Aqueous Surfactant Extraction of Algae Bioactives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current extraction methods for biologically active compounds from biomass, such as flavonoids, face challenges including the use of solvents that can be environmentally harmful and irritating to skin, inefficient filtration processes, and the inability to effectively distinguish between beneficial and toxic components, leading to suboptimal skin protection against UV damage.
Innovation Solution
The use of aqueous solutions with nonionic surfactants, specifically block copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide), and alkyl polyglucosides, to extract flavonoids and other bioactive compounds from algae, fungi, and botanical biomass, which enhances extraction efficiency, reduces filtration time, and minimizes the use of harsh solvents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional solvent-based extraction methods are used, then extraction efficiency is improved, but environmental harm and skin irritation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extraction medium by using aqueous solutions with controlled surfactant concentrations (0.01-20 wt%) instead of traditional organic solvents. This parameter change maintains extraction efficiency for hydrophobic compounds while eliminating the harmful effects of toxic solvents, directly resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful factors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces nonionic surfactants as intermediary substances that mediate between the hydrophobic bioactive compounds and the aqueous extraction medium. These surfactants form micelles that solubilize hydrophobic compounds in water, enabling efficient extraction without using harmful organic solvents, thus resolving the contradiction between extraction efficiency and environmental/skin safety
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple filtration steps are used to remove biomass, then purification is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the biomass phase separately from the aqueous surfactant solution immediately after extraction. Since the bioactive compounds are solubilized in the aqueous phase with surfactants, the solid biomass can be easily separated by single-stage filtration or centrifugation, achieving both purification and time reduction by taking out the solid phase first
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the extraction mixture into two distinct phases: the aqueous surfactant solution containing solubilized bioactive compounds and the solid biomass phase. This segmentation allows for simple separation by filtration or centrifugation without requiring multiple purification steps, resolving the contradiction between purification quality and processing time
3Device complexity
If conventional extraction methods are used, then extraction process is simple, but ability to distinguish beneficial from toxic components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using nonionic surfactants with specific hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) values tailored to select for beneficial compounds. Different surfactants can be chosen based on their affinity for specific compound classes, allowing selective extraction of beneficial bioactive compounds while leaving toxic components in the biomass phase, thus achieving component discrimination without complex equipment
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 increases the yield and concentration of target bioactive compounds, improves the color and odor of extracts, reduces the number of filtration steps, and provides better skin protection against UV damage without the need for additional processing to remove surfactants, resulting in more effective and sustainable cosmetic products.
Implementation Method 1
The aqueous liquid comprises about 0.01 to about 20 wt. percent of a nonionic surfactant
Implementation Method 2
contacting the algae, fungi or botanical biomass with an aqueous liquid to form a slurry, wherein the aqueous liquid comprises about 0.01 to about 20 wt. percent of a nonionic surfactant
Implementation Method 3
The use of aqueous solutions with nonionic surfactants, specifically block copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide), and alkyl polyglucosides, to extract flavonoids and other bioactive compounds
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to methods for extraction of biomass. Biomass of most interest is that which contains biologically active, extracts suitable for the skin care market. The biomass of interest includes botanicals (plant extracts and bioferments thereof), algae (red, brown, green and red, including bioferments thereof), fungi and even animal extracts (insect, crustacean) origin. Further the use of said extracts in cosmetic preparations prepared by the disclosed method is envisioned.