Corrinoid Silica Phase for Cyanide Detection Sensitivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting cyanide are not sensitive enough to detect levels below the World Health Organization's guideline value of 0.05 mg/l in drinking water and struggle with simultaneous detection of cyanide and thiocyanate, as well as detecting cyanide in foodstuffs and cigarette smoke.

Innovation Solution

A method using corrinoid compounds, such as cobalamine, cobyrinic acid ester derivatives, and cobinamide adsorbed on a non-polar solid silica phase for colorimetric detection, which enhances sensitivity and selectivity by extracting and concentrating cyanide, allowing for visual detection below the guideline value and simultaneous detection of cyanide and thiocyanate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional optical detection methods are used for cyanide detection, then the detection process is simple, but the sensitivity is insufficient to detect levels below 0.05 mg/l

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a solid phase extraction column with porous silica material that has been impregnated with corrinoid compounds. The porous structure provides a large surface area for the corrinoid compounds to interact with cyanide molecules, enabling sensitive detection at concentrations below the WHO guideline value of 0.05 mg/l while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite system by combining corrinoid compounds (such as cobalamine, cobyrinic acid ester derivatives, and cobinamide) with a solid phase silica support. This composite material leverages the high affinity of corrinoids for cyanide and the porous structure of silica to achieve enhanced sensitivity and selectivity in cyanide detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional detection methods are used, then the detection process is straightforward, but simultaneous detection of cyanide and thiocyanate is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimultaneous detection capabilityVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The solid phase extraction column with corrinoid-impregnated silica serves multiple functions simultaneously: it extracts and concentrates cyanide from the sample, and the corrinoid compounds provide colorimetric detection for both cyanide and thiocyanate. This multi-functional approach enables simultaneous detection of both cyanide and thiocyanate in a single operation without requiring separate detection systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes colorimetric detection based on the interaction between corrinoid compounds and cyanide/thiocyanate ions, which produces observable color changes. This allows for simultaneous visual detection of both cyanide and thiocyanate in the same sample without requiring complex instrumental analysis, maintaining simplicity while achieving versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Measurement precision

If corrinoid compounds are adsorbed on solid phase, then sensitivity increases up to 130 times, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidsolid phase extraction system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a solid phase extraction column with porous silica material that has been impregnated with corrinoid compounds. The porous structure provides a large surface area for the corrinoid compounds to interact with cyanide molecules, enabling sensitive detection at concentrations below the WHO guideline value of 0.05 mg/l while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The solid phase extraction column is designed to be reusable and self-regenerating. The corrinoid-impregnated silica can be washed and regenerated for multiple cycles of cyanide detection, reducing the need for disposable components and simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining high sensitivity throughout its operational life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 up to 130 times higher sensitivity for cyanide detection compared to optical methods, enabling visual detection of cyanide at concentrations as low as 0.03 mg/l and simultaneous detection of cyanide and thiocyanate, with minimal interference from other ions, making it suitable for drinking water, food, and cigarette smoke analysis.

Implementation Method 1

a corrinoid compound is adsorbed on a non-polar solid C4-C18 silica phase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

determining a color change of a corrinoid compound caused upon direct contact with said sample

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectColor change: Photochromism

Data Source

PatentEP2694958B1Optical detection of cyanides, method, kit and device
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 CYANOGUARD AG
  • EP2694958B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2694958B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~3
  • EP2694958B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~5b

AI summary

A method for selective detection of cyanide in a sample comprises determining a color change of a corrinoid compound caused upon contact with the sample. A high detection sensitivity and selectivity are achieved by having the corrinoid compound adsorbed on a solid phase. This general principle is applied in a kit for selective detection of cyanide and to uses thereof. One application consists in a device for removing hydrogen cyanide from a gaseous phase, e.g. tobacco smoke.