Cyclodextrin Separation of Nonpolar Extracts for Alcohol-Free Formulations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for extracting nonpolar organic substances, such as flavorings and oils, from ethanolic extracts are inefficient, environmentally harmful, and result in ethanol residues, making it difficult to produce alcohol-free products that meet regulatory standards.

Innovation Solution

A method using cyclodextrins to form reversible complexes with nonpolar organic substances, followed by enzymatic treatment to selectively separate and concentrate these substances without ethanol, preserving the natural flavor profile.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional solvent extraction methods are used to extract nonpolar organic substances, then extraction efficiency is improved, but ethanol residues remain in the product making it impossible to achieve alcohol-free status

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidalcohol-free status

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses cyclodextrins as intermediary substances to transfer nonpolar organic substances from the ethanolic extract to an aqueous phase. The cyclodextrins form inclusion complexes with the nonpolar substances, enabling their selective extraction without requiring organic solvents. This mediator approach allows complete separation from ethanol while maintaining extraction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the solvent system parameters by replacing organic solvents with cyclodextrin-based aqueous systems. By adjusting the cyclodextrin concentration and using enzymatic treatment to degrade the cyclodextrins after extraction, the process achieves both high extraction efficiency and complete ethanol removal, enabling alcohol-free product certification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high temperatures are used during extraction and solvent evaporation, then extraction speed and efficiency are improved, but thermally labile flavor compounds are destroyed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction speedVSAvoiddestruction of thermally labile compounds

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces thermal extraction methods with a cyclodextrin-based complexation method that occurs at ambient or mild temperatures. The cyclodextrins selectively bind nonpolar organic substances through molecular inclusion rather than thermal extraction, preserving thermally sensitive flavor compounds while maintaining extraction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the extraction mechanism from thermal to molecular complexation. By using cyclodextrins that form stable inclusion complexes with nonpolar substances at low temperatures, and subsequently degrading the cyclodextrins enzymatically, the process achieves fast extraction without thermal damage to labile compounds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If large quantities of organic solvents are used for extraction, then extraction capacity is improved, but environmental harm and processing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction capacityVSAvoidenvironmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the solvent parameter from organic to aqueous-based cyclodextrin systems. The cyclodextrins provide high extraction capacity for nonpolar substances through their hydrophobic cavities, while being environmentally benign and biodegradable. The aqueous nature of the system eliminates the environmental hazards associated with organic solvents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs cyclodextrins that can be degraded by common enzymes after extraction. This allows the use of sufficient quantities for high extraction capacity without long-term environmental persistence, as the cyclodextrins are broken down into harmless sugars after serving their extraction function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Quantity of substance

If rectification is used to remove ethanol, then alcohol content is reduced, but flavor compounds are lost due to azeotrope formation and thermal degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveethanol removalVSAvoidflavor compound loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses cyclodextrins as intermediaries to selectively bind nonpolar flavor compounds and transfer them to the aqueous phase before ethanol removal. This prevents flavor compounds from co-evaporating with ethanol or being lost in azeotrope formation, as they are already complexed with cyclodextrins in the aqueous phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary extraction of flavor compounds using cyclodextrins before any ethanol removal steps. By pre-complexing the flavor substances with cyclodextrins in the aqueous phase, the subsequent ethanol removal (by evaporation or other means) does not affect the flavor compounds, which are already separated and protected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables the production of alcohol-free products with preserved flavor profiles by selectively extracting nonpolar organic substances at mild temperatures, reducing solvent use and costs, and maintaining the integrity of volatile and non-volatile compounds.

Implementation Method 1

cyclodextrins to form reversible complexes with nonpolar organic substances

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInclusion complex formation: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

enzymatic treatment to selectively separate and concentrate these substances

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzymatic hydrolysis: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentEP4247184B1Method for selectively separating at least one organic substance comprising at least one apolar group, and use of said substance in a food, luxury food, cosmetic, or pharmaceutical product

Publication Date: 2026.02.25 DOHLER GMBH

Figure 1(a)~1(d)
Figure 2(a)~2(d)
Figure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for selectively separating at least one apolar organic substance, having the steps of: (a) providing a starting mixture (10) which contains at least one organic substance (1) comprising at least one apolar group and optionally a solvent (3; 4; 40), (b) bringing the starting mixture into contact with at least one cyclodextrin (2), thereby obtaining a cyclodextrin-aromatic substance complex (12), and optionally (c) separating the complex (12) from the liquid phase and (d) treating the separated complex (12), in particular enzymatically, and optionally filtering the resulting mixture, wherein a composition (6) loaded with at least one organic substance comprising at least one apolar group is obtained. The invention also relates to a composition (6) loaded with at least one organic substance (1) comprising at least one apolar group and to the use of said composition (6) in order to introduce at least one apolar organic substance (1) into a food, a luxury food, cosmetic product, or pharmaceutical product.