Coconut Water Extraction Solvent for Green Chemistry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current extraction solvents, such as alcohols and hexane, used in the chemical, food, and cosmetic industries are toxic, flammable, and poorly biodegradable, necessitating the development of safer, more sustainable alternatives for extracting active ingredients from plant materials.
Innovation Solution
Coconut water is employed as a natural solvent for extracting compounds from plant, animal, and prokaryotic biological materials, offering enhanced extraction efficiency compared to aqueous extraction, and can be used with optional additives like surfactants and assisted by microwaves or ultrasound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional organic solvents (alcohols, hexane, ethyl acetate) are used for extraction, then high extraction efficiency and yield are achieved, but toxicity, flammability, and poor biodegradability occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extraction solvent by using coconut water, which has different polarity and solubility characteristics compared to conventional organic solvents. This allows achieving similar or better extraction efficiency while eliminating toxicity and flammability issues associated with traditional solvents like hexane and ethyl acetate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a biodegradable natural solvent (coconut water) that can be safely disposed of or degraded in the environment, replacing persistent and harmful conventional solvents. The natural origin and biodegradability of coconut water align with green chemistry principles, allowing the solvent to be discarded without environmental harm after use
2Productivity
If conventional organic solvents are used for extraction, then high extraction efficiency is achieved, but environmental pollution and poor biodegradability occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the environmental compatibility parameters of extraction solvents by selecting coconut water, which has superior biodegradability and lower environmental impact. The solvent's natural composition allows it to decompose readily in the environment, preventing accumulation and pollution while maintaining effective extraction performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adopts a biodegradable solvent system that can be safely discarded after use without causing long-term environmental harm. The natural, renewable nature of coconut water ensures it breaks down into harmless substances, eliminating the persistent pollution problem associated with conventional petroleum-based solvents
3Object-affected harmful factors
If aqueous extraction is used, then safety and biodegradability are improved, but extraction yield and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the extraction capability of aqueous systems by using coconut water instead of plain water. The unique compositional parameters of coconut water (including sugars, amino acids, and other bioactive compounds) create a solvent system that maintains safety and biodegradability while significantly improving extraction yield for various plant compounds
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite solvent system by using coconut water, which combines the safety and biodegradability of aqueous solvents with enhanced extraction properties. The complex composition of coconut water (containing multiple functional components) provides both safe disposal characteristics and improved extraction efficiency compared to simple water
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
Coconut water effectively increases the yield of extraction, particularly for molecules like terpenes and flavonoids, providing a biodegradable and low-toxicity solution suitable for cosmetic, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical applications.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention relates to the use of coconut water as a solvent for extracting compounds, particularly for the preparation of active ingredients
Implementation Method 2
The extraction step can be assisted by microwaves or ultrasound
Implementation Method 3
The extraction step can be assisted by microwaves or ultrasound
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the use of coconut water as an extraction solvent, to extraction methods using coconut water and to the extracts obtained by extraction with coconut water.