Fermented Spent Coffee Grounds Extraction With Green Solvents
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for extracting coffee oil from spent coffee grounds using hexane are inefficient, pose health and environmental risks, and fail to extract polar compounds like polyphenols, necessitating a safer and more effective extraction technique.
Innovation Solution
A method involving fermentation of spent coffee grounds with Penicillium and Mucor fungi, followed by Soxhlet or CO2 extraction using green solvents like ethanol and acetone, enhances coffee oil yield and extracts polar compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hexane extraction is used to extract coffee oil from spent coffee grounds, then extraction yield is improved (10-20% of coffee oil), but harmful factors increase due to health and environmental risks and inability to extract polar compounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the extraction solvent from hexane (non-polar, harmful) to green solvents like ethanol and acetone (polar, safe). This parameter change enables both safe extraction and simultaneous extraction of polar compounds including polyphenols, while maintaining high extraction yields through the preliminary fermentation step that modifies the matrix properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fermentation as an intermediary step before extraction. The fermentation process with selected microorganisms modifies the spent coffee grounds matrix, making coffee oil more accessible to green solvents. This intermediary biological treatment enables subsequent efficient extraction with safe solvents, resolving the contradiction between safety and efficiency
2Object-affected harmful factors
If safer solvents are used to replace hexane, then harmful factors are reduced, but extraction yield decreases (approx. 14% of coffee oil)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary fermentation action to the spent coffee grounds before extraction. This pre-treatment modifies the matrix structure and increases coffee oil accessibility, ensuring that when green solvents are used, they can achieve high extraction yields comparable to or exceeding hexane extraction, thereby eliminating the yield penalty associated with safer solvents
3Productivity
If hexane is used as solvent, then coffee oil extraction efficiency is improved, but polar compounds like polyphenols are not extracted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves multi-functionality in the extraction process. The fermented spent coffee grounds can be extracted with green solvents that simultaneously extract both non-polar coffee oil and polar polyphenolic compounds. This universal extraction approach with a single solvent system replaces the need for separate extraction processes, maximizing the value obtained from spent coffee grounds
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 a coffee oil yield comparable to hexane extraction without its risks, with higher yields of coffee oil and polyphenols, producing a high-quality extract suitable for cosmetic and nutritional applications.
Implementation Method 1
fermenting the inoculated coffee grounds obtained in step ii) for at least 24 h
Implementation Method 2
The cell wall degradation and the hydrolysis of the coffee oil by the fungi
Implementation Method 3
hydrolysis of the coffee oil by the fungi
Implementation Method 4
CO 2 extraction
Implementation Method 5
Soxhlet extraction
Implementation Method 6
The solvent is evaporated and condensed repeatedly
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for extracting coffee oil from spent coffee grounds, to compositions comprising coffee oil, obtained by or obtainable by such a method, and to cosmetic products comprising such a composition.