High Purity Collagen Extraction via Acidic Swelling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for isolating collagen from connective tissues require repetitive acidic or enzymatic treatments, prolonging the process and resulting in low collagen yields due to the need for multiple purification steps.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the production of a collagen matrix from connective tissue through swelling with an acidic solution and subsequent washing to remove non-collagenous material, followed by extraction with a suitable solution to obtain high purity collagen, which includes steps like soaking, ultrasound treatment, and the use of acidic or neutral extraction solutions to dissolve collagen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If repetitive acidic or enzymatic treatments are used to improve collagen purity, then collagen purity is improved, but the isolation process duration increases and collagen yield decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollagen purityVSAvoidisolation process duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing a single acidic treatment to swell the connective tissue and create a porous matrix structure before extraction. This pre-swelling step facilitates subsequent collagen extraction without requiring multiple repetitive purification treatments, thereby reducing overall process time while maintaining high purity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent separates the collagen isolation process into two distinct stages: (1) creating a porous matrix through acidic swelling, and (2) extracting collagen from this matrix. This extraction approach allows collagen to be obtained in high purity from the pre-formed porous structure without needing repetitive treatment cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If repetitive acidic or enzymatic treatments are used to improve collagen purity, then collagen purity is improved, but collagen yield decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollagen purityVSAvoidcollagen yield
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The single acidic swelling treatment creates a porous matrix that preserves collagen integrity while enabling efficient extraction. This preliminary structuring prevents collagen degradation that occurs in repetitive treatments, thereby maintaining higher collagen yield alongside high purity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By extracting collagen from a pre-formed porous matrix rather than through repetitive purification of intact tissue, the method maximizes collagen recovery. The porous structure facilitates complete collagen release without the losses associated with multiple treatment cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Quantity of substance

If conventional isolation methods are used, then collagen can be obtained, but the process complexity increases and duration extends

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollagen productionVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the collagen isolation process into two distinct functional stages: matrix formation through acidic swelling, and collagen extraction from the matrix. This segmentation simplifies the overall process by separating structure creation from substance extraction, reducing process complexity compared to conventional repetitive treatment methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 reduces the complexity and duration of collagen purification, increasing yields and producing high purity collagen without disrupting the fibrous network, allowing for the production of various collagen forms like powders, sponges, and membranes.

Implementation Method 1

swelling the connective tissue with a first acidic solution by at least 50% (e.g., 100% to 500%) in volume to form a swollen connective tissue

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcidic swelling:

Implementation Method 2

The washing step can be performed by soaking the swollen connective tissue in a wash solution containing a detergent, a proteolytic enzyme, or a mixture thereof, during the soaking process, the swollen connective tissue can be subjected to ultrasound treatment or liquid-squirting treatment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasound treatment: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 3

The collagen matrix is then soaked in an extraction solution to form a collagen-containing solution. The extraction solution can be an acidic solution containing a weak organic acid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCollagen dissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 4

In one example, the collagen is precipitated by dialysis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDialysis:

Implementation Method 5

In another example, it is precipitated by mixing the solution with a salt to a concentration of 1.0-4.0 M

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSalting-out: Precipitation

Implementation Method 6

In yet another example, the collagen is precipitated by adjusting the pH of the collagen-containing solution to 4.5-8

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIsoelectric precipitation: Precipitation

Implementation Method 7

The collagen thus prepared can be freeze-dried, air-dried, or vacuum-dried to form collagen powders, sponges, sheets, or membranes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFreeze-drying: Freeze Drying

Data Source

PatentUS7964704B2Preparation of high purity collagen
Publication Date: 2011.06.21 FM&G BIOMED CO LTD

AI summary

A method of preparing collagen by first producing a collagen matrix and then extracting collagen from the matrix.