METHOD AND DEVICE FOR STABILIZING POLYPHENOL-CONTAINING LIQUIDS

Abstract

A process for stabilizing a liquid that contains a first type of polyphenol includes measuring the liquid's spectrum, comparing it to a reference spectrum, based on the comparison, estimating an amount of the first type of polyphenol, based on the amount, adding a specified quantity of an insoluble stabilizing agent to the liquid, feeding the stabilizing agent and the liquid to a filter unit, at the filter unit, separating the stabilizer from the liquid, and discharging the liquid. The specified quantity is based on the amount.

Claims

1-18. (canceled)

19. A process comprising stabilizing a liquid that contains a first type of polyphenol, wherein stabilizing said liquid comprising supplying said liquid through a supplying-and-feeding unit, using a measuring device, measuring a spectrum of said liquid, using a comparison-and-analysis unit, comparing said spectrum with a reference spectrum, based at least in part on said comparison, estimating an amount of said first type of polyphenol, adding a specified quantity of a stabilizing agent to said liquid, feeding said stabilizing agent and said liquid to a filter unit, at said filter unit, separating said stabilizing agent from said liquid, and discharging said liquid, wherein said stabilizing agent is insoluble in said liquid, wherein said specified quantity is based on said amount, wherein said stabilizing agent is configured to bind to said first type of polyphenol, wherein said stabilizing agent that is removed has been partially loaded with polyphenol, and wherein said liquid that is discharged is a stabilized liquid that has been depleted of at least one type of polyphenol.

20. The process of claim 19, further comprising, prior to comparing said spectrum with a reference spectrum, using said measuring device to ascertain said reference spectrum.

21. The process of claim 19, further comprising, prior to comparing said spectrum with a reference spectrum, obtaining a reference spectrum of said first type of polyphenol, and wherein comparing said spectrum with a reference spectrum comprises, using said comparison-and-analysis unit, estimating an amount of said first type of polyphenol contained in said liquid, wherein estimating comprises comparing said spectrum with said reference spectrum, and, from said comparison, calculating a value indicative of a quantity of said first type of polyphenol contained in said liquid.

22. The process of claim 19, wherein supplying said liquid through a supplying-and-feeding unit comprises supplying a liquid that contains plural types of polyphenols, and wherein comparing said spectrum with a reference spectrum, based on said comparison and estimating an amount of said first type of polyphenol comprises determining a total quantity of polyphenols in said liquid.

23. The process of claim 22, wherein comparing said spectrum with a reference spectrum comprises, using said comparison-and-analysis unit, from said comparison of said spectrum of said liquid with said at least one IR reference spectrum by comparison operations, estimating a quantity of at least one type of a lead polyphenol in said liquid, and, from said estimate, estimating a quantity of total polyphenols contained in said liquid.

24. The process of claim 23, wherein estimating a quantity of total polyphenols in said liquid comprises estimating quantities of plural types of lead polyphenols in said liquid, and, based at least in part on said quantities, estimating said quantity of total polyphenols contained in said liquid.

25. The process of claim 19, wherein supplying said liquid through a supplying-and-feeding unit comprises supplying a beverage containing polyphenols.

26. The process of claim 24, further comprising selecting said plural types of lead polyphenols from the group of flavonoids, chalkons, flavons, anthocyanides, proanthocyanides, and dimer B-type proanthocyanides.

27. The process of claim 24, further comprising selecting said plural types of lead polyphenols from the group consisting of procyandin B3, flavan-3-ol-dimer, prodelphiniden B3, xanthohumol, and a mixture, wherein said mixture is a mixture of substances selected from the group consisting of procyandin B3, flavan-3-ol-dimer, prodelphiniden B3, and xanthohumol.

28. The process of claim 19, further comprising repeating stabilizing said liquid at predetermined intervals of time.

29. The process of claim 19, further comprising selecting said stabilizing agent to comprise polyvinylpolypyrrolidone.

30. The process of claim 19, wherein measuring a spectrum of said liquid comprises measuring an IR spectrum of said liquid.

31. The process of claim 19, wherein measuring an IR spectrum comprises measuring a spectrum having mid-infrared wavelengths.

32. The process of claim 19, wherein measuring an IR spectrum comprises measuring a spectrum having near-infrared wavelengths.

33. The process of claim 19, wherein measuring an IR spectrum comprises measuring a spectrum between 4000 waves per centimeter and 400 waves per centimeter.

34. The process of claim 19, wherein measuring an IR spectrum comprises measuring a spectrum having a wavelength between 12500 waves per centimeter to 4000 waves per centimeter.

35. The process of claim 19, wherein measuring a spectrum of said liquid comprises measuring said spectrum within a wavelength range having an upper bound of 50 waves per centimeter.

36. The process of claim 19, wherein measuring a spectrum of said liquid comprises measuring a visible light spectrum.

37. An apparatus for specifically designed for carrying out a stabilization process as recited in claim 19, wherein said apparatus comprises a supplying-and-feeding unit, a first spectroscope, a comparison-and-analysis unit, a metering unit, a filter, and a discharge line, wherein said supplying-and-feeding unit is configured for providing liquid containing at least one type of polyphenol, wherein said first spectroscope is configured for ascertaining at least one spectrum of said liquid, wherein said comparison-and-analysis unit is configured for comparing spectra and, based on said comparison, estimating a quantity of polyphenol contained in said liquid, wherein said metering unit is configured for adding a specific amount of a stabilizing agent to said liquid, said stabilizing agent being insoluble in said liquid, wherein said filter is configure for separating, from said liquid, stabilizing agent that has been at least partially loaded with polyphenol, and wherein said discharge line is configured for discharging said stabilized liquid, said stabilized liquid having been depleted of at least one type of polyphenol.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising a control unit configured for communicating connection to said comparison-and-analysis unit and for controlling said metering unit.

39. The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising a second spectroscope.

40. The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising selecting said liquid to be a beverage.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] The invention is explained in greater detail hereinafter on the basis of exemplary embodiments in connection with the drawings, in which

[0055] FIG. 1 shows a device for stabilizing a liquid, and

[0056] FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a device for stabilizing a liquid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for carrying out a continuous process for stabilizing a liquid, such as beer. The steps of the method are integrated into the overall process of producing beer and filling it into containers.

[0058] The apparatus includes a feeding unit 1 that receives beer t delivered from a mash unit, a fermentation unit, or a pre-filtration unit into a supplying-and-feeding unit 1. The beer A flows past a measuring device 2 arranged in a light-permeable section 1a of the feeding unit 1.

[0059] A suitable measuring device 2 is a spectrometer, such as an infrared (IR) spectrometer. When an infrared light is passed through the light-permeable section 10, the measuring device 2 records the beer's IR spectrum for comparison with one or more IR reference spectra of one or more types of lead polyphenols.

[0060] In some embodiments, the infrared light radiates into the product flow with mid-infrared light having a wavelength range from 4000 waves per centimeter to 400 waves per centimeter. The beer absorbs certain wavelengths of the radiated light. What light remains enters the measuring device 2. A comparison-and-analysis unit 3, hereafter referred to more concisely as an analysis unit, receives light from the measuring device 2. The analysis unit 3 examines the light, and in particular, its spectral lines.

[0061] The analysis unit 3 carries out real-time comparison of the spectrum against one or more reference spectra corresponding to one or more types of lead polyphenols. As a result of this quantitative analysis, the analysis unit 3 estimates the amount of polyphenol in the beer.

[0062] After flowing past the measuring device 2, the product flow A passes through a metering unit 4. Under control of a control that is in communication with the analysis unit 3, the metering unit 4 stabilizing agent S into the beer A. A suitable stabilizing agent is polyvinylpolypyrrolidon (PVPP). The controller regulates the flow of stabilizing agent S based on the analysis unit's estimate of how much polyphenol is in the beer. This permits stabilizing agent S to be added to the beer A in an amount that is proportional to the polyphenol content of the beer A.

[0063] The mixture of beer A and stabilizing agent S flows to a filter unit 5. The dwell time, during which the beer A is in contact with the stabilizing agent S can be adjusted by either adjusting the flow rate or adjusting the distance between the filter unit 5 and the point at which the stabilizing agent S is added.

[0064] The filter unit 5 separates the stabilizing agent S from the beer A. The stabilized beer A is then discharged through a discharge line 6 and conveyed, for example, to a buffer container, a tank, or a filling system.

[0065] An alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, features a first measuring device 2 and a second measuring device 2 downstream of the first measuring device 2 and a metering unit 4. The first and second measuring devices 2, 2 record corresponding first and second IR spectra of the beer A.

[0066] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the analysis unit 3 receives both the first and second IR spectra in the manner already described in connection with the first embodiment.

[0067] By evaluation of the data obtained from the second IR spectrum of the beer, it becomes possible to monitor the degree of stabilization. If the desired degree of stabilization is not attained, it is possible to adjust the dwell time, for example by adjusting flow rate, or to adjust the amount of stabilizing agent S that is introduced at the metering unit 4.

[0068] Having described the invention, and a preferred embodiment thereof, what is claimed as new and secured by letters patent is: