Deep Eutectic Solvent Extraction of Lipophilic Compounds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biological extraction methods using conventional solvents face challenges such as environmental impact from volatile organic compounds, cost-effectiveness issues with supercritical fluids, and limited solubility of lipophilic compounds in water-based solvents, necessitating improved methods for obtaining high-quality biological extracts with enhanced proportions of lipophilic compounds.
Innovation Solution
The use of Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) in combination with water to extract solid biological extracts from plant, algal, animal, and prokaryotic materials, where the DES forms a hydrotropic solution that increases the solubility of lipophilic compounds, allowing for their precipitation and collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional organic solvents (alcohols, acetone, hexane) are used for extraction, then extraction efficiency is improved, but environmental harm increases due to volatile organic compound emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extraction solvent from conventional organic solvents to Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) composed of choline chloride and organic acids. This parameter change maintains extraction efficiency while eliminating volatile organic compound emissions, as DES are non-volatile and environmentally benign
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite solvent systems combining choline chloride with various organic acids (acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid) to create DES with tailored properties. This composite approach allows optimization of both extraction efficiency and environmental compatibility by selecting appropriate acid components
2Object-generated harmful factors
If water is used as extraction solvent, then environmental impact is reduced and renewability is improved, but extraction of lipophilic compounds is limited due to high polarity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces Deep Eutectic Solvents as intermediary substances between water and lipophilic compounds. DES act as mediators that bridge the polarity gap, enabling water-based extraction of lipophilic compounds through their amphiphilic nature and ability to form inclusion complexes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the polarity parameters of the aqueous extraction system by adding DES components. The choline chloride-organic acid complexes create microenvironments with adjusted polarity that accommodate both hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds, expanding the extraction profile beyond pure water limitations
3Object-generated harmful factors
If supercritical fluids (carbon dioxide) are used for extraction, then environmental impact is reduced, but cost-effectiveness deteriorates at industrial level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive, readily available components (choline chloride and common organic acids) to create extraction solvents, replacing expensive supercritical fluid systems. The DES can be used in conventional extraction equipment without specialized high-pressure apparatus, significantly reducing capital and operational costs while maintaining environmental benefits
4Productivity
If Deep Eutectic Solvents are used to extract lipophilic compounds, then solubility enhancement is achieved, but separation and purification become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selectively extracts target lipophilic compounds from the biological material using DES, forming soluble complexes that can be separated from the solid matrix. The extraction step isolates the compounds of interest while leaving behind unwanted components, simplifying subsequent purification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent facilitates recovery of the DES solvent system from the extract through evaporation or filtration, allowing the expensive or complex solvent to be discarded or reused. The target compounds remain in the purified extract form, achieving separation without complex additional equipment
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 effectively enriches the extracts with lipophilic, hydrophobic, and non-water-soluble compounds, reducing environmental impact and improving the yield of high-quality biological extracts, while being cost-effective and efficient.
Implementation Method 1
Hydrotropes are water-soluble organic compounds which, at and above a certain concentration, known as 'MHC' (Minimum Hydrotropic Concentration), provide a significant increase in the solubility of organic compounds that are practically insoluble in water under normal conditions.
Implementation Method 2
It is believed that a hydrotropic molecule interacts with molecules that are poorly soluble in aqueous solutions via van der Waals interactions such as π-π or attractive dipole-dipole interaction
Implementation Method 3
The MHC can be determined using several physicochemical methods such as measurement of surface tension, conductivity, dynamic and static light scattering
Implementation Method 4
Natural molecules, such as that present in plant materials, can be extracted, solubilized and/or stabilized by a wide variety of liquid organic solvents
Data Source
AI summary
The present in relates to methods and uses for preparing biological extracts using Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) as hydrotropic agents, methods for purifying biological extracts formed using Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) as hydrotropic agents, the biological extractions obtained using the methods and uses and the use of the biological extracts, such as in food-stuffs, flavours and fragrances, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, nutraceuticals and supplements, such as food supplements and sports supplements.