Process to remove catalyst poisons from hop extracts
AssigneeCultor Food Service, Inc.
InventorGeorge Gauthier
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Abstract
A process for the removal of catalyst poisons from hops and hop extracts is disclosed. After processing the hops to extract the alpha or beta acids therein, the alpha or beta acids are treated with activated nickel catalyst. The activated nickel catalyst binds the catalyst poisons which are believed to be sulfur containing compounds. The activated nickel and catalyst poisons are separated from the alpha or beta acids, and the alpha or beta acids are then hydrogenated and isomerized into tetrahydroisoalpha acids.
Claims21
A process for the removal of catalyst poisons from hops containing acids, said process comprising the steps of:
- (i) isolating said acids from said hops;
- and
- (ii) treating said acids with an activated nickel catalyst wherein said activated nickel catalyst is present in an amount effective to bind said catalyst poisons to said activated nickel catalyst and wherein said catalyst poisons comprise compounds that foul hydrogenation catalysts used in the hydrogenation of alpha, beta and isoalpha acids.
A process for the removal of catalyst poisons from hop extracts, said hop extracts comprising alpha acids and beta acids, said process comprising the steps of:
- (i) separating said alpha acids from said beta acids;
- (ii) treating said alpha acids with an activated nickel catalyst, wherein said activated nickel catalyst is present in an amount effective to bind said catalyst poisons to said activated nickel catalyst;
- and
- (iii) hydrogenating and isomerizing said alpha acids into tetrahydroisoalpha acids.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.