# US 12,757,909 B2 · Microparticulation of recombinant beta-lactoglobulin and associated food applications

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- Number: US 12,757,909 B2
- Document ID: US12757909B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/903,400
- Filed: 2024-10-01
- Published: 2025-04-03
- Granted: 2026-10-13
- Earliest claimed: 2023-10-02
- Assignees: Verley
- Applicants: Bon Vivant
- Inventors: Arnaud Mimouni; Kelly Mulder; Helene Briand; Lena Piola
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12757909B2

## CPC

- A23C 11/065: {Microbial proteins, inactivated yeast or animal proteins}
- A23J 1/008: {from microorganisms (A23J1/18 takes precedence)}
- A23J 3/20: Proteins from microorganisms or unicellular algae
- C07K 14/4717: {Plasma globulins, lactoglobulin}
- A23P 30/00: Shaping or working of foodstuffs characterised by the process or apparatus (A23P10/00, A23P20/00 take precedence)
- A23C: DAIRY PRODUCTS, e.g. MILK, BUTTER OR CHEESE; MILK OR CHEESE SUBSTITUTES; PREPARATION THEREOF (preservation thereof A23B11/00)
- A23J: PROTEIN COMPOSITIONS FOR FOODSTUFFS; WORKING-UP PROTEINS FOR FOODSTUFFS; PHOSPHATIDE COMPOSITIONS FOR FOODSTUFFS
- 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)
- A23P: SHAPING OR WORKING OF FOODSTUFFS, NOT FULLY COVERED BY A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS

## Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a microparticulated rBLG (recombinant β-lactoglobulin), a microparticulated rBLG obtained from said method and a composition thereof, and the use of such microparticulated rBLG for making animal and non-animal dairy products.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for the preparation of microparticulated recombinant beta-lactoglobulin (rBLG) of non-animal origin comprising the steps of:
a) providing an aqueous solution of rBLG of non-animal origin, wherein said aqueous solution comprises from 3 to 20% w/w of rBLG by weight in relation to the total weight of the aqueous solution, and has a pH of from 3 to 8 or from 4 to 8,
b) heating the aqueous solution of rBLG at a temperature of from 82 to 99° C., and
c) applying a high shear rate treatment of at least 70 s−1 to the aqueous solution of rBLG,
to afford a microparticulated rBLG aqueous solution, wherein the microparticulated rBLG is in the form of aggregates having an average particle size of from 0.1 to 15 μm, and wherein particle size for said aggregates of microparticulated rBLG is heat stable as determined by a heat stability test at 90° C. for 10 min.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the rBLG concentration in the aqueous solution of step a is from 5 to 20% w/w or from 8 to 20% w/w by weight in relation to the total weight of the aqueous solution.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the pH of the aqueous solution of step a is from 4.5 to 7 or from 5.5 to 6.5.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the heating step in step b and the high shear rate treatment in step c are performed simultaneously.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the high shear rate treatment in step c is performed after the heating step in step b.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises one or more steps selected among: a step d of cooling the aqueous solution to a temperature lower than 65° C., a step e of concentrating the aqueous solution, and a step f of drying the aqueous solution.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous solution of step a further comprises at least one polysaccharide.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method according to claim 7, wherein the polysaccharide/rBLG ratio is from 1/3 to 1/30.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the rBLG of non-animal origin is obtained from a fungus.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A microparticulated rBLG of non-animal origin obtained from the process according to claim 1.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The microparticulated rBLG of non-animal origin according to claim 10, wherein the rBLG is in the form of aggregates, said aggregates having an average particle size of from 1 to 10 μm, or from 1 to 6 μm.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The method according to claim 9, wherein the fungus is of the genus Aspergillus.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

An animal or non-animal dairy product comprising the microparticulated rBLG of non-animal origin according to claim 10.