Agave Spirit Dealcoholization via Deep Eutectic Solvents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dealcoholization methods for high-alcohol distilled spirits, such as those above 40% ABV, face limitations in preserving the original organoleptic qualities and MAO inhibitory activity due to membrane incompatibility and the stripping of aroma compounds, leading to a lack of non-alcoholic distilled spirits with desirable qualities.
Innovation Solution
A non-dilution method using deep eutectic solvents like glycerol and choline chloride to break the ethanol-water azeotrope, allowing for distillation at atmospheric or sub-atmospheric pressures, which retains volatile components and increases the MAO B to MAO A inhibitor ratio, preserving the flavor profile and MAO inhibitory activity of agave-derived spirits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If reverse osmosis is used to remove ethanol from high-alcohol distilled spirits, then ethanol removal efficiency is improved, but membrane integrity is disrupted and organoleptic qualities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the distillation process by operating at reduced pressures (sub-atmospheric conditions) and controlling temperature gradients to separate ethanol while preserving volatile aroma compounds. This avoids the membrane disruption issue in reverse osmosis while achieving effective ethanol removal from high-alcohol spirits.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transition of ethanol from liquid to vapor through controlled heating and distillation. By carefully managing the vaporization and condensation processes under reduced pressure, ethanol is removed while volatile organic compounds remain in the liquid phase, preserving the organoleptic qualities of the final product.
2Quantity of substance
If distillation is performed at atmospheric pressure to remove ethanol, then ethanol removal is achieved, but volatile aroma compounds are stripped along with ethanol
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs reduced pressure (vacuum distillation) to lower the boiling point of ethanol, allowing separation at temperatures below 100°C. This parameter change prevents the co-evaporation of volatile aroma compounds that would occur at atmospheric pressure distillation, thereby removing ethanol while preserving the flavor profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The distillation process dynamically adjusts temperature and pressure conditions throughout the operation. By controlling the heating rate and maintaining vacuum conditions, the system selectively vaporizes ethanol while keeping volatile organic compounds in the liquid phase, achieving separation without loss of aromatic components.
3Reliability
If high-alcohol distilled spirits are diluted below 20% ABV for reverse osmosis processing, then membrane compatibility is improved, but the resulting dealcoholized product loses its original organoleptic qualities
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses phase transition-based distillation under reduced pressure to remove ethanol directly from high-alcohol spirits without requiring dilution. This maintains the concentration of non-volatile flavor compounds and other organoleptic components, preserving the characteristic quality of the original spirit while achieving effective ethanol removal.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the pressure parameter to sub-atmospheric conditions, the process enables direct processing of high-alcohol spirits (40% ABV or higher) without dilution. The reduced pressure allows ethanol to vaporize at lower temperatures, selective to the boiling points of aromatic compounds, thereby maintaining organoleptic qualities while ensuring membrane compatibility is not an issue.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables the creation of high-quality, non-alcoholic distilled spirits that retain the original flavor and experiential effects of their alcoholic counterparts, providing enhanced MAO B inhibition and mood elevation without dilution, suitable for treating depression and cognitive enhancement.
Implementation Method 1
deep eutectic solvents like glycerol and choline chloride to break the ethanol-water azeotrope
Implementation Method 2
allowing for distillation at atmospheric or sub-atmospheric pressures
Implementation Method 3
distillation at atmospheric or sub-atmospheric pressures, which retains volatile components
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions containing monoamine oxidase inhibitors derived from agave-based drinks are disclosed, along with methods to alter their inhibitory activity.