Flaxseed Meal Extraction Using Subcritical Composite Solvent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for extracting flaxseed components, such as flax lignan and oil, are inefficient, environmentally harmful, and require significant equipment and expertise, while the comprehensive utilization of flaxseed meal resources is not fully exploited.
Innovation Solution
A method using a subcritical composite solvent, comprising n-butane and anhydrous ethanol, extracts flaxseed lignan and oil simultaneously, followed by hot water extraction to obtain flaxseed gum, utilizing a series of purification steps to achieve high purity and yield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If organic solvent extraction method is used to extract flax lignan, then the operation is simple and equipment requirements are low, but the consumption of organic solvent is high, extraction time is long, and yield is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the extraction parameters by using subcritical water extraction instead of organic solvents. By adjusting temperature (60-100°C) and pressure parameters, the method achieves high extraction yield of flax lignan while avoiding organic solvent consumption, thus resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and extraction productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical mixing and prolonged extraction processes of organic solvent methods with a subcritical water extraction system that uses heated pressurized water. This substitution reduces extraction time and increases yield while maintaining operational simplicity through automated pressure and temperature control
2Loss of time
If microwave-assisted or ultrasonic-assisted extraction method is used, then extraction time is shortened and extraction rate is increased, but equipment requirements and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses subcritical water extraction where temperature and pressure parameters are adjusted to achieve rapid extraction without requiring complex microwave or ultrasonic equipment. The method achieves short extraction times through optimized thermal parameters while using simpler, more affordable equipment, thus resolving the contradiction between time efficiency and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces subcritical water as an intermediary extraction medium that facilitates rapid extraction of flax lignan without requiring direct application of microwave or ultrasonic energy. This intermediary approach achieves fast extraction rates while avoiding the complex equipment requirements of direct microwave or ultrasonic methods
3Productivity
If supercritical CO2 extraction method is used, then yield is high and quality is excellent, but industrial production cost is high and professional operations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive supercritical CO2 extraction equipment and specialized professional operations with a simpler subcritical water extraction system. The method uses readily available water as the extraction medium, significantly reducing equipment costs and operational requirements while maintaining high extraction yield and quality, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the complex supercritical CO2 extraction system with a simpler subcritical water extraction system. By using heated pressurized water instead of supercritical CO2, the method achieves comparable or superior extraction yield while dramatically reducing equipment costs and operational complexity, making the process suitable for industrial production
4Ease of manufacture
If pressing method is used to extract flaxseed oil, then processing is simple, but yield is low and processing capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the simplicity of mechanical pressing with the high efficiency of subcritical water extraction by using a two-stage process. First, subcritical water extraction is used to efficiently extract oil and active components from flaxseed meal, then the extracted material can be processed further. This combination achieves high processing capacity while maintaining operational simplicity through the integration of multiple extraction methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the extraction parameters from mechanical pressing to subcritical water extraction with controlled temperature and pressure. This parameter change enables significantly higher processing capacity and yield while maintaining simplicity through automated control of extraction conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and productivity
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 purity flax lignan and oil with reduced environmental impact, lower operational costs, and simpler equipment requirements, while ensuring the quality of extracted components.
Implementation Method 1
adding an extraction agent to flaxseed meal for subcritical extraction
Implementation Method 2
the anhydrous ethanol is added to adjust the polarity of the composite solvent, so that the dissolution of polar phenols in the flax meal is facilitated
Implementation Method 3
the obtained crude lignan extract is subjected to rotary evaporation to remove the residual extraction agent
Implementation Method 4
then subjected to centrifugation to obtain a supernatant containing a lignan polymer
Implementation Method 5
subjecting the flaxseed meal used after step (1) to hot water extraction to obtain flaxseed gum
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed in the present disclosure is a method for extracting and separating various components from flaxseed meal based on a subcritical composite solvent, including the following steps: adding an extraction agent to flaxseed meal for subcritical extraction to obtain a crude flax lignan extract and crude flaxseed oil in one step, where the extraction agent includes n-butane and anhydrous ethanol at a volume ratio of 1:1; adding n-hexane to the crude flaxseed oil for fractional extraction, and conducting rotary evaporation to obtain flaxseed oil; and subjecting the flaxseed meal used to hot water extraction to obtain flaxseed gum. In the present disclosure, the subcritical composite solvent used in an extraction process can replace a large number of organic reagents used in a traditional extraction process, and has the characteristics of good solvent effect, environmental friendliness, recyclability, and low burden on the environment.