Alpha-Tocotrienol Enrichment from High-Phytosterol Tocol Mixtures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to obtain desirable amounts of alpha-tocotrienol from plant sources, particularly those with high phytosterol content, and fail to effectively convert beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocotrienols to alpha-tocotrienol.
Innovation Solution
A method involving amino-alkylation, reduction, impurity removal, and solvent partitioning to enrich alpha-tocotrienol, including steps to remove waxy and polar impurities without intermediate separation, followed by chromatographic purification using a simulated moving bed process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional alkylation methods are used to produce alpha-tocotrienol from plant sources, then some alpha-tocotrienol can be obtained, but the amount is lower than potentially achievable and desirable amounts cannot be obtained from sources with more than 5% phytosterol content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first amino-alkylating the non-alpha tocotrienols (beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocotrienols) to protect them and prevent unwanted side reactions during subsequent reduction steps. This preliminary protection step enables the selective conversion of non-alpha tocotrienols to alpha-tocotrienol without interference from other components in the mixture, including phytosterols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the chemical state of non-alpha tocotrienols through amino-alkylation, changing their reactivity characteristics. This parameter change allows selective reduction of the amino-alkylated non-alpha tocotrienols to alpha-tocotrienol while leaving other components unaffected, thereby increasing alpha-tocotrienol yield from sources with high phytosterol content.
2Manufacturing precision
If intermediate separation steps are introduced to purify the tocol mixture, then purity may be improved, but the process complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by selectively removing waxy impurities through filtration and eliminating polar impurities through extraction with polar solvents at specific temperature ranges. These targeted extraction steps remove unwanted components without requiring multiple complex separation operations, maintaining process simplicity while achieving high purity alpha-tocotrienol.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions by controlling temperature to manage the solubility and physical state of different components. Waxy impurities are removed by filtering at temperatures below their melting points, and polar impurities are extracted using polar solvents at controlled temperatures (0-40°C), exploiting phase and solubility differences to achieve purification without complex separation equipment.
3Productivity
If conventional methods are used to convert beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocotrienols to alpha-tocotrienol, then some conversion occurs, but effective conversion is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary compound by amino-alkylating non-alpha tocotrienols to form amino-alkylated derivatives. This intermediary step modifies the chemical structure to enhance subsequent reduction efficiency, enabling effective conversion to alpha-tocotrienol. The amino-alkylation acts as a mediating transformation that facilitates the overall conversion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct reduction with a two-step chemical process: amino-alkylation followed by reduction. This substitution of the reduction mechanism with a preliminary chemical modification enables selective and efficient conversion of non-alpha tocotrienols to alpha-tocotrienol, achieving high productivity that cannot be obtained through conventional direct reduction methods.
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
The method achieves high alpha-tocotrienol content, up to 58 wt%, and high purity, overcoming the limitations of previous methods by efficiently converting and purifying alpha-tocotrienol from plant-derived materials.
Implementation Method 1
contacting a tocol mixture with an amino-alkylating agent, wherein the tocol mixture comprises at least one non-alpha tocotrienol, at least one non-tocol, alpha tocotrienol, and optionally one or more tocopherols, whereby the at least one non-alpha tocotrienol is amino-alkylated
Implementation Method 2
reducing the amino-alkylated non-alpha tocotrienols to alpha tocotrienol with a reducing agent
Implementation Method 3
contacting the mixture with an agent that binds one or more polar impurities, wherein the polar impurities are one or more undesired compounds formed that are more polar than the alpha-tocotrienol
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided herein are methods for making an alpha-tocotrienol enriched tocol mixture, such as from a plant or plant-derived material. Also provided herein are simulated moving bed purification methods for tocotrienol compounds such as alpha tocotrienol.