Collagen mixture and method of making the same

A collagen mixture having a portion of unhydrolyzed eggshell membrane collagen and Avian collagen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to creating a collagen mixture and more specifically, without limitation, creating a collagen mixture of unhydrolyzed eggshell membrane with LOS with Avian collagen.

Methods for producing collagen are known in the art. Such collagen is used for many things such as the healing of wounds, the production of skin creams and shampoo, the treatment of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, and as an additive for human and pet food. While useful, the process is expensive, complicated, involving many steps, and requires harsh chemicals and inorganics which can damage unique properties. Accordingly, a method and mixture is needed in the art that addresses these deficiencies.

An objective of the present invention is to combine Type I, V, and X collagen with Type II collagen.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method of making unhydrolyzed eggshell membrane collagen with LOS that involves fewer steps and is unde-natured.

A still further objective of the present invention is to provide a method of producing Avian collagen Type II with a greater molecular weight.

These and other objectives will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art based upon the following written description, drawings, and claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A collagen mixture includes a portion of unhydrolyzed eggshell membrane collagen and a portion of Avian collagen. The method of making the eggshell membrane collagen includes separating a membrane from an eggshell, drying the membrane, and pulverizing the membrane into a powder. The method of making the Avian collagen includes adding an enzyme mixture to a thawed Avian cartilage to break the cartilage down into liquid form, heating the liquid cartilage to form a layer of liquid digest, raising the pH level of the liquid digest, heating the raised pH level liquid digest to form a partial solid content, and spray drying the partial solid content.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Figures, the process of making unhydrolyzed eggshell membrane collagen containing Type I, V, and X collagen and lysosyme, ovatransferin, and sialic acid (LOS) begins at step100by obtaining sanitized cracked eggshells10. The cracked eggshells10are placed on a sifter12at step110where the membrane14of the eggshell10is separated from the shell10. The sifter12is of any type and preferably includes a fine mesh through which the shell10falls while the membrane14is transported to the end of the sifter12.

Once separated, the membrane14is placed in a hot dryer16to dry the membrane and kill bacteria at step120. While the dryer16is of any type, a motion dryer is preferred to facilitate faster drying. Once dried, the membrane14, which is in flake form, is pulverized into a powder at step130. Once in powder form, the membrane is packaged preferably in a fiber drum or bag for further use and/or processing.

The process of making the Avian collagen with LOS begins by obtaining Avian cartilage18, typically in frozen form at step200. At step210, the frozen cartilage18is thawed by placing the cartilage in a tank20containing hot water. Once thawed, an enzyme mixture22is added to the thawed cartilage18which breaks the cartilage down into liquid form at step220. Preferably, the enzyme mixture22includes a liquid plant derived enzyme24such as papain, ficen, or bromalain; a bacterial proteolytic enzyme26, such as acid, neutral, or alkelian; and a buffer28such as acetic acid or sodium hydroxide and water for a pH buffering range of 4.8 to 6.8. As the enzyme mixture22breaks down the cartilage18, the tank is heated to preferably 140°-160° F. such that the cartilage18separates into a top layer of fat30, a middle layer of liquid digest32, and a bottom layer of bone chips34.

Once separated, at step230, the bone chips34are swept away from a valve36in the bottom of the tank20and the liquid digest32is pumped through the valve36to a holding tank38. Once pumped, at step240, the pH level of the liquid digest32is raised by adding sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide40to the liquid digest32in the holding tank38. Preferably the pH level of the liquid digest32is raised to a level of 5 to 11.

At step250, after the pH level is raised, the liquid digest32is pumped into an evaporator42where the liquid digest32is heated to a solid content of between 10% to 75% such that the liquid has a syrup consistency. Preferably the liquid digest is heated at a temperature of 190°-230° F. to create a solid content of 15-40%.

Next, at step260, the solid liquid digest32is transported to an area for spray drying44. Preferably, the solid liquid digest is spray dried using high pressure pulse combustion. Also, a carrier such as multrodextrine is added to assist in pulling off extra water from the liquid digest32. This results in a dry powder comprised of Avian collagen.

Once the Avian collagen has been spray dried it is mixed with the unhydrolyzed eggshell membrane collagen at step270to create a blended collagen mixture that includes Type I, II, III, IV, V and X collagen and LOS. Preferably the mixture has 70% Avian collagen to 30% eggshell membrane or alternatively 30% Avian collagen to 70% eggshell membrane collagen. Once combined, at step280, the mixture is packaged and distributed.

The mixture of a portion of unhydrolyzed eggshell membrane and a portion of Avian collagen includes a minimum of 15 percent mucopolysacaride, a minimum of 5 percent chondroitin sulfite, a minimum of 2 percent hyaluronic acid, and a minimum of 20 percent protein. The following is a test result on the collagen mixture:

Alternatively, the collagen includes a minimum of 2 percent mucopolysacaride, a minimum of 0.1 percent of chondroitin sulfate, a minimum of 0.5 percent of hyaluronic acid, a minimum of 0.3 percent of glucosamine, and a minimum of 22 percent protein. The following is a test completed on the collagen:

Accordingly, a collagen mixture and method of making the same has been disclosed that, at the very least, meets all the stated objectives.