Compound pectinase enzymes for coffee demucilage

 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The product is a blend of different activities, and the individual components of the product are respectively produced by submerged fermentation of selected microbial strains followed by purification and formulation. Based on mucilage composition of coffee cherries and field trials, the product is so carefully formulated as to efficiently remove the mucilage of depulped coffee cherries with improved yield and quality.

MECHANISM

Coffee mucilage consists of pectic substances, cellulose, and neutral noncellulosic polysaccharides. The present product contains all necessary activities to degrade coffee mucilage, such as polygalactronase, pectin lyase and cellulase. The efficient degradation of mucilage components results in quick solublization of mucilage into water phase, leading to efficient demucilage of coffee beans.

BENEFITS

l Higher bean yield from cherry due to much reduced fermentation time.

l Cleaner beans, more consistent bean quality, better cupping taste and faster drying of beans.

l Less molded bean, off-flavor and environmental load.

l More flexibility during peak season to process more cherries.

l Less use of water and labor.

REACTION PARAMETERS

CONDITION	RANGE
Activity Temperature	15 °C - 65 °C
Optimum Temperature	30 °C - 60 °C
Activity pH	2.5-6.0
Optimum pH	3.0 -4.0

PRODUCT STANDARD

The product complies with GB26687-2011.

No.	ITEMS		INDEX
1	Particle size (% <40 mesh) /(%)		≥80
2	Loss on drying/(%)		≤8.0
3	Lead/(mg/kg)		≤5.0
4	Arsenic/(mg/kg)		≤3.0
5	Total viable count/(CFU/g)		≤50000
6	Coliform Bacteria/(CFU/g)		≤30
7	Escherichia coli	(CFU/g)	<10
		(MPN/g)	≤3.0
8	Salmonella/(25g)		Not Detected

PRODUCT SPECIFICATION

Light yellow powder. Color may vary from batch to batch. Color intensity is not an indication of enzyme activity.

APPLICATION RECOMMENDATION

The recommended dosage is 80-150ppm based on coffee cherry weight. However, the dosage has to be optimized based on the maturity of cherry, temperature and expected demucilage time. It is better to begin the test with the smallest quantity. 

PERFORMANCE

Field trials were carried out in Yunnan, the major coffee producing area in China, to confirm the effects of enzymes on demucilage time, bean weight gain, bean quality and processing aspects. The results are summarized as follows: 

1.     Demucilage time reduction, weight gain and bean appearance  

Enzyme dosage*	Demucilage time	Weight of 1,000 beans	Appearance	Yield improvement
0 (control)	42hrs	169.4g	Yellow color	0
120ppm	5hrs	173.4g	Very clean and light color	1.65%
150ppm	2.5hrs	174.6g	Very clean and light color	3.1%

 *The dosage was calculated on basis of cherry weight

With the use of the enzymes, the demucilage time was drastically reduced from 42hrs by traditional means to as short as 2.5hrs. The reduction in demucilage time results in less solubilization of bean content into water, avoid basically uncontrolled microbial erosion and reduce respiration of coffee bean. They all together contribute to the weight gain of coffee beans. The exact weight gain based on the present trials is from 1.65% to 3.1%. The demucilage time reduction also brings a lot of advantages during peak season when piles of cherries are in a que waiting for processing due to limited capacity of fermentation trough. The fast turnover makes it fairy flexible to arrange coffee bean processing, avoiding uncontrolled cherry fermentation and deterioration of bean quality.   

2.     Cupping test

Cupping test results indicate an overall improvement of the beans with enzymes in tasting. 

3.     Drying and water consumption

The cleaner beans with enzymes lead to easier drying of the beans. The drying time saved due to enzymatic treatment was 1.5-2.5 days during December.

Since the beans treated with enzymes are much cleaner and easier to wash, it’s obvious that much less water and labor are needed during bean washing. It’s also an unambiguous finding that the waste water from enzymatic demucilage is much less viscous with higher pH and can be recycled if necessary, which means an obvious reduced environmental pollution and less water consumption. 

SAFETY AND HANDLING PRECAUTIONS

Enzyme preparations are proteins, which may induce sensitization and cause allergic type reactions in susceptible individuals. Prolonged contact may cause minor irritation for skin, eyes or nasal mucosa, so any direct contiguity with human body should be avoided. If irritation or allergic response for skin or eyes develops, consult a doctor.

WARNINGS

Kept sealed after use every time to avoid inactivation until its finish. 

PACKAGE AND STORAGE

Ø  Package： 1kg/bottle, 12 bottles/box.

Ø  Storage： Keep sealed in a dry and cool place and avoid direct sunlight. Slight sedimentation is acceptable since it will not impact performance of the product.

Ø  Shelf life: 12 months in a dry and cool place.