# US 12,215,367 B2 · Lactase enzymes with improved properties > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,215,367 B2 - Document ID: US12215367B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/986,618 - Filed: 2022-11-14 - Published: 2023-07-27 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2017-04-11 - Assignees: Kerry Group Services International Limited - Applicants: Kerry Group Services International Ltd - Inventors: Hans Raj; Pernille Smith; Thomas Eckhardt; Vojislav Vojinovic; Charlotte Elisabeth Grüner Schöller; Johannes Maarten van den Brink - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12215367B2 ## CPC - C07K 14/195: from bacteria - C12N 9/2471: {Beta-galactosidase (3.2.1.23), i.e. exo-(1-->4)-beta-D-galactanase} - A23L 29/06: {Enzymes} - C12Y 302/01023: Beta-galactosidase (3.2.1.23), i.e. exo-(1-->4)-beta-D-galactanase - C07K: PEPTIDES (peptides in foodstuffs A23; obtaining protein compositions for foodstuffs, working-up proteins for foodstuffs A23J; preparations for medicinal purposes A61K; peptides containing beta-lactam rings C07D; cyclic dipeptides not having in their molecule any other peptide link than those which form their ring, e.g. piperazine-2,5-diones, C07D; ergot alkaloids of the cyclic peptide type C07D519/02; macromolecular compounds having statistically distributed amino acid units in their molecules, i.e. when the preparation does not provide for a specific; but for a random sequence of the amino acid units, homopolyamides and block copolyamides derived from amino acids C08G69/00; macromolecular products derived from proteins C08H1/00; preparation of glue or gelatine C09H; single cell proteins, enzymes C12N; genetic engineering processes for obtaining peptides C12N15/00; compositions for measuring or testing processes involving enzymes C12Q; investigation or analysis of biological material G01N33/00) - C12N: MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA (microbiological testing media C12Q1/00) - A23L: FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF (preservation thereof A23B) - C12Y: ENZYMES ## Abstract Disclosed are peptides exhibiting betagalactosidase enzyme activity as well as dairy products comprising them and related methods for reducing the lactose content in compositions, such as dairy products. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A dairy product comprising a milk-based substrate and a peptide exhibiting beta-galactosidase enzyme activity, wherein the amino acid sequence of the peptide is selected from SEQ ID NO: 9, 10, 11, and 16, enzymatically active fragments thereof, and amino acid sequences having not more than 22 amino acid substitutions, additions or deletions relative to the amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 9, 10, 11, and 16, and enzymatically active fragments thereof. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method for producing a dairy product according to claim 1, comprising: adding the peptide exhibiting beta-galactosidase activity to a milk-based substrate comprising lactose; and treating said milk-based substrate with said peptide. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein said treating takes place at a pH within a range of 3-10. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein all or a part of said treating takes place at a temperature of not more than 25° C. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein all or a part of said treating takes place at a temperature of at least 25° C. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein the galactose inhibition of said peptide or dimeric peptide is less than 60%. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein said dairy product is a fermented milk product and said adding is performed during or prior to fermentation. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, which method does not require addition of a further enzyme after fermentation. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein said dairy product is a fermented milk product and said adding is performed immediately following fermentation. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein said dairy product is fresh milk and said adding is performed prior to, in conjunction with, or immediately following a step of pasteurization. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein said dairy product is ultra-heat treatment (UHT) milk and said adding is performed prior to, in conjunction with, or immediately following a step of ultra-heat treatment. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein said treating is started at a temperature of between 40° C. and 100° C. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The dairy product according to claim 1, wherein the amino acid sequence of the peptide is selected from SEQ ID NO: 9, 10, 11, and 16, and amino acid sequences having not more than 22 amino acid substitutions, additions, or deletions relative to the amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 9, 10, 11, and 16. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The dairy product according to claim 1, wherein the peptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:9. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The dairy product according to claim 1, wherein the peptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:10. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The dairy product according to claim 1, wherein the peptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:11. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The dairy product according to claim 1, wherein the peptide has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 16. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The dairy product according to claim 1, wherein dairy product is selected from lactose-free milk, low-lactose milk, yogurt, cheese, fermented milk products, dietary supplements, and probiotic dietary products.