Method of producing saccharide preparations

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for the production of saccharide preparations, i.e., syrups, by saccharifying a liquefied starch solution, which method comprises a saccharification step during which step one or more enzymatic saccharification stages takes place, and the subsequent steps of one or more high temperature membrane separation steps, and recirculation of the saccharification enzyme, in which method the membrane separation steps are carried out as an integral part of the saccharification step. In another specific aspect, the invention provides a method of producing a saccharide preparation, which method comprises an enzymatic saccharification step, and the subsequent steps of one or more high temperature membrane separation steps and re-circulation of the saccharification enzyme.

1 - 91 . (canceled)  
     
     
         92 . A method of producing a trehalose syrup, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) subjecting a liquefied starch solution to saccharification, which comprises more than one enzymatic saccharification stage, in the presence of a MTSase    (b) subjecting the saccharification liquor from one of the saccharification stages to a microfiltration step;    (c) subjecting the permeate of the microfiltration step to an ultrafiltration step;    (d) re-circulating the retentate from the ultrafiltration step to a saccharification stage of step (a), wherein the content of trehalose in the reaction mixture in the saccharification stage equels the content of trehalose in the retentate, and    (e) recovering the permeate of the ultrafiltration step which comprises trehalose.    
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 92 , wherein the step a) is carried out in the presence of a MTHase.  
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 92 , wherein the liquefied starch solution has a DE between 10-20.  
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 92 , wherein the saccharification comprises between 16 and 64 enzymatic saccharification stages.  
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 92 , wherein the MTSase is derived from a strain of  Sulfolobus.    
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 92 , wherein the MTSase is derived from a strain of  Sulfolobus acidocaldarius.    
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein the MTHase is derived from a strain of  Sulfolobus.    
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein the MTSase is derived from a strain of  Sulfolobus acidocaldarius.    
     
     
         100 . A method of producing cyclodextrins, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) subjecting a liquefied starch solution to saccharification, which comprises more than one enzymatic saccharification stage, in the presence of a CGTase    (b) subjecting the saccharification liquor from one of the saccharification stages to a microfiltration step;    (c) subjecting the permeate of the microfiltration step to a ultrafiltration step;    (d) re-circulating the retentate from the ultrafiltration step to a saccharification stage of step (a), wherein the content of cyclodextrins in the reaction mixture in the saccharification stage equels the content of cyclodextrins in the retentate, and    (e) recovering the permeate of the ultrafiltration step which comprises cyclodextrins.    
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 100 , wherein the CGTAse is derived fro, the genus  Thermoanaerobacter  or the genus  Bacillus.