Liquefied Dimethyl Ether Lipid Fractionation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for extracting lipids from microbial biomass, such as solvent extraction and supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, do not effectively fractionate lipids to separate saturated and highly unsaturated fatty acids, requiring additional purification steps and high energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The use of liquefied dimethyl ether as a solvent for lipid extraction from microbial biomass, which exhibits separation selectivity, allowing for the fractionation of lipids based on fatty acid composition by varying the fractionation time, enabling the separation of saturated and highly unsaturated fatty acids without the need for cell disruption or solvent removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional solvent extraction methods are used to extract lipids from microbial biomass, then complete extraction of lipid contents is achieved, but additional purification steps are required and energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the extraction solvent by using liquefied dimethyl ether instead of conventional organic solvents. This parameter change allows the solvent to be easily removed by pressure reduction without heating, eliminating the energy-consuming drying step while maintaining complete lipid extraction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition property of dimethyl ether between liquid and gas states. By controlling pressure, the solvent transitions from liquid state during extraction to gas state for easy removal, avoiding thermal processing and reducing energy consumption while achieving complete extraction
2Quantity of substance
If conventional solvent extraction methods are used, then lipid extraction is achieved, but lipid oxidation occurs due to heating requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the removal mechanism parameter from thermal evaporation to pressure-based phase transition. This eliminates heating during solvent removal, preventing lipid oxidation while maintaining extraction efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Dimethyl ether provides an inert atmosphere during extraction and removal processes, preventing oxidative degradation of lipids. The solvent system creates an oxygen-excluded environment that protects sensitive lipid components from oxidation
3Quantity of substance
If conventional solvent extraction is used, then all oil contents are extracted, but separation of saturated and highly unsaturated fatty acids is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the extraction process into multiple stages with varying parameters. By conducting extractions at different temperatures and pressures, the process separates lipids into fractions based on their fatty acid composition, achieving both complete extraction and precise fractionation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic parameter adjustment during the extraction process. By varying temperature and pressure conditions across different extraction stages, the system dynamically optimizes selectivity for different lipid fractions, enabling separation of saturated and highly unsaturated fatty acids
4Manufacturing precision
If additional purification steps are added to fractionate lipids, then fatty acid separation is improved, but process complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the extraction process multi-functional by designing it to simultaneously achieve complete lipid extraction and fractionation in the same system. The extraction apparatus performs both functions through parameter variation, eliminating the need for separate purification equipment and reducing overall process complexity
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 allows for the efficient separation and concentration of highly unsaturated fatty acids during extraction, reducing energy costs and minimizing lipid oxidation, and can be used independently of the type of microorganism, facilitating the production of high-quality lipids with altered fatty acid compositions.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting microbial biomass to extraction using liquefied dimethyl ether as a solvent by making use of the separation selectivity of the liquefied dimethyl ether for lipids
Data Source
AI summary
[Problem] Provision of a method for fractionating lipids using liquefied dimethyl ether as a solvent.[Means for Solving] To provide a method for fractionating a lipid using liquefied dimethyl ether as a solvent. [Solution] A method for fractionating a lipid, which comprises subjecting a microbial biomass to extraction using liquefied dimethyl ether as a solvent and then fractionating the lipid utilizing separation selectivity for the lipid. A method for producing a lipid, which comprises subjecting a microbial biomass to extraction using liquefied dimethyl ether as a solvent, then fractionating a portion of the lipid utilizing separation selectivity for the lipid to modify the fatty acid composition of the remainder of the lipid which remains in the microbial biomass, and then extracting the lipid having a modified fatty acid composition.