 40°C. It is preferable to set the pH in a certain range, the optimum pH depends on the choice or combination with the substance that causes aggregation. The optimum pH range can be determined in the manner described above. The pH of the aqueous solution containing dissolved compounds with which condensation and/or aggregation and/or complexation of the dissolved proteins and/or other dissolved compounds takes place is preferably between 5 and 13, more preferably between 6 and 12 and more preferably from 6.5 to 11.

In one particularly preferred embodiment, after the completion of the addition of one or more aggregating agents, a period is maintained in which the mixture is not agitated or only minimally agitated. Similarly to the above method, the desired time of the condensation phase can be set, preferably 5 minutes to 10 hours, more preferably 10 minutes to 5 hours, and more preferably 15 minutes to 2 hours. If the rest period is to be reduced to a minimum, a sufficient minimum length of the rest period after the addition of an aggregating agent can be easily determined by using a sample that is subjected to centrifugation and, similarly to that described above, the degree of condensation and/or aggregation and/or complex formation is determined. achieved with a condensation agent.

The condensation phase is preferably carried out at ambient temperature, preferably in the temperature range from 15°C to 40°C. In other preferred embodiments, it is carried out at a temperature of 5°C to 15°C on the one hand and 40°C to 90°C on the other hand. The choice of a lower temperature may be preferred, for example when recovering heat-labile compounds. A high temperature, eg 60° C., can be chosen so that, in the event of microbial contamination of the raw material, microbial destruction can be undertaken, eg in the form of pasteurization. On the other hand, heating can also inactivate allergens and some toxins, as well as inedible compounds. In one preferred embodiment of the method, the condensed/aggregated/complex-bound proteins can be recovered in the form of a precipitate. Sedimentation ends when no further sedimentation occurs. Preferably, the sludge phase is discharged through the bottom outlet and fed to the next dehydrogenation process or directly to a drying process, such as spray drying, or spray drying with simultaneous grinding, or freeze drying.

In one preferred embodiment of the process, the condensed/aggregated/complexed compounds from this process step are dehydrogenated to be freed from bound process water, purified, conditioned and/or made easily transportable or easy to formulate. The type of precipitate obtained at the end of this stage can preferably vary from a suspension to a viscous creamy mass. Preferred is dehydration, which is carried out by filtration methods. Application to a belt filter is preferred. While the preferred filters have a mesh size of from 50 to 500 microns, more preferably from 80 to 350 microns and more preferably from 100 to 320 microns. It is preferable to use a filter cloth made of polypropylene or other hydrophobic polymer threads. The preferred devices are belt filter, chamber filter or filter press, as well as chamber filter press and vacuum belt filter. Further, centrifugal methods are preferred, centrifuges or decanters are particularly suitable. The residual moisture content in the resulting dehydrated condensate mass can be selected specifically for the process, for example, how a flowable, or spreadable, or dimensionally stable protein mass is obtained. In principle, the most complete separation of the bound process water is required. When using a decanter, the separation is preferably carried out with >2000g, more preferably with >3000g and more preferably with >3500g. The residence time in the decanter is preferably >10 sec, more preferably >20 sec, and more preferably >30 sec. More preferred is a pressing process to remove bound process water. Preferably, the process water removal is carried out in a filter device with a permeable filter cloth/material. Preferably, pressure is applied to the condensed or already dehydrated mass in the filter chamber, whereby the residual moisture content can be reduced to the desired level.

It is preferable to carry out the process at ambient temperature, in the range from 15°C to 40°C. In further preferred embodiments, temperatures can be selected from the range of 5°C to 15°C or 40°C to 80°C.

It is preferable to obtain a dehydrated mass with a residual moisture content of <90 wt.%, more preferably <80 wt.%, more preferably <70 wt.%, even more preferably <60 wt.% and even more preferably <40 wt.%.

Methods for determining water holding capacity

Water holding capacity can be determined by methods of the prior art. In one method, the water content of a 0.5 g sample is determined and suspended in a 100 ml Erlenmeyer flask in 50 ml of distilled water. After stirring for 1 hour at 20°C, the free aqueous phase is removed by loading onto a G3 glass frit, the test material is centrifuged together with the glass frit at 2000g for 15 minutes. Determine the amount of centrifuged liquid and the weight of the sample. Water retention (WRR) is calculated using the following formula

The volume of hydration can be determined by mixing the obtained decompressed cellulose-based fibers (e.g. 100 g with 100 wt.% water content) for 3 minutes using an intensive mixer in an aqueous phase with neutral pH and a volume ratio to the mass of solids of the fibers >1000 :1, after which it becomes possible to pass the unbound aqueous phase through a sieve with a mesh size of 50 μm. After 1 hour, determine the volume of pulp based on cellulose. Then carry out mechanical dehydration, and then drying to a residual moisture <10 wt.%. The volume is then determined and volume ratios calculated.

Similarly, the oil-holding capacity can be determined with a liquid lipid phase, such as, for example, paraffin oil.

Protein solubility in water (NSI) is determined according to the AOCS 1990 standard method (Daun and DeClercq, 1994).

Areas of use

In principle, the method is applicable to any herbal products. It is used in particular for leaching, softening or separating plant casing materials, as well as for their partial or complete dissolution or decomposition.

This method is also suitable for softening or dissolving the separated vegetable casing material. For this, the skins of, for example, potatoes, apples, pumpkins, and also the husks or seed nest material, for example, sunflower or wheat seeds, or apples or pears, are particularly preferred. Also preferred is a process in which vegetable casing materials such as skins, rinds, husks, chaff have been separately separated by the method according to the invention or by another method and further processed by one of the methods according to the invention.

The process is therefore particularly well suited for separating the vegetable shells of seeds and kernels, in particular when they are in compacted form. Thus, the method is particularly well suited for separating or softening skins, shells or shells, for example dried nuts such as walnuts or hazelnuts, almonds, beans such as soybeans or beans, kernels such as apple, orange or grape seeds, or seeds of avocado or jatropha, leguminous, like rice, corn or peas and beans, also from dried seeds and kernels, like rapeseed, sunflower, wheat, rye, oats, lupins, linseed camelina.

The implementation of the methods according to the invention allows to obtain various preferred products. So, for example, you can get skinned grains and kernels that have been cooked under very mild conditions. By not raising the temperature during the peeling process, it is possible to obtain grains as well as cores without changing the integrity of their components. In particular, there is no formation of trans fatty acids or thermal reaction products. In one embodiment, grains and kernels, as well as other starting materials, are obtained that are enriched in amino acids and/or peptides. In a further embodiment of the method, due to this or some other functionalization, an increase in the resistance to oxidation of plant products is achieved.

In further preferred embodiments, disintegrated shell materials can be obtained which can be used in foodstuffs, for example as a separating layer or as a thickener in a taste-neutral form. These highly formable and suitable for food texturing casing/fiber condensates have excellent swelling and moisture-binding capacity and thus contribute to the preservation of food freshness.

In the following embodiments, pure fractions of components are recovered from the shell materials, which have not been available until now and which have excellent properties that can be used in many areas of life.

For the lignin-based casing components, an excellent water-retaining capacity has been found. Therefore, one preferred application is their addition to land/soil to improve the water-binding capacity, in particular of cultivated soils. As a result, lignin-rich shell fractions are obtained, which, due to their high water-binding capacity, biodegradability and biocompatibility, can be used to improve soil quality, in particular in the field of industrial crops. In addition, lignin-rich shell components are useful for adsorption and/or storage/transport of lipid phases. Thus, they can be used to absorb/remove oil. In addition, they are applicable for the preparation of animal feed. Of particular value are the lignin-based casing fractions, which, as a result of the disintegration process, acquire an abrasive effect and can thus be used for the treatment/cleaning of scratch-sensitive surfaces. In this regard, a biogenic and biodegradable abrasive cleaner can be provided.

The cellulose-based fibers obtained in accordance with the invention can in principle be used in all spheres of life, as well as in industrial and technological processes.

The cellulose-based fibers which have been produced and recovered by the process according to the invention are particularly well suited for use in human nutrition. In particular, they are suitable as a dietary supplement for the preparation of low-calorie meals. In addition, cellulose-based fibers are suitable for weight loss through diet, moreover, as a substitute or reduction in the content of soluble carbohydrates such as pectins or starch in foods. In addition, as a substitute or to reduce the content of oils or fats in foods. Cellulose-based fibers are suitable for regulating bowel activity and changing/softening stool consistency. In addition, they can be used as a dietary remedy for constipation. Likewise, cellulose-based fibers can be used in animals for stool control and weight loss through diet. In addition, cellulose-based fibers are suitable for thickening and stabilizing liquid or flowable foods and dishes. Cellulose-based fibers increase the water-binding and water-holding capacity of food products. As a result, cellulose-based fibers are also suitable for holding food or dishes longer in moisture, or for keeping them fresh and reducing the risk of drying out. In addition, cellulose-based fibers can be used to introduce substances/compounds or microorganisms into food and dishes and/or to stabilize them there. This makes it possible, for example, to stabilize/distribute labile compounds such as vitamins or antioxidants in food products. Moreover, it is also possible to introduce into food products micro-organisms having an increased metabolic activity, such as, for example, yeasts or lactic acid leaching bacteria. These properties of cellulose-based fibers can also be used for the cultivation of algae or other microorganisms, which are used to produce substances/compounds or gases with increased efficiency. The cellulose-based fibers obtained according to the invention are particularly suitable for the preparation of lotions/creams/ointments or pastes for use on the skin or mucous membranes. In doing so, they provide improved water retention on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes, as well as improved emulsibility of hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds, as well as the possibility of introducing compounds such as antioxidants or sunscreen compounds, and lead to improved smoothness of the skin and mucosal areas. In addition, cellulose-based fibers are very well suited as a lubricant for foods that are cooked at high temperatures with direct or indirect heat, such as fried, baked, grilled or deep-fried foods. Thus, cellulose-based fibers are suitable as a lubricant or as a substitute for breadcrumbs/crackers, for example in the preparation of meat or fish and meat or fish products, potato or dough dishes. In addition, cellulose-based fibers are suitable for preparing or extending the shelf life of other foods or food ingredients. This is the case in particular when obtaining protein products, such as protein concentrates or isolates. However, with the cellulose-based fibers according to the invention it is also possible to prepare and/or compose and/or store dishes with oils/fats and/or soluble or complex-bound carbohydrates or odorous and flavoring substances. In addition, cellulose-based fibers are suitable for providing a long-lasting moisture sensation on mucous membranes. Therefore, cellulose-based fibers are particularly well suited for the treatment of dryness of the oral mucosa. In addition, cellulose-based fibers are useful in reducing odors, in particular they are useful in reducing or preventing bad breath.

In addition, proteins can be provided in a very pure form for human and animal nutrition. The resulting protein fractions are suitable in particular for food preparation and use, for example, in meat and sausage products, baking mixes, creams and drinks, as well as for feeding infants or as tube feeding. It is preferable to obtain and use protein fractions as a hypoallergenic concentrate or protein isolate.

It is preferable to obtain products that do not contain GMOs, which I receive from plant raw materials that do not contain GMOs.

Examples

The content of crude protein in the samples was determined according to LMBG §3 5L 03.00–27, through the determination of nitrogen according to the Dumas method. A factor of 6.25 was used to convert nitrogen content to protein content in the samples. Nitrogen determination was carried out with a Leco FP-528 system.

The water-binding capacity (WBC) of the solids fractions was determined at room temperature. In a centrifuge tube, 2 g of the sample was weighed with an error of 0.01 g and mixed with 40 ml of demineralized water for one minute with a test tube shaker. After 5 minutes and after 10 minutes, the mixture was vigorously stirred for 30 seconds using a tube shaker. Then centrifuged at 1000*g at 20°C for 15 min. The supernatant was decanted. The centrifuge tube was weighed again. The weight of the sample saturated with water was determined.

The oil-binding capacity of the solids fractions was determined at room temperature. 3 g of the sample was weighed into a 25 ml graduated centrifuge tube and suspended in 20 ml of oil (commercially available corn germ oil). Then centrifuged for 15 min at 700*g. The volume of unbound oil was determined. Oil binding capacity is given in ml of oil per g of sample.

The C.V. method was used to determine protein solubility at a specific pH. Morr. 1 g of the sample was weighed into a 100 ml beaker. 40 ml of 0.1 mol/l sodium chloride solution with defoamer were added with stirring. The desired pH was adjusted with 0.1 mol/l hydrochloric acid or 0.1 mol/l sodium hydroxide solution. The mixture was transferred into a 50 ml volumetric flask and filled up to volume with a 0.1 mol/L sodium chloride solution. 20 ml of the solution was pipetted into a centrifuge tube and centrifuged for 15 min at 20,000*g. The resulting supernatant was filtered through a Whatman No. 1 filter. Nitrogen was determined in the filtered supernatant by the Dumas method (Leco FP 521 system).

Unless otherwise indicated, all studies were carried out under normal pressure (101.3 Pa) and room temperature (25°C) conditions.

Example 1

Investigation of the disintegration of plant hulls and peels

For the study, the following starting materials were used: 1) soybeans, 2) beans, 3) almonds, 4) walnuts. The materials were without outer shell (3) and 4)), and also in dry form. 200 mg of each material was placed in vessels containing an aqueous solution without (a) or with the following substances dissolved in it: b) sodium hydroxide solution 0.1 mol/l, c) arginine 0.3 mol/l, d) SDS 1 wt%, e) lysine 300 mmol/l, f) histidine and glycine 300 mmol/l, g) RDG 0.3 mol/l. Every 10 minutes, individual beans/nuts were taken from the mixtures for analysis. The maximum duration of exposure was 4 hours. The beans and nuts selected from the solution were examined directly under an optical microscope for perforation/dissolution of the shell material. In addition, the peelability of the shell material was studied by tangentially directed pressure on the shell material by hand, as well as by a centered water jet created at a pressure of 3 bar. Another part of the beans and nuts was placed in a water bath at 25°C. In each case, it was recorded whether and to what extent it was possible to separate the shell material partially or completely, or whether it separated spontaneously. In addition, the consistency of the cleaned separated casing material was examined.

results

The shells of beans or nuts had a clearly visible swelling already a few minutes after immersion in aqueous solutions of test series c), e), f) and g), which increased with time, while for pure water or in test series b) and d) swelling could only be recognized after 40, respectively 20 minutes. The apparent swelling was related to the ability of the shell material to move across the surface of the beans/nuts.

During microscopic analysis of the shell material, it was found that as a result of immersion of the raw material in aqueous solutions of series of experiments c), e), f) and g) in the region of the embryo, decomposition of the shell material, starting from the surface, occurred, which had a circular (1) or longitudinal (2 +3) directivity/shape according to the type of seam, while in other solutions this effect could not be detected. Over time, regular perforation of the shell material occurred in this area, exposing the bean/walnut, as a result of which the same geometric shapes of the shell materials were separated. Exposure in test series b) resulted in darkening of the shell material and/or exposed parent material.

When immersed in clean water during the study, none of the materials spontaneously peeled off the shell material. By means of tangential force action, by the end of the study, only small fragments were separated. In a series of experiments b) and d) it was possible to notice a spontaneous and partial separation of the shell material after 380 or 400 minutes. With the help of tangential force, it was possible to achieve partial peeling of the shell material in experiments 1) and 3) after 180, respectively 240 minutes, and in experiments 2) and 4) after 280, respectively 360 minutes. Complete exfoliation was not possible. For materials that were introduced into solutions c), e), f) and g), spontaneous separation of the shell material occurred after 30–100 minutes. For all preparations of series c), e), f) and g), complete spontaneous peeling was achieved after 110-180 minutes. In these preparations, partial peeling by means of tangential pressure was already possible after 10–20 minutes, and complete peeling after 20–40 minutes. The shell material that was obtained in the series of experiments b) and d) was low elastic, regardless of the duration of exposure. The exfoliated shell material in the series of experiments c), e), f) and g) became soft and flexible, starting with an exposure time of 20–40 minutes, and planar compression was possible without rupture of the shell material.

Example 2

Studies on the disintegration of shell material and the separation of shells and nuclei

For research, a) soybeans, b) beans, and c) lentils were used, which were in the form of a dried starting product. In a series of studies, aqueous solutions were used that 1) did not contain substances or contained: 2) NaOH 0.5 wt.%, 3) sodium carbonate 1 wt.%, 4) arginine 0.3 mol/l or 5) lysine-isoleucine +DMSO 0.3 mol/l. In a series of experiments A) 100 g of each starting material was completely immersed in solutions and the time point of visible germination of the embryos was established by analyzing the ongoing continuous video recording, and the time until the length of the seedling reached 5 mm was also established. The duration of the experiment was limited to 72 hours. In a series of experiments B) 500 g of raw materials were placed in water for the entire duration of the experiment, which led to the growth of embryos by 5 mm, then from there portions of 100 g were added to the studied aqueous solutions 1)–5). Here they were stored for a time which, according to the experiments in example 1, provided spontaneous perforation of the shell material, with easy and complete separability of the shell material. At this time, half of the test material was taken and introduced into the loading device, which ensured the passage of compressed air through a silicone tube. The frequencies of complete separation of the germ and shell material were studied. A series of experiments C) was carried out with the raw materials for a series of experiments B) in the solutions for research until a total residence time in the solutions for research was reached 48 hours. During this period, video recording was carried out to detect a further increase in the size of the sprouts. At the end of the study, similarly to the series of experiments B), the separation of the shell and shoots was carried out using a capping device. The completeness of the separation of the shell material and the seedlings and the length of the seedlings were studied, which were compared with the results for a series of experiments B). In addition, the separated shell materials were homogenized in a water bath using a shear mixer (Ultra Thurrax, T18, 20.00 rpm, 30 sec) and then the resulting suspensions were tasted.

results

After introduction into the water, in the corresponding source materials, the germination of embryos occurred relatively simultaneously with a uniform growth of seedlings. When introduced into solutions 2) and 3), a delay of 12 or 18 hours was observed compared with the introduction into pure water, and for solution 5) by 30 hours. In the case of solution 4), no (b) and c)) occurred during the indicated time, or a very low growth, <5 mm, was observed. In a series of experiments B), further growth of nuclei occurred in the raw material, which, when kept in solutions 4) and 5), was strongly slowed down until it stopped. The complete removal of the shell material, as well as the removal of embryos, was 36% and 28% for beans and lentils after introduction into solutions 2) or 3). For drugs that were introduced into solutions 4) and 5), this was possible by 92% and 90%. For the preparations from the series of experiments C) a slight increase was observed when introduced into solutions 2) and 3), while for the preparations introduced into solutions 4) and 5), no growth was observed. The tasting of suspensions showed an unpleasant soapy taste in the case of introduction into solutions 2) and 3), while when introducing raw materials into solutions 4) and 5), the suspensions had practically no taste.

Example 3

Research on the disintegration of water-containing raw materials and the separability of components

For the study, the following initial materials were used: 1. pumpkin variety Nut gray, 2. quince and 3. celery. The materials were well purified, divided into 4 or 8 parts and introduced into the following aqueous solutions: a) lysine 0.1 mol/l + urea 1 wt%, b) polyarginine 0.1 mol/l + SDS, c) arginine 0, 1 mol/l, d) histidine-isoleucine 0.1 mol/l+sodium sulfite 1 wt%. As a control, an experiment was carried out with pure water under otherwise equal conditions. The solutions were heated for 1 hour at 90°C, then the introduced pieces of material were removed and left to cool. The removability of the outer shell layer was then examined. It was assessed whether the shell material could be removed easily, with small attachments of mesosperm and large pieces by hand. In addition, the separability of the deshelled material was investigated by adding it to a vessel with water in a weight ratio of 1:10. Distribution was then carried out with a shear mixer (Silverson, L5M, UK; 35 mm/8000 rpm) for 30 seconds. After that, the suspensions were freed from the unbound aqueous phase using a vacuum suction filter. The pasty material was mixed with pure water in a 2:1 volume ratio, passed through a sieve with a mesh size of 0.8 mm and again freed from the unbound aqueous phase. Immediately afterwards, a sensory evaluation was carried out by 4 experts. The presence of smell and taste, as well as organoleptic sensations in the mouth and when swallowing, were evaluated.

results

In control experiments, it was either not possible to separate the outer shell layer (preparation 3), or only in small pieces (in particular, preparation 2), as well as with noticeable adherence of mesosperm. In the case of preparations that were disintegrated in solutions a)-d), the outer layers of the coating were separated easily (b) and d)) or very easily (a) and c)). Correspondingly, connected pieces of medium size or large ones were separated and without mesosperm attachment. The deshelled control sample could not be completely ground, so that the residue on the sieve contained a large number of small cohesive aggregates. The preparations disintegrated in solutions a)–d) were in the form of a mousse-like suspension, which passed through the sieve almost without residue. When organoleptically assessed, the pastes obtained with control samples had an intense smell and taste typical of the variety. In addition, the taste sensations were dull (2.) or grainy (especially preparation 3.). In the samples that were obtained by disintegration with solutions a) - d), there was no or almost no odor or taste characteristic of the variety. In all cases, the mouthfeel was pleasant and qualified as "mild" and "creamy". The presence of particles was not felt.

Example 4

Study of the disintegration and leaching of plant material of the shell and peel

The following starting materials were used: 1. soybean meal after extraction with hexane, 2. corn meal, 3. apple pomace, 4. grape seed meal. 300 g of the material was introduced into vessels with a) pure water and the following aqueous solutions: b) histidine-valine-leucine 0.2 mol/l + sodium sulfite 1 wt.%, c) arginine 0.1 mol/l, d) lysine 0.3 mol/l + sodium bisulfite 0.5% by weight e) sodium sulfite 0.5% by weight + sodium carbonate 0.1% by weight, in a weight ratio (solid:aqueous phase) 1:10. The vessels were autoclaved at 125° C. and 1.2 bar for 5, 15 and 30 minutes. After cooling, all slurries were homogenized using a shear mixer (Silverson, L5M, UK; 35 mm/8000 rpm) for 90 seconds. Then wet screening was carried out using an analytical device with a vibrating sieve with a mesh size of 500 μm, 250 μm, 100 μm and 50 μm. On samples of sieve fractions, the residual moisture content was determined, and the dry weights of individual sieve fractions were calculated from it. In addition, samples were taken for microscopic analysis. Samples were analyzed for distinct shell/skin structures and relative abundance relative to other fibrous structures. In addition, a chemical analysis was carried out for the content of soluble carbohydrates and proteins. An aqueous solution containing 10 wt. % citric acid and 10 wt. 5.4. After a single stirring was left alone for 2 hours. Then the supernatant phase (if any), which was settled or slightly turbid, was decanted, and the sediment phase was passed onto the filter bed. After 10 hours, the dehydrated mass was removed from the filter and subjected to chemical analysis for protein and carbohydrate content. In addition, tasting of these fractions was carried out. In addition, an organoleptic examination was carried out in accordance with example 3 of the fibrous mass of the individual sieve fractions after washing and removal of the free wave phase using a sieve press.

results

With exclusively thermal disintegration in the water bath after homogenization, there are predominantly particles of large diameter, for which the duration of the thermal effect has little effect. In contrast, the particles obtained as a result of disintegration in solutions b)–e) were significantly finer even after a short heating time. According to microscopic analysis, after exclusively thermal disintegration (a)) at any time and in all sieve fractions, fragments of the shell or peel are present. In contrast, with a short duration of exposure to solutions b)–e), fragments of the shell or peel are present in a small proportion only in sieve fractions with a size of >250 μm, and with a longer duration of exposure, they are not observed at all. Whereas in the mass of purely thermal disintegration particles, soluble carbohydrates and proteins, which were originally present in the raw material, still dominated, in the particle fractions after leaching with solutions b)–e), only an insignificant or minimal amount of soluble compounds was found. Accordingly, practically no proteins or carbohydrates could be recovered from the aqueous filtrate after purely thermal degradation by the aggregation inducing/initiating agent. In contrast, using aggregation and dehydrogenation processes, it was possible to extract the theoretical calculated amount of proteins from the leaching solution filtrate phases b) to e), which was determined from the quantitative analysis of the raw materials, minus the amount of proteins that were established in the particles. The protein/carbohydrate fractions that were obtained after leaching with solutions b)–e) were practically odorless and tasteless. While the fibers obtained by purely thermal leaching were still predominantly hard and were judged to be fibrous on tasting, the fractions of fibers that were obtained by disintegration with solutions b)-e) were classified from soft to very soft, tender and creamy. . Microscopic analysis of the residues on the sieve after disintegration and leaching with solutions b) to e) showed that the particles are large fibrous structures, which, upon further analysis, are fibers based on cellulose.

Example 5

Study of leaching and separability of lignin-rich casing components and cellulose-based fibers

Jatropha (JPK) and rapeseed (RPK) seed cake was subjected to a water leaching process. In this case, proteins and carbohydrates were separated with one aqueous solution, and the aqueous fraction was removed from the solids using a chamber filter press. The residue had a residual moisture content of 40% by weight and an intense and unpleasant plant-like odor (therefore no tasting). To leach the filter residue in the following experiments, 100 g of crumbling residue was used, which was added to the following solutions and continuously stirred for 4 hours: 1. lysine 0.3 mol/l, 2. polyarginine + glutamine 0.2 mol/l, 3 histidine + RDG 0.2 mol/l, 4. NaOH 0.5N, 5. water. Then the solids were separated using a filter and washed twice with water on the filter. After that, the samples were dispersed in 2 liters of tap water (LW) using a shear mixer for 60 seconds. The mixed slurry, after passing through a 500 µm pre-screen, was pumped into a hydrocyclone (Akavortex, AKW, Germany) at a pressure drop of 1 bar. The bottom fraction was collected, mixed with tap water in a ratio of 1:5 and fed back into the hydrocyclone. The upper fraction from both separation processes on a vibrating sieve with a mesh size of 100 μm was purified from suspended solids to obtain sieve residue 1 (SR–1). The bottom fraction was separated from the free aqueous phase and the finest particles using a 200 µm vibrating sieve to obtain sieve residue 2 (SR-2). The lignin-rich sheath mass (SR2) as well as the cellulose-based fiber sample (SR1) were spread on a fine sieve and dried with heated air. The remaining mass of cellulose-based fibers was stored in a refrigerator for further studies after squeezing out bound water. Then samples were taken for microscopic and chemical analysis. Dry SR2 was separated by rolls. Samples were taken for examination under a microscope, as well as for chemical analysis of the composition of the particles. To assess the water-binding capacity, 100 g of the sample was introduced into a beaker with a narrow bottom, which had a side drain at the bottom. Water was added dropwise on top of the skin material until water began to come out of the drain. The weight ratio between the amount of solids and added water was calculated. The same experiment was carried out, but using not water, but lighting kerosene, and the oil-binding capacity was calculated. The SR1 sample was suspended in deionized water at a 1:10 volume ratio for 3 minutes by agitation and then the cellulose fibers contained therein were sized using a FiberLab FS 300 (Valmet). The resulting fractions were examined under an optical microscope for deposits of organic components (eg proteins), as well as the presence of agglomerates and sintering of fibrous components, as well as other ingredients of plant materials.

results

The filter cake containing the solids that were obtained at the end of the aqueous leaching process could, after disintegration with leaching solutions 1)–3), be easily resuspended in water and hydrated, which could be recognized by the rapid spontaneous separation of the lignin-rich shell components from the fibers based cellulose, the former being rapidly deposited, while the cellulose-based fibers had a slow settling rate. This behavior was absent in the distributed fibrous fractions that were treated with solutions 4) and 5). By means of a hydrocyclone, for samples that have been treated with solutions 1)–3), in the first separation, achieve a clear separation between cellulose-based fibers and lignin-based casing components of about 80% for the upper fraction and about 70% for the lower fraction. The result of separation after two separations of individual solids for both fractions was >95%. For samples that were treated with solutions 4) and 5), such separation was impossible or incomplete (grade purity <60%). At the microscopic level, there are no deposits of organic components on the obtained preparations of solids for samples that were treated with leaching solutions 1)-3), while other samples had significant deposits of organic materials, sometimes in the form of large aggregates. For preparations treated with leaching solutions 1)–3), the water-binding capacity of the dry lignin-rich shell is from 250 to 300 wt.% and the oil-binding capacity is from 280 to 320 wt.%. The respective water and oil binding capacity of the fractions that were treated with solutions 4) and 5) were < 150 wt.% and < 120 wt.%, respectively. For dry fibers based on cellulose, which were obtained with leaching solutions 1)-3), the water-binding capacity was from 290 to 340 wt.%, and the oil-binding capacity was from 220 to 310 wt.%. For fractions obtained from the process with solutions 4) and 5), the corresponding values were <100 wt.% or <80 wt.%.

Chemical analysis of the shell fractions that were obtained with leaching solutions 1)–3) gave a lignin content of 52 to 73 wt%.

It turned out that the volumetric dimensions of cellulose-based fibers, which, after being obtained in the disintegration process, were resuspended, were noticeably larger (+158 - +340 vol.%) for cellulose-based fibers that were treated with leaching solutions 1)–3) than observed after treatment with solutions 4) and 5).

Chemical analysis showed that the content of proteins or soluble carbohydrates present in the cellulose-based fibers and in the lignin-rich shell components was <1 wt. >10 wt%. An organoleptic evaluation revealed the absence of odor and taste in fibrous components treated with leaching solutions 1)–3), while the rest of the preparations had an unpleasant taste and odor.

Example 6

Study of the conditions of leaching of vegetable raw materials

The following residues after pressing, which were in the form of granules, and ground products, which were in the form of flour, with the indicated content of ingredients were studied: soybean meal (SPK): proteins 38 wt.%, carbohydrates 26 wt.%, fibers 21 wt.%, oil 11 wt.%, other 4 wt.%; rapeseed cake (RPK): proteins 35 wt.%, carbohydrates 21 wt.%, fibers 30 wt.%, oil 9 wt.%, other 5 wt.%; jatropha cake (JPK): proteins 32 wt.%, carbohydrates 22 wt.%, fibers 25 wt.%, oil 13 wt.%, other 8 wt.%; oat flour (HM): proteins 40 wt.%, carbohydrates 30 wt.%, fibers 18 wt.%, oil 8 wt.%, other 4 wt.%; lentil flour (LM): proteins 33 wt.%, carbohydrates 33 wt.%, fibers 25 wt.%, oil 6 wt.%, other 3 wt.%. First, the required duration of leaching was determined by dissolving 50 g of the initial products in flasks with 1000 ml of aqueous solutions: a) arginine 0.2 mol/l, b) histidine and lysine each 0.1 mol/l, c) polyarginine 0 .1 mol/l and glutamic acid 0.1 mol/l, d) NH ₄ 0.2 mol/l, e) KOH 0.2 mol/l, f) urea 0.3 mol/l, g) sodium carbonate 0.5 wt.%, h) sodium sulfite 0.2 wt.%, at a stirring speed of 50 rpm. In this case, it was determined by observation when no more visible solid aggregates would be observed in the resulting suspension. The appropriate suspension at this time was passed through a vibrating sieve with a mesh size of 100 μm and the filter residue was examined under a microscope, analogously to example 5. Then a test was carried out to determine the minimum volume required for complete impregnation and leaching of the starting products, in that in 100 g of product, starting from a weight ratio of 1:1, an increase of 50 ml of leaching solutions was added, with slow stirring for the time set in the preliminary experiment, required for complete leaching with the appropriate leaching solution. At the end of the minimum exposure time, samples were removed and centrifuged for 3 minutes at 3000 rpm. Sufficient volume was set to achieve complete swelling for the mass ratio between feedstock and leaching solution (P _ref ) at which only a minimal layer of free liquid was present as supernatant after centrifugation of the sample. 10 g of the mixture, in which the maximum achievable swelling was established with the minimum required volume of the corresponding mixture, was added to 90 ml of tap water, distributed by shaking and then passed through a vibrating sieve with a mesh size of 100 μm. The eluate was passed through a 10 µm fine mesh sieve. The filter residue was suspended in water and the dispersed structures contained therein were analyzed under a microscope after an identically carried out filtration (experimental procedure according to example 1). The residue on the sieve was dried when the experiment was repeated, and the amount of retained particles was determined. In the next study, 100 g of the mass of the P _ref mixture was mixed with 900 ml of water in a laminar mixer for 5 minutes. The suspension was then passed through a shaking sieve. The residue on a chamber filter press was freed from bound water and the residual moisture content was determined. The residue on the sieve was then suspended in a 0.5 mol/l NaOH solution and stirred for 1 hour. The suspension was again passed through a rocking sieve and the filter cake was dried in a chamber filter press.

results

Despite the significantly greater swelling volume that was present during leaching with solutions a)-c), g) and h), compared with solutions d)-f) (+160 - +260 wt.% compared to +80 - + 160 wt.%), the time required to reach it was significantly shorter (8-20 minutes compared to 40-300 minutes). In the residue on the sieve (mesh size 100 μm) after the distribution of the sample, the leached mixtures at the moment of maximum swelling in the distribution volume, which were obtained by leaching with solutions a)–c), g) and h), did not reveal any solid aggregates during microscopic analysis. substances that were practically free of adhering organic residues. On the contrary, in the sieve residue of the leached mixtures that were obtained with solutions d)–f), by the time ZP Qmax. numerous aggregates/conglomerates of solids were present, which were partially or completely surrounded by organic matter. In contrast to the sieve residue of the samples obtained with solutions a)–c), g) and h), in which decompacted large and expanded cellulose-based fibers are present, in this case only separated and slightly expanded fibers could be seen. On the microfilter (mesh size 10 μm) of the eluate after the previous filtration, practically no discrete structures were visible after leaching with solutions a)–c), g) and h), while in the case of eluates that were obtained by leaching with solutions d )–f), there were numerous solid particles, which partially led to blockage of the filter surface; these particles were predominantly cellulose based fibers which were heavily coated with organic compounds. The dry weight residue on the sieve after leaching and the distribution of soluble and dissolved components of the samples that were obtained by leaching with solutions d)–f), was significantly higher than that of the samples obtained by leaching with solutions a)–c), g) and h) (+130 to +350% by weight). As a result of leaching the sieve residue with alkali, in the case of the material that was obtained after leaching with solutions a)-c), g) and h), practically no more proteins were released, while in the sieve residue of the leached mixture after leaching with solutions d) –f) from 8 to 22 wt.% of proteins were isolated.

Example 7

Research on the use of lignin-based vegetable casings for oil binding

The lignin-rich husk fractions that were obtained in run 5 (jatropha (JS), rape (RS)) by leaching methods 1) - 3), as well as the lignin-rich hull fractions of jatropha and rapeseed, in which leaching was carried out with NaOH (NO), air dried and separated. The average value of the granulometric distribution was determined, as well as the bulk density.

A glass tube with a diameter of 10 mm, having a conical tip at the bottom, covered with an open-pore polypropylene fabric, was filled with dry shell material to a height of 20 cm. The weight of the injected shell mass was determined. For comparison, commercial oil absorbers (ÖAM1: Clean Sorb, BTW, Germany; ÖAM2: PEA SORB, Zorbit, Germany) are similarly placed into the same glass tubes. The filled tubes were placed vertically in a holder, with the tip immersed in a bath of sunflower oil and, in another experiment, oleic acid. Every 5 minutes, the height of the passage of the oil front was recorded, which could be clearly recognized by the change in color or by the reflection of the adsorbent. The experiments were completed after 2 h, and the height of the oil rise (Ö–StH 1) was determined, as well as the difference in the amount of the oil bath relative to the initial volume (ads. oil 1). Then, the entire contents of the vertical tube were gently blown into the beaker and weighed. After that, 100 ml of ethanol was added. The suspensions were stirred for 30 minutes with a magnetic stirrer without air access and heated to 60°C. Then the liquid phase was let out through a suction filter and the residue on the sieve was washed twice (ethanol/H2O) from the weight _of the shell or adsorbent, which were then dried at 60°C for 12 h. weight). Then the experiment was repeated with the obtained dry fractions, and again the height of oil rise (Ö–StH 2) and the volume of adsorbed oil (ads. oil 2) were determined.

Results (numerical results from Table 1)

Lignin-based vegetable casings prepared with the leaching solutions of the invention had, in contrast to the lignin-based casing components which were caustic cleaned, a very fast and high oil uptake rate which was also better than commercial oil scavengers. This applies both to the absorption capacity against gravity and to the total adsorbed volume. Purification of adsorbed oils by solvent was possible essentially completely in the case of lignin-based plant fractions, which were obtained with leaching solutions according to the invention, while in lignin-rich shell components obtained not in accordance with the invention, it was not possible to completely remove the adsorbed oil. Also with commercial products, the extraction of adsorbed oil was incomplete. In the new cycle with previously purified adsorbents, in the case of lignin-rich shell components, which were obtained with leaching solutions according to the invention, the rate and amount of absorbed oil were comparable to the values obtained in the previous experiment, while for the remaining purified preparations, the oil absorption capacity remained noticeably lower. than in the first cycle.

Table 1

Ö–StH1 (cm) ads. oil 1 (ml) weight difference Ö–StH2 (cm) ads. oil 2 (ml) JS 6.4 3.1 3.1 6.4 3.1 RS 5.8 2.9 2.8 5.7 2.8 SS 5.2 2.8 2.7 5.2 2.7 AS 5 2.6 2.6 5.2 2.6 JS–NO 2.3 1.1 0.5 0.8 0.4 RS–NO 1.2 0.9 0.4 0.5 0.2 OAM1 3.2 1.9 1.1 2.2 0.8 OAM2 3.6 2.2 1.6 2.6 1.2 Ö–StH1 – oil lift height, 1st cycle; ads. oil 1=amount of adsorbed oil, 1st cycle; weight difference=weight difference of absorbent before/after solvent extraction; Ö–StH2 – oil lift height, 2nd cycle; ads. oil 2=amount of adsorbed oil, 2nd cycle

Example 8

Investigation of the use of lignin-rich vegetable husks for the removal of oil from oil-containing aerosols

Lignin-rich jatropha plant hulls (JKP) from Example 5 prepared with leach solution a) Arginine 0.2 mol/l (JKPa) and d) NH ₄ 0.2 mol/l (JKPd) were distributed between 2 sieve plates size 10 ×10 cm with a filling height of 2 cm, and the sieve was fixed on the frame. The sieve frame was introduced into the air channel, hermetically sealed from the side. The compressed air source provided a constant air flow (70°C) through the filter with a volume flow of 50 m ³ /h. An ultrasonic atomizer was placed in the air flow, which evaporated the oil-in-water emulsion at a constant rate. The pressure formed under the filter was monitored using a pressure transducer. Above the sieve, air was released through an oil separator (contec), which ensured the retention of 99.5% of the oil from the air mixture. For comparison, in another experiment, a conventional air filter (LF), a steel mesh filter (SGF), a carbon filter (AKF) and a membrane filter (MF) were installed in the air duct. The experiments ended after 30 minutes, and 20 ml of oil was evaporated. After that, the membrane filter was removed and the difference in weight from the initial value was determined. The lignin-rich shell components were taken from the filter housing, suspended in a beaker in acetone, and the associated oil was extracted. The separated phases of acetone were evaporated and the residue was weighed. The degree of oil removal was calculated from the weight difference between the oil scavenger and the sprayed oil.

results

When using a membrane and a carbon filter, there was an increase in pressure in the inlet air channel (maximum pressure drop 35 or 52 mbar) due to an increase in the resistance of the air flow. With JKPd) the initial pressure was higher than in the experiments with lignin-rich shell components, which were obtained with the leaching solutions according to the invention (JKPa). In this case, during the experiment, there was also no increase in pressure in the supply channel, while in the case of the JKPd) preparation, the pressure increased slightly. The degree of oil separation with conventional air filters ranged from 48 to 62 wt.%. For the lignin-based casing components not prepared according to the invention, the oil separation was 55% by weight, and for the lignin-based casing components, which were prepared with the leaching solutions according to the invention, the oil separation was 98% by weight. From this fraction, 18.4 g of oil could be isolated by extraction, while only 5.2 g could be recovered from JKPd) preparation.

Example 9

Investigation of the ability to abrasive cleaning of the shell based on lignin

The shell fraction, which in example 5 was extracted from the rapeseed pulp digestion with leaching solutions 1) and 2), was treated in the next disintegration/leaching stage with the following solutions: 1. arginine 0.3 mol/l, 2) arginine 0.3 mol/l + urea 10 wt.%, 3) arginine 0.1 mol/l + NaSO ₃ 1 wt.%, 4) NaOH 0.5 N, 5) water. Compounds were completely dissolved in deionized water. 10 g of the shell fraction were suspended in 200 ml of the solution and stirred for 20 minutes. The suspensions were then autoclaved at 120° C. and 2 bar pressure for 11 minutes. Then it was washed abundantly with water through a sieve. After pressing, drying and separation were carried out. Samples were taken for analysis. The shell fractions were suspended in a non-ionic surfactant. 2 ml of the coated surfactant solution was placed on a glossy plastic containing various crusty materials such as egg white, sauces or pasta dough. A wooden pestle weighing 500 g was moved 30 times with an automatic pushing device coaxially to the surface of the synthetic film over the deposits. The surfaces were then rinsed. After drying, the residual level of contamination was assessed, as well as the presence of scratches or grooves.

results

Microscopic analysis showed that the lignin-based shell components obtained by methods 1-3 are in a completely separated form and have noticeably smaller surface dimensions than the lignin-based shell components obtained by methods 4 and 5. The shell components that were obtained by methods 1 –3 were predominantly round and had smooth outer contours. Shell fractions obtained by methods 4 and 5 had predominantly acute-angled and jagged outer contours.

Surfaces that were treated with lignin-rich shell fractions obtained by methods 1-3 achieved complete removal of dirt from the surface, while for the shell fractions that were obtained by methods 4 and 5, there were still residues of deposits. Surfaces that were treated with the lignin-rich shell obtained by method 1-3 showed no scratch marks. The surfaces treated with the shell fractions obtained by methods 4 and 5 had moderate to severe scratch marks.

Example 10

Research on the leaching method for the extraction of cellulose-based fibers

For 1 kg of A) rapeseed pulp, B) corn grits, C) whole soybeans, D) sugar beet chips after molasses extraction, the following experimental procedures were carried out: aqueous leaching by immersing materials A) and B) in a bath under leaching conditions: temperature a) 25°C and b) 60°C, over 60 minutes with continuous stirring, c) further, by thermal disintegration in an autoclave at 125°C of materials C) and D) introduced into the leaching solutions for 15 minutes. The following were used as leaching solutions: 1. water, 2. 0.1 N sodium hydroxide solution, 3. 30% sulfuric acid solution, 4. 0.3 mol/l arginine aqueous solution, 5. 0.3 mol lysine aqueous solution /l and glutamine 0.2 mol/l, 6. solution 1.5 wt. sodium bisulfite, 7. 0.5 wt% sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. Free liquid was then removed from each resulting mixture by centrifugation to obtain fixed-shaped masses. To separate the dissolved components of the mass was dissolved in 10 l of water and finely dispersed in the mixer for 10 minutes. Then the aqueous phase was separated by means of a vibrating sieve with a mesh size of 200 μm. Samples were taken from the obtained fractions for analysis. The droplet-free mass was weighed and then dried in an oven. The water-binding capacity was calculated from the weight difference between the wet and dry masses. Wet samples were analyzed under a microscope in relation to the structure of the fibers, as well as the degree of coverage/bonding with other organic components. The obtained dry material was examined for the content of soluble carbohydrates and proteins. The number of fibers (pieces) per gram of wet weight, maximum volumetric expansion, and shape factor were analyzed on a FiberLab FS300 fiber analyzer, Valmet.

results

Leaching of raw materials with water was not achieved. With an alkaline solution, partial leaching of raw materials A) and B) was possible at room temperature, but not with leaching solution 3. Significant leaching was achieved with leaching solution 2 at elevated temperature (A)b) and B)b)), as well as thermal disintegration (C) and D)). Leaching with a solution of sulfuric acid under the experimental conditions was impossible. With leaching solutions 4–7, complete leaching was achieved under all experimental conditions. At the microscopic level, it appeared that in the process, which did not achieve macroscopically complete leaching, there were solid particles and/or fibers that were partially surrounded by other organic compounds or components, as well as the presence of sintering with other fibers or organic compounds. Chemical analysis showed macroscopically incomplete leaching of soluble carbohydrates and proteins in the sieve residue. In the leaching experiments, which were carried out with leaching solutions 4–7, macroscopically complete separation of components that are not cellulose-based fibers occurred in all experiments (in addition, the filtrate solutions passed through a sieve with a mesh size of 20 μm without forming a residue). The volume of the droplet-free mass obtained by the leaching method with leaching solutions 4-7 was noticeably larger than the volume of the leached mass after the water or caustic leaching method was carried out. Accordingly, the water-binding capacity with this method was significantly lower (80-190 wt.%) than for decompressed cellulose-based fibers, which were obtained with leaching solutions 4-7 (680-850 wt.%). Accordingly, chemical analysis showed that in the resulting mass of fibers based on cellulose after the application of leaching solutions 4-7, the residual content of soluble carbohydrates is <1 wt.%, and proteins <0.5 wt.%. Other leach products had a content of soluble carbohydrates and proteins ranging from 15 to 37% by weight. Dried product aggregates with a residual content of soluble carbohydrates and proteins >1 wt.% were very hard and could not be fully hydrated. In contrast, the aggregates, which were obtained by leaching after drying with leaching solutions 4-7, were completely hydrated within 5 minutes. This can be achieved by grinding the powder, which swells rapidly in water and yields a soft pulp when re-introduced. Analysis of the size and number of fibers based on cellulose, which was carried out after the leaching process with leaching solutions 4-7, showed a wide and uniform distribution in the range from 20 µm to 600 µm with a number of fibers of 550-237 pieces/g, as well as a form factor from 2 .5:1 to 22:1. The weight per unit length ranged from 0.8 to 2.5 mg/100m.

Example 11

Investigation of a method for obtaining fibers based on cellulose by mechanical leaching

For experiments, 1 kg of the following starting materials were used: A) soybean meal, B) oatmeal, C) grape seed meal.

The following technological stages were carried out:

V1) grinding of the initial products to an average grain size of 100 µm. After that, air separation by means of a fine winnower (Netsch CFS 5);

V2) grinding of the initial products to an average grain size of 100 µm. After that, the addition of an aqueous solution in which the following compounds are dissolved: a) arginine 0.2 mol/l, b) histidine and lysine each 0.1 mol/l, c) polyarginine 0.1 mol/l and glutamic acid 0, 1 mol/l, d) NH ₄ 0.2 mol/l, e) KOH 0.2 mol/l, f) urea 0.3 mol/l, in a weight ratio of 1:1, so that the raw material is completely immersed in water solution for 4 hours. Then washing the entire reaction mixture of the inputs in a weight ratio of 1:10 using a rod stirrer. The suspension was passed through a sieve with a mesh size of 200 μm. The sieve cake was washed twice with an equal volume of aqueous phase, and then the sieve cake was rolled out on a porous polypropylene film to a layer thickness of 1 mm and dried. Then the dry mass was ground.

V3) Raw materials without further grinding were introduced into the following aqueous solutions: a) arginine 0.3 mol/l, b) polylysine 0.2 mol/l, c) polyglutamate 0.2 mol/l and histidine 0.4 mol/l, d) triethylamine 0.2 mol/l, e) NaOH, 0.2 mol/l, f) sodium carbonate 0.3 wt%. The volume of the added aqueous solution was chosen so that complete impregnation of the raw material was carried out. The mixtures were left alone for 24 hours. The mixtures were then mixed into water in a 1:10 volume ratio and stirred with a rod stirrer. After that, the suspension was passed through a sieve with a mesh size of 200 μm. The sieve cake was washed twice with an equal volume of the aqueous phase, and then the sieve cake was rolled out to a thickness of 1 mm on a porous polypropylene film and dried. Then the dry mass was ground.

Conducted a chemical analysis of each resulting dry mass for the content of soluble carbohydrates and proteins (similar to example 5). 50 g of the obtained powdery fibrous mass was dissolved in 500 ml of water at a temperature of 30°C with continuous stirring for 1 hour. 100 ml of the sampled solution was placed in a measuring cylinder with a narrow bottom, and the settling time was determined, during which the visible fibers would fall below the 50 mm mark.

In addition, samples were taken for analysis of the size of the fibers (analysis in accordance with example 6). The rest of the suspension was thickened to reach a residual moisture content of 40–50 wt%. The obtained pasty masses were tasted by 4 qualified tasters. At the same time, the following properties were evaluated: own taste, granularity, taste sensation, sensations when swallowing.

results

The fiber fractions from the V1 leaching experiment still contained increased amounts of soluble carbohydrates (24–36 wt.%) and proteins (18–29 wt.%). The pulp from leaching tests V2 and V3, which was obtained under leaching conditions a) to c), had a residual content of soluble carbohydrates and proteins <0.5 wt%. When other compounds (d)–f)) were used for leaching, the obtained fibrous masses contained 12–22 wt.% soluble carbohydrates and 14–25 wt.% proteins. The fiber fractions that were obtained after the V1 leaching experiment were compacted and could only partially be hydrated in water; after pouring into a graduated cylinder, sedimentation occurred very quickly. The powdered fiber fractions that were obtained from the V2 leach run under leaching conditions d)-f) were partially hydrated, while the powdered fibers from the V3 leach run that were subjected to leach conditions d)-f) were substantially unhydrated. The determined sedimentation time was 15–25 minutes in run V2 and 4–10 minutes in run V3 for the leach products that were obtained under these leaching conditions. In contrast, complete hydration of the powdered material was recorded from leaching tests V2 and V3, which were run under leaching conditions a)-c). The dissolved cellulose-based fibers of these leached fractions showed a very low sedimentation rate in the measuring cylinder, so that the dip of the dissolved cellulose-based fibers below the 50 mm mark took place only after 12-27 hours. The length of the fibers averaged from 150 to 300 µm, and the width from 11 to 19 µm. The fiber weight per unit length ranged from 1.2 to 5.1 mg/100m.

Tasting of the wet fibrous material from the V1 leaching test showed the presence of a large amount of odors and flavors, corresponding to the odors and flavors in the starting material. The fraction of fibers from leaching tests V2 and V3, which were carried out under leaching conditions d)-f), also showed, albeit to a lesser extent, the presence of the smell and taste of the feedstock. However, they were not edible due to the intense odor or taste of the compounds used in the leaching. In contrast, the fiber fractions from leaching tests V2 and V3, which were obtained under leaching conditions a) to c), contained no odor or flavor, so that their odor and taste were rated as neutral. In addition, the cellulose-based fibers that were obtained in tests V2 and V3 with leach solutions a) to c) had no graininess, had a pleasant taste sensation, and were also pleasant to swallow.

Example 12

Study of obtaining fibers based on cellulose from organic raw materials

The possibility of obtaining fibers based on cellulose with a residual content of proteins and/or carbohydrates <1 wt.% and not releasing odorous, flavoring or coloring substances into the aquatic environment was investigated on various pre-treated starting materials.

Series of experiments I. An organic pulp was used that was enriched with cellulose-based fibers after extraction of soluble proteins, starting from soy kernels and shelled beans. To prepare the core, respectively, the beans with the shell were mechanically crushed and kept for 4 or 8 hours in a solution of polyarginine and histidine, respectively, in a solution of lysine and polyglutamate. An organic mass with a solids content of 40 wt.% (TG), suspended in water in a volume ratio of 1:10 or 1:5, then intensive mixing was carried out, followed by filtration through a sieve with a mesh size of 100 μm. The sieve residue consisted predominantly of cellulose-based fibers, but large amounts of casing material were also present, as well as complex organic solids (starch grains). The fibrous mass was dissolved in water in a volume ratio of 1:10 using a pump and passed through a hydrocyclone (Akavortex, AKW, Germany). The supernatant was collected and filtered (mesh size 50 μm) with an arc sieve. The residue on the sieve was analyzed.

Series of experiments II. For the leaching process, thermally disintegrated plant material was used, in which the cellulose-based fibers are still combined into large aggregates. The starting materials in this case were quince, carrots, and celery, which were subjected to heat treatment in a water bath at temperatures from 90°C to 98°C for 1–3 hours and ground with a rod mixer to a homogeneous mass. According to the analysis, >2000 µm aggregates were retained in the amount of >15 wt%. In addition, there was a smell and taste peculiar to the species. The masses were dehydrated using a chamber filter press to a residual moisture content of 50–80 wt %. The obtained masses were suspended in a weight ratio of 1:5 in an aqueous solution containing a) arginine 0.3 mol/l, b) polylysine, urea 10%, c) arginine 0.1 mol/l+NaSO₃ 10% and the suspension was autoclaved for 8 and 16 minutes at 120°C. The leached product was filtered and washed twice with plenty of water. A sample was taken from the final sieve residue for analysis.

Series of experiments III. Dissolved mechanically disintegrated plant material with a high content of dyes. To do this, we used red beet puree, a fraction of fibers from the leaching of sunflower cake with an arginine solution, as well as a fraction of fibers from the water leaching of corn grits. The initial masses were first dehydrated to a residual moisture content of 40–70%. Then the mass was suspended in an aqueous solution containing a) polyarginine, urea 5%; b) lysine 0.3 mol/l, SDS 2%, histidine 0.3 mol/l; c) arginine 0.1 mol/l, DMSO 2%, in a weight ratio of 1:5 to 1:10 using a stir bar. In one series of experiments (T60) suspensions were stirred for 24 hours at 60°C, and in another series of experiments (T120) were autoclaved for 8 minutes at 120°C. The resulting suspensions were filtered and washed twice with plenty of water. A sample was taken from the final sieve residue for analysis.

The analysis performed included the determination of the size distribution of fibers based on cellulose, the content of proteins and soluble carbohydrates (in accordance with example 7), the study of the possibility of removing coloring substances (a study by introducing the investigated fraction into water and aqueous solutions of surfactants for 48 hours, followed by filtration and spectroscopic filtrate analysis), as well as organoleptic evaluation by 4 experts in accordance with the criteria from example 3.

results

Test Series I: Eddy current-separated decompressed cellulose-based fibers contained practically no visible or measurable residues of sheath material or aggregates of other raw material components, such as starch complexes. Further, it was possible to achieve a selection of high volume fibers that had a narrow range of diameters at a length that was <1000 µm for 98% of the fibers, and the diameter range was smaller or narrower than that of the fibers in the starting material.

Test Series II: Analysis of the fibers showed that the treatment resulted in a refinement of the cellulose-based fiber complexes and decompaction, in which the diameter range shifted noticeably to the left, and there were no particles with a diameter of >2000 μm at all, or they were present in an amount of <0. one%.

Test Series III: From the masses of decompressed cellulose-based fibers obtained for both Test Series T60 and T120, no more dyes could be separated with aqueous solutions.

The decompressed fibers based on cellulose obtained in the series of experiments I-III had a content of proteins and/or soluble carbohydrates <0.1 wt.%.

The organoleptic analysis of all obtained masses of fibers based on cellulose showed the neutrality of smell and taste. In addition, all formulations were found to be very soft to chew, provide a pleasant mouthfeel and no discomfort was experienced when the formulations were swallowed.

Example 13

Investigation of the industrial production of bakery products from/with cellulose-based fibers

Carried out large-scale production of the following finished products: A) chips, B) biscuits and C) gingerbread.

Obtaining confectionery mass:

A) 100 kg of decompressed fibers based on cellulose from soybean meal (obtained according to example 11 (with arginine solution)) with a residual moisture content of 70 wt.% were mixed with 3 kg of spice mixture on an automated kneading-churning machine for 2 hours until a homogeneous dough was obtained. The dough was pumped into the filling device with the help of a screw pump, with the help of which a certain amount of dough was dispensed into the forms of the device. After filling, the mold was vapor-tight closed with a counter-mould so that the dough was molded into 3 mm thick discs (5 cm diameter) in a mold that was closed on all sides. The entire mold matrix was then heated to 140° C. for 5 minutes. The chips that fell out when opening the molds were sent on a conveyor belt to an oven in which heating was carried out to 180°C for 2 minutes. The chilled chips were then packaged air and vapor tight under a nitrogen atmosphere without water access. 31 kg of chips were received. Visual, tactile and organoleptic analysis was carried out after a storage period of 2, 6 and 12 months. The appearance remained unchanged, as did the fracture characteristics and surface quality. The tasting texture at any time was rated as crispy and a pleasant mouthfeel was indicated. With increasing storage time, there was no change in taste properties.

B) 50 kg of decompacted cellulose-based corn fibers (preparation according to example 11, V2 b)) with <20 wt.% residual moisture under whipped mass, which consisted of 40 kg of egg white and 10 kg of yolk, and 35 kg powdered sugar and flavorings, which are gently beaten together, along with 200 g of sodium bicarbonate. The flowable dough was filled into 30 mm diameter baking pans to a height of 2 cm and baked at 180°C for 20 minutes. After cooling, the bottom crusts of the biscuit were removed and packaged air-tight and vapour-tight under a nitrogen atmosphere. Visual, tactile and organoleptic analysis was carried out after a storage period of 2, 6 and 12 months. The appearance remained unchanged, as did the fracture characteristics and surface quality. The tasting consistency was rated at all times as slightly crunchy and the mouthfeel as soft and smooth. With increasing storage time, there was no change in taste properties.

C) 50 kg of decompressed cellulose fibers from bean beans (prepared according to example 12 V1) with a residual moisture content of <25% by weight were mixed with 50 kg of grated almonds, 10 kg of chopped candied lemon and candied oranges and 500 g of bicarbonate sodium and a mixture of spices. The mixture was stirred with 60 kg of mass obtained from eggs and powdered sugar. After standing for 2 hours, the dough was divided into portions and rolled out on baking sheets to a height of 1 cm and baked at 180°C for 20 minutes. After cooling, the baked product was divided into pieces and packaged air-tight and vapour-tight under a nitrogen atmosphere. Visual, tactile and organoleptic analysis was carried out after a storage period of 2, 6 and 12 months. The appearance remained unchanged, as did the pressure resistance and surface quality. The tasting texture at any time was rated as soft-crunchy, and the mouthfeel was indicated as full. With increasing storage time, there was no change in appearance, pressure resistance or taste properties.

Example 14

50 kg of soybean extract meal in a mixer with a capacity of 70 l was impregnated with a 0.1 mol/l solution of arginine using a spray device and, after impregnation, left alone for 1 hour. Then 70 l of water was added, after which the mass was dehydrated using a filter press to a residual moisture content of 60 wt.%. The filter cake was suspended in 70 l of sodium sulfite solution 0.5 wt.% and the mixture was kept in an autoclave for 10 minutes at a temperature of 128°C and a pressure of 1.2 bar. The mixture was then dehydrated with a sieve press. The sieve cake was introduced into 200 L of process water phase and dispersed using a shear mixer (Silverson L5M-A with fine dispersing tool, 10,000 rpm) for 10 minutes. Then the suspension was filtered on a centrifugal mesh filter. The filter cake was recovered as an odorless and tasteless creamy mass and functionalized with a nanoemulsion solution and then dried on a belt dryer to dryness. The dried cellulose-based fibers, which were in the form of thin sheets, could be fully hydrated in water within 3 minutes, and were judged organoleptically as soft and creamy. The combined phases of the filtrate from all stages were combined with a solution of 20 wt.% citric acid, which was slowly stirred. After 6 hours, the precipitated phase was drained through the lower outlet of the tank and passed onto a belt filter with a mesh size of 80 μm, and the aggregated mass on it was dehydrated with continuous advancement of the belt. A creamy protein mass was obtained, which completely dissolved in water, and the resulting solution completely passed through a 10 μm sieve without residue. The protein mass had no smell and taste.

Claims (14)

1. The method of disintegration of plant materials with the following technological stages: a) provision of plant materials selected from seeds, grains, kernels, nuts, vegetables, fruits, flowers, fruit buds or roots, b) adding a disintegrating solution to the raw material and keeping it in the disintegrating solution until disintegration is achieved, where the disintegrating solution contains amino acids and/or peptides, c) distributing the components of the disintegrated raw material in a distribution volume to obtain solid components, including casing material, lignin-rich casings and cellulose-based fibers, and dissolved components, including vegetable raw materials proteins, d) separating said solid components from said dissolved components of the plant material, e) extraction of the separated components of plant material as a valuable fraction by e1) separating the cellulose-based fibers from the lignin-rich shell of the solid components of the plant material by means of the eddy current method and obtaining a purified fraction of the cellulose-based fibers as well as a lignin-rich shell, e2) aggregating/complexing the dissolved proteins of the dissolved components of the plant material with the help of a complexing agent and separating the precipitated aggregated/complex-bound condensed proteins to obtain an aggregated/complex-bound protein mass, where the technological stage b) is carried out together with thermal and/or mechanical disintegration, or thermal and/or mechanical disintegration is carried out in the technological stage b1) at the end of the technological stage b). 2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the product-friendly disintegration of the seed, grain or kernel coating material takes place. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein there is a slowdown/inhibition of the maturation of seeds and/or grains of plants. 4. Process according to claim 1, wherein casing materials and/or cellulose-based fibers and/or lignin-rich casings are obtained with little odor and/or taste. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plant material is the shell material of seeds, grains or plant nuclei. 6. Use of the lignin-rich casings of claim 1 as an abrasive and non-abrasive biogenic cleaner.