Crystalline fructose preparation

Description

Background of the inveniton

1. Field of the invention

[0001] This invention relates to a process for preparing crystalline fructose, in particular to a process for obtaining fructose in high yields with a high degree of purity.

2. Description of the art practices

[0002] Fructose may be viewed as one-half of a sucrose molecule with the other half being dextrose (glucose). Sucrose is, of course, known commonly as table sugar and is widely used as a sweetener and structurant in many products from cake mixes to soft drinks. It has been determined that the fructose portion of the sucrose molecule has greater sweetening power on an equal weight basis than sucrose or dextrose. Therefore, if fructose is substituted into formulations, the overall cost may be lowered when compared to using sucrose. The use of fructose provides a higher degree of sweetening at a given weight level than sucrose. Thus, fewer calories are present in a fructose-sweetened product at equal sweetening levels than when sucrose is used.

[0003] Several routes have been utilized to isolate and separate fructose as a crystalline component. For the most part, fructose is prepared by isomerizing dextrose which is obtained through the refining of corn syrup. The isomerization of dextrose is generally not a 100% conversion and therefore the fructose must be separated from the remaining saccharides, e.g. dextrose, and crystallized from the aqueous dispersion.

[0004] The separation of fructose from the syrup is complicated by the high degree of solubility of the fructose in water. Therefore, the separation of fructose at acceptable purity and yield from an aqueous syrup is yet to be accomplished in a practical manner.

[0005] U.S. Patent 3,607,392, issued September 21, 1971, to Lauer, describes a process and apparatus for obtaining crystalline fructose through the use of methanol. Methanol has limits on its usage in food products which is the major market for crystalline fructose in the first instance.

[0006] U.S. Patent 3,883,365, issued to Forsberg et al on May 13,1975, describes a separation of fructose from glucose within a narrowly constrained pH range by lowering the temperature of the reaction mixture. The disadvantage in this process is that it is not economical to refrigerate a syrup in a plant setting. That is, the syrup will be at least at an ambient temperature during processing and the mechanics of cooling require the substantial expenditure of energy.

[0007] Yamauchi U.S. Patent 3,928,062, issued December 23, 1975, discloses recovering fructose by seeding anhydrous fructose crystals into a supersaturated solution of fructose. U.S. Patent 4,371,402, issued February 1, 1983, to Kubota, describes the dehydration of fructose utilizing an organic solvent having azeotropic behavior with respect to water.

[0008] The teachings of Dwivedi et al in U.S. Patent 4,199,373, issued April 22, 1980, relate to anhydrous free-flowing crystalline fructose obtained by allowing a seeded syrup to stand at low temperature and high relative humidity. United States Patent 4,199,374, issued April 22, 1980 also to Dwivedi et al suggests seeding a syrup containing fructose and allowing it to stand followed by recovery of the fructose. U.S. Patent 3,513,023 to Kush, issued May 19, 1970, discloses the recovery of crystalline fructose over a broad pH range, through concentration and cooling, following seeding of the mixture.

[0009] It therefore remained effectively to separate fructose from an aqueous syrup in a high degree of purity and with a high yield.

[0010] It may be noted that EP-A-116389 (Tate & Lyle Plc), disclosures of which are prior art only by virtue of the provisions of Articles 54(3) EPC, describes a process for the preparation of solid fructose in which a high Brix fructose syrup is dispersed at very high shear within an alcoholic medium such as ethanol, isopropanol, methanol, methylated spirits an (ethanol/methanol/water mixture), or a mixture of isopropanol and methanol.

[0011] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a process that permits crystalline fructose to be obtained from an aqueous fructose mixture with good yield and purity.

[0012] Throughout the specification and claims, percentages, parts and ratios are by weight, temperatures are degrees Celsius, and pressures are in KPa over ambient unless otherwise indicated.

[0013] The present invention thus provides a process for preparing crystalline fructose from an aqueous fructose-containing dispersion by crystallization, characterized in that said process comprises the steps of:

(a) obtaining an aqueous dispersion containing on a dry solids basis at least 85% by weight fructose;

(b) adding to said aqueous dispersion ethanol and isopropanol in a respective weight ratio of from 80:20 to 98:2;

(c) mixing the aqueous dispersion and the alcohols until the weight ratio of the fructose to the alcohols is from 4:1 to 1:4;

(d) allowing crystallization to occur;

and, recovering the fructose.

[0014] The first component of the present invention is the aqueous dispersion (syrup) from which the fructose is to be crystallized. While the aqueous dispersion could consist essentially of fructose and water, it is more likely that other saccharides and various materials obtained in the processing of corn syrups will be present. Namely, dextrose is typically present at from 3% to 10% by weight in the syrup. The foregoing is stated as it may be desirable in some circumstances, where highly pure fructose is desired, that crystalline fructose be redissolved in water and recrystallized according to the present invention. In any event, the syrup is preferably from 88% to 97% by weight fructose and most preferably from 93% to 96% by weight fructose on a dry solids basis (dsb). The preferred fructose source is from corn syrup, however, any source of fructose such as from inulin or other sources such as cane or beet may be employed.

[0015] The conditions for the aqueous dispersion prior to the addition of the later described alcohols are such that the pH is conveniently from 3.0 to 5.0, preferably from 3.5 to 4.8. The temperature of the syrup and alcohol mixture prior to the crystallization step is conveniently from 40°C to 80°C, preferably from 50°C to 70°C.

[0016] The alcohols utilized herein are preferably obtained in their anhydrous state. This condition is imposed as any additional water in the system will decrease the yield of fructose due to its solubility in water. The alcohols used to obtain crystalline fructose are ethanol and isopropanol.

[0017] The weight ratio of the ethanol to the isopropanol is from 80:20 to 98:2, preferably from 85:15 to 97:3 and most preferably from 90:10 to 96:4.

[0018] It has been determined that within the foregoing ranges the mixture of ethanol and isopropanol gives a higher yield and purity of the fructose obtained when compared to either of the alcohols utilized alone. The alcohols may be added to the syrup separately or by premixing of the alcohols. The ethanol, as it is a regulated material, may be denatured with a suitable denaturant such as methanol. Methanol is conveniently used to denature ethanol at from 1% to 10%, particularly at 5% as in 3A alcohol. Thus ternary and higher mixtures of alcohols are contemplated herein.

[0019] The weight ratio of the fructose in the resultant aqueous dispersion to the alcohols is from 4:1 to 1:4; preferably from 3:1 to 1:3. The alcohol ratio to the fructose in the aqueous dispersion is important in that an insufficient amount of alcohol does not allow the fructose to be effectively separated.

[0020] The aqueous dispersion and the alcohols are preferably mixed as near to ideally as possible. The mixing conveniently is also continued during the crystallization step which is preferably induced by using a seeding material, conveniently a suitable food-grade seeding material. The preferred seeding material is crystalline fructose which may be initially obtained from a commercial source. Any other suitable sugar or saccharide may be employed. However, as the goal is to obtain a high fructose content with as high a degree of purity as possible, it is desirable to use pure fructose for the seeding. Of course, after the process is started, a portion of the product which has been crystallized as fructose may be recovered and utilized for further initiation of seeding.

[0021] The mixing of the aqueous dispersion as previously noted allows an intimate mixing of the alcohols thereby selectively extracting the fructose such that the solution structure of the water, fructose and alcohol molecules bring about favorable conditions for crystallization. Thus, when the seeding is initiated, crystallization of the dispersed fructose is extremely rapid. The use of two alcohols also reduces the viscosity of the syrup thereby facilitating mixing.

[0022] The present process may be run on a continuous basis by introducing a fresh feed stream into the mixing tank, seeding, and removing crystalline fructose slurry from the bottom of the tank. The crystallized fructose can then be drawn off, filtered, recovered as a semi-solid, and dried. Other suitable methods of recovering the fructose from the slurry can also be employed.

[0023] The present invention as described above allows for the recovery of crystalline fructose particles which average between 100 and 1,000; preferably 150 and 500 microns. Larger granules are also possible if desired. The product is of high purity when seeded with fructose and is generally suitable for all applications in which crystalline fructose is desired.

[0024] The present invention will now be further illustrated by means of the following non-limiting Examples:

Example I

[0025] Corn syrup containing 96.8% fructose on a dry solids basis is adjusted to a pH of 4.5 and evaporated under vacuum to a solids content 91.6% by weight. The remaining components in the mixture include dextrose and water.

[0026] The evaporated product in an amount of 208 parts is dissolved in 89.6 parts of an alcohol mixture which is 95:5 by weight ethanol to isopropanol. Both alcohols were essentially anhydrous prior to introduction into the system. The alcohol is added incrementally to the aqueous mixture. The resulting combination of the aqueous mixture and the alcohols is mixed vigorously at 55°C to obtain a clear solution.

[0027] 1.905 parts of crystalline fructose is then mixed with the solution and stirring continued while the mixture is cooled to 22°C over a period of 4 hours.

[0028] The seeded mixture is then filtered and washed with three separate, 24 part aliquots of the previously described alcohol mixture at 0°C. The fructose product so recovered is air-dried to obtain 147 parts of the product which is a white crystalline powder having a purity of 99.4% by weight.

[0029] Substantially similar results are obtained by varying the alcohol mixture used above within the ranges described above. The pH of the aqueous dispersion may be varied between about 3 and about 5 with substantially similar results.

Example II

[0030] Several comparative tests of various alcohols and alcohol mixtures are conducted according to the process described in Example 1. The results are reported in Table I below.

[0031] The tests conducted show the mixtures of isopropanol and ethanol are most effective in increasing the purity and yield of crystalline fructose.

Claims

1. A process for preparing crystalline fructose from an aqueous fructose-containing dispersion by crystallization, characterized in that said process comprises the steps of:

(a) obtaining, an aqueous dispersion containing on a dry solids basis at least 85% by weight fructose;

(b) adding to said aqueous dispersion ethanol and isopropanol in a respective weight ratio of from 80:20 to 98:2;

(c) mixing the aqueous dispersion and the alcohols until the weight ratio of the fructose to the alcohols is from 4:1 to 1:4;

(d) allowing crystallization to occur; and, recovering the fructose.

2. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein ethanol and isopropanol are used in a weight ratio relative to each other of from 85:15 to 97:3.

3. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein ethanol and isopropanol are used in a weight ratio relative to each other of from 90:10 to 96:4.

4. A process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein methanol is additionally added to said aqueous dispersion.

5. A process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the aqueous dispersion to which said alcohols are added contains from 5% to 15% water.

6. A process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the aqueous dispersion to which said alcohols are added contains from 88% to 97% by weight fructose on a dry solids basis.

7. A process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the aqueous dispersion also contains dextrose.

8. A process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the recovery of the crystalline fructose is enhanced by seeding the dispersion.

9. A process as claimed in claim 8 wherein the seeding is accomplished using a seeding material selected from saccharides and crystalline fructose.

10. A process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the quantity of alcohols added is such that the weight ratio of fructose to alcohols in the resultant mixture is from 3:1 to 1:3.

11. A process as claimed. in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein mixing is continued during crystallization.

12. A process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the temperature of the dispersion is maintained at from 40°C to 80°C prior to the crystallization.

13. A process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the pH of the aqueous dispersion is from 3.0 to 5.0.

Ansprüche

1. Verfahren zur Herstellung kristalliner Fruktose durch Kristallisation aus einer wässrigen, Fruktose enthaltenden Dispersion, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß es folgende Stufen umfaßt:

a) Herstellung einer wässrigen Dispersion, die mindestens 85 Gewichtsprozent Fruktose auf der Basis trockener fester Bestandteile enthält;

b) Zugabe von Äthanol und i-Propanol zur wässrigen Dispersion in einem Gewichtsverhältnis von 80:20 bis 98:2;

c) Mischen der wässrigen Dispersion und der Alkohole, bis das Gewichtsverhältnis der Fruktose zu den Alkoholen 4:1 bis 1:4 beträgt.

d) Kristallisieren lassen; und Gewinnung der Fruktose.

2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei Äthanol und i-Propanol in einem Gewichtsverhältnis von 85:15 bis 97:3 verwendet werden.

3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei Äthanol und i-Propanol in einem Gewichtsverhältnis von 90:10 bis 96:4 verwendet werden.

4. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei Methanol zusätzlich zur wässrigen Dispersion hinzugefügt wird.

5. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei die wässrige Dispersion, zu der die Alkohole gegeben werden, 5 bis 15% Wasser enthält.

6. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, wobei die wässrige Dispersion, zu der die Alkohole gegeben werden, 88 bis 97 Gewichtsprozent Fruktose auf der Basis trockener, fester Bestandteile enthält.

7. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, wobei die wässrige Dispersion auch Dextrose enthält.

8. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, wobei die Gewinnung kristalliner Fruktose durch Animpfen der Dispersion erleichtert wird.

9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 8, wobei das Animpfen mit Impfmaterial durchgeführt wird, welches aus Sacchariden und kristalliner Fruktose ausgewählt wird.

10. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, wobei die Menge der hinzugefügten Alkohole so groß ist, daß das Gewichtsverhältnis von Fruktose zu den Alkoholen in der entstehenden Mischung 3:1 bis 1:3 beträgt.

11. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, wobei der Mischvorgang während der Kristallisation fortgesetzt wird.

12. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11, wobei die Temperatur der Dispersion vor der Kristallisation zwischen 40°C und 80°C gehalten wird.

13. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 12, wobei der pH-Wert der wässrigen Dispersion zwischen 3.0 und 5,0 beträgt.

Revendications

1. Un procédé pour préparer du fructose cristallin à partir d'une dispersion aqueuse contenant du fructose par cristallisation, caractérisé en ce que ledit procédé comprend les étapes suivantes:

(a) on obtient une dispersion aqueuse contenant au moins 85% en poids de fructose, calculé en solides secs;

(b) on ajoute a ladite dispersion aqueuse de l'éthanol et de l'isopropanol dans des proportions pondérales respectives de 80:20 à 98:2;

(c) on mélange la dispersion aqueuse et les alcools jusqu'à ce que le rapport pondéral du fructose aux alcools soit de 4:1 à 1:4;

(d) on laisse se produire la cristallisation; et on récupère le fructose.

2. Un procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'éthanol et l'isopropanol sont utilisés dans un rapport pondéral l'un par rapport à l'autre de 85:15 à 97:3.

3. Un procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'éthanol et l'isopropanol sont utilisés dans un rapport pondéral l'un par rapport à l'autre de 90:10 à 96:4.

4. Un procédé selon l'une quelcoqnue des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel on ajoute encore du méthanol à ladite dispersion aqueuse.

5. Un procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel la dispersion aqueuse à laquelle on ajoute ces alcools contient de 5 à 15% d'eau.

6. Un procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel la dispersion aqueuse à laquelle on ajoute ces alcools contient de 88 à 97% en poids de fructose, calculé en solides secs.

7. Un procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel la dispersion aqueuse contient également du dextrose.

8. Un procédé selon l'une quelconque des revvendications 1 à 7, dans lequel la récupération du fructose cristallin est accentuée par ensemencement de la dispersion.

9. Un procédé selon la revendication 8, dans lequel l'ensemencement est effectué en utilisant une matière d'ensemencement choisie parmi les saccharides et le fructose cristallin.

10. Un procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, dans lequel la quantité d'alcools ajoutée est telle que le rapport pondéral du fructose aux alcools dans le mélange résultant soit de 3:1 à 1:3.

11. Un procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, dans lequel on continue à mélanger pendant la cristallisation.

12. Un procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11, dans lequel on maintient la température de la dispersion à 40-80⁰C avant la cristallisation.

13. Un procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 12, dans lequel le pH de la dispersion aqueuse est de 3,0 à 5,0.