Plant Cuticular Wax Separation by pH and Temperature Shifts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for extracting and refining natural waxes from agricultural biomass, such as cereal straws, face challenges due to low wax content and dilution in aqueous solutions, resulting in low yields and poor quality products unsuitable for applications like cosmetics, and current refining techniques are harsh and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method involving mechanical and enzymatic treatment to disassociate cuticular wax, followed by temperature and pH adjustment to precipitate and separate wax from an aqueous suspension, yielding a highly pure wax product with minimal solvent content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional extraction methods are used to extract wax from agricultural biomass, then the process is simple, but the wax content is low and the product quality is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting pH to specific ranges (acidic pH 2-4 or alkaline pH 8-10) and controlling temperature (room temperature to 100°C) to optimize wax extraction efficiency and product quality. These parameter adjustments enable effective separation of wax from biomass while maintaining high purity and suitable physical properties for downstream applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions by heating the aqueous suspension to melt the wax (above its melting point) and then cooling it to allow solidification and separation. This phase change enables the wax to transition from solid in biomass to liquid in suspension and back to solid purified wax, achieving effective extraction and purification.
2Productivity
If harsh basic treatment is used to extract wax from plant material, then extraction efficiency is improved, but the wax composition is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using mild acidic or alkaline conditions (pH 2-4 or pH 8-10) instead of harsh basic treatment. This controlled pH adjustment maintains wax composition integrity while achieving effective extraction. The mild conditions prevent hydrolysis of ester components and preserve the structural integrity of wax molecules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the natural acidity or alkalinity of plant materials into a beneficial feature by adjusting pH to match or enhance the natural properties of the biomass. This approach avoids the need for harsh external chemicals and uses the material's inherent characteristics to facilitate extraction while preserving composition.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If aqueous solution is used to extract wax from plant material, then the process is environmentally friendly, but the wax becomes diluted and recovery yield is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions by heating the aqueous suspension to melt the wax and then cooling it to allow solidification and separation. This phase change enables the wax to transition from solid in biomass to liquid in suspension and back to solid purified wax, achieving effective extraction and purification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting pH to specific ranges (acidic pH 2-4 or alkaline pH 8-10) and controlling temperature (room temperature to 100°C) to optimize wax extraction efficiency and product quality. These parameter adjustments enable effective separation of wax from biomass while maintaining high purity and suitable physical properties for downstream applications.
4Quantity of substance
If mechanical and enzymatic treatment is used to disassociate cuticular wax, then extraction effectiveness is improved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing mechanical treatment (cutting, grinding, or chopping) and enzymatic treatment before the actual wax extraction. These preliminary steps break down the plant material structure and release cuticular wax from the biomass matrix, making the subsequent extraction more effective and efficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses enzymes as intermediaries to facilitate the breakdown of plant material and release of cuticular wax. The enzymes act as biological catalysts that mediate the decomposition of cell walls and tissue structures, enabling efficient wax release without requiring harsh mechanical or chemical 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 recovery of cuticular wax with improved purity and quality, suitable for downstream applications, overcoming the limitations of conventional techniques by concentrating and refining wax effectively from agricultural biomass.
Implementation Method 1
solubilizing said plant derived cuticular wax by increasing the temperature of the sample obtained in step (b) to a temperature greater than the melting point of said plant derived cuticular wax
Implementation Method 2
adjusting the pH and temperature of the liquid fraction from step (d) to pH 5 or lower and 50° C. or lower, respectively; separating the mixture obtained in step (e) into a waxy fraction and an aqueous fraction
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a method of extracting and refining wax from plant material. Briefly, the method comprises the steps of (a) providing plant material comprising cuticular wax, (b) disassociating cuticular wax from the plant material by subjecting said plant material to a dry mechanical treatment and suspending the dry mechanically treated material, or a fraction thereof, in an aqueous solution comprising protease and/or pectinase enzymes, thereby obtaining a sample comprising plant derived cuticular wax and dewaxed plant material in an aqueous suspension, (c) solubilizing the plant derived cuticular wax by increasing the temperature of the sample, (d) separating the suspension into a solid fraction and a liquid fraction comprising melted plant derived cuticular wax, (e) adjusting the pH and temperature of the liquid fraction to pH 5.5 or lower and 50° C. or lower, respectively, (f) separating the mixture into a waxy fraction and an aqueous fraction, (g) recovering the plant derived cuticular wax from the waxy fraction.