NU .

400

INTEF:-OFFlCE CORF :ESPONDENC£

COPIES TO :
DATE : S:;ptcrrzber 21 , 1970

To: S . A . Angotti R . L . Fisher K . W. Kirby M. Senkus

W. C . Black P . E . G<,aiser C . G . Phei I'--' O . H . Tousey
R . V . Cronin L . L . Huston E . C . Ritchell E . A. Vassallo
C . M. Sawyer C . M. Widmer
FROM : R . E . ESroui I lard

R E: 7as1c Porce Mceting, September 10, 1970

Attached is a copy of the minutes covering the Task Force Meeting hold in
Cedar Rapids Septemaer 10 .
QP4
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 MI NUTES
PENSWEET TASK FORCE MEETING
Cedar Rapids, Sept . 10, 1970

Present :

R. E. Brouillard
K. W. Ki rby
C . G. Phei I
C . M. Sawyer
O. H. Tousey
C .M.Wii dmer
D . O. Tackaberry (part time)

R. L . Fisher wi I I replace L . K . Holmes

( . Competitive Activity

No new information has been developed on the rumors that Clinton is plan-
ning a West Coast facility for Isomerose .

Clinton is reported to be selling Isomerose 100 at 30-44/cwt . over Invert -

syrup on the West Coast .

Clinton will not replace the two dryers lost in their recent explosion, becau,e
the starch capacity involved will be diverted to Isomerose .

There is no evidence that Union or CPC is sampling the trade with glucose-
fructose products at this time .

A sugar company has introduced a 90% invert on the West Coast in competiti'on
to Isomerose 100 .

There are no further developments on the American Sugar East Coast promotion
of invert in competition to Isomerose 100 .

It was Indicated that investment in the Staley Pennsylvania plant would be appre-
ciably greater than originally projected .

11 . Review of Glucose Isomerase Production at Dawe's

A . Evaluation of Facilities

Dr . Kirby and Mr . Widmer visited the Dawe's Harbor Beach, MichiGan

facility . Their report is attached .
 2

The Task Force agreed with the conclusion that for short term Pensweet
operation we should continue our relationship with Dawe's and that in-
house enzyme manufacture should be considered only after the enzyme
binding studies are completed and our long-term requirements can be
more clearly defined .

B. Pi lot and Scale-up Performance

Pi lot activity is considered to be successful . Four batches have been

made with the last two excellent in terms of yield, activity, and
oporating characteristics . Dr . Phei I and Mr . Hayes participated in
these runs .

Scale-up, to 1800 gallons will start the week of September 14 . Barring

any unforeseen difficulties, a supply of glucose-isomerase wi II be
available for Cedar Rapids Pensweet operations by October 1 .

C . Enzyme Handling and Transportation

Y

It is planned to freeze the enzyme cells with dry ice, transport by refrigerated
truck, and hold in a commercial freezer locker in Cedar Rapids .

Ill . Review of Winston-Salem Activity

Winston-Salem Pensweet activity has been budgeted for over $600,000 in 1971 .

Activity on whole cell isomerization indicates that there is a substantial difforence

in the rate of isomerization based on the source of the high D . E . syrup used . Indi-
cations have been found that the isomaitose and maltotriose content of the syrup
may be a significant factor in performance . In order to resolve these differences
and potential interfering substances, the attached program for Cedar Rapids action
was developed by Dr . Pheil and Mr . Tackaberry . This will be initiated Immediately .

The work on continuous isomerizations with DEAE-cellulose bound enzyme will be

terminated when the enzyme is exhausted in the large columns . The re-use fiactors,
the degradation of the cellulose during rough handling, and the rebinding chiirac-
teristics of the cellulose will be determined . These data will be reviewed with
Corporate Development before the use of this support is eliminated from the process .

Results to date on enzyme insolubilization on various resins indicate that only

IRA-904 holds promise . Batch variation does not seem to present difficulties .
Extent of indicated enzyme re-use appears to be In the practical range . Studies
now under way are designed to determine feasibility of resin regeneration and re-
use . Preliminary microscopic investigation does not indicate crazing or cracking
of the resin structure .
 3

Investigation of the lysing procedure which must precede enzyme insolubiliza .-

tion continues . Various mold cultures are being studied to weaken the cell
structure . The use of a Premier Colloid Mill to free enzyme from lysozyme
treated cells does not appear promising . A Manton Gaulin mill will be tried .

Published work by Professor Barker on enzyme insolubilization does not appear

promising, because the chemical coupling techniques used would indicate very
high costs .

IV . Monsanto Activity

It was reported that Monsanto is currently active on an extensive program on

enzyme insolubilization and that they are actively seeking a source of glucose
Isomerase . The Task Force directed Dr . Brouillard to investigate the terms and
conditions under which a cooperative program might be undertaken .

Once the terms and conditions of a cooperative program are decided, the tech-
nical personnel should discuss the degree of enzyme purity required for binding
and the potentia l levels o f enxyme t hat l
cou d be bound J n t he system . These data

are required before the potential of their system could be economically evaluated .

V. Cedar Rapids Pensweet Pilot Operation

Pensweet pi lot 'operations from whole cel Is produced at Dawe's,is scheduled for
~early~ October .

VI . Projected Use of Total~- Sugar

. Syrup Capacity

Work on refinement of the 95 D . E . syrup process has resulted In a lowering

of the sludge level from 5-6% to 1-2% . This improvement gives a filtration
rate of 25 gallons/min . or a daily production rate of 90,000 lbs . At this ratei,
it is feasible to allocate 15-20,000,000 lbs ./yr . to Pensweet based on pro-
jected sales of 5-7,000,000 lbs . of Celutab .

An important residual problem in syrup production lies In the variable time

required to achieve 95+ D . E .'s . This has varied from,24 to 80 hours. With
the longer time cycles, there is a severe limitation on productive capacity,
particularly when use of the Total Sugar Syrup equipment for Pensweet will
necessarily involve an extension of the cycle for isomerization . Studies have
been under way for some time in attempts to resolve this problem . These will
be continued with particular emphasis on possible line starch contamination
with "Run Around" starch .

Pensweet operations In present Total Sugar Syrup equipment Is projected to

involve the following steps :
 A . Starch to 95 D . E . Syrup
B. Possible clarification with do Laval centrifuge
C. Isomc:rization (whole cell)
D. Filtration
E . Carbon treatment
F . Ion exchange
G . Concentration

As presently visualized, automatic pH control will be required . This will

involve on investment estimated to be $25,000 . A few new treatment tanks rnay
also be necessary .

VII . Transfer of 2perations to Cedar Rapids

Drs . Kirby and Pheil have made a preliminary survey of personnel, equipment,
and space requirement necessary for transfer of Pensweet operations to Cedar
Rapids . Their reports are attached .

The target date on which the Cedar Rapids operation should be fully functional
is September, 1971 . A PEP form is being prepared to cover the transfer .

VIII . NSK Involvement

The decision has been made to license NSK on the W-S Glucose Isomerase
and Penswcet with the proviso that there be a free exchange of the technical
information developed . Dr . Brouillard was directed to develop current NSK
willingness to participate in this program .

IX . Potential Use of Dry Mi I led Corn for Pensweet Production

Brewery by-product stocks of high oil, dry milled corn are being obtained
through Miag-Minneapoiis . This product wi II be evaluated by processes
previously developed for high D . E . syrup from dry milled corn .

Work with BMA on a simplified wet milling process has been initiated, based
on a Cedar Rapids process stream before gluten separation .

Although this work will not modify plans for the immediate Pensweet operations,
it has great significance in long - term economic considerations .

REB :mh