Fucoxanthin Purification Using Absorbents to Remove Heavy Metals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing fucoxanthin from seaweeds face challenges due to low content in raw materials, ease of decomposition, and contamination with heavy metals and arsenic, leading to high production costs and safety concerns from using harmful solvents like dimethyl sulfoxide.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of an alcohol-water solution for extraction and absorption with absorbents like macroporous resin, polyamide, and alumina to reduce heavy metal and arsenic content, while increasing fucoxanthin concentration, ensuring product safety and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If dimethyl sulfoxide is used as extraction solvent, then fucoxanthin can be extracted from seaweeds, but harmful organic solvent remains in the product reducing safety and increasing production cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes harmful substances (heavy metals and arsenic salts) from the fucoxanthin extract through absorption processes using activated carbon and other absorbents, separating these harmful factors from the desired fucoxanthin compound to produce a safe final product
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces absorption agents (activated carbon, macroporous resin, polyamide, alumina) as intermediary substances that selectively bind to and remove harmful components from the extract, facilitating the purification process without directly contacting the final product with harmful solvents
2Quantity of substance
If dimethyl sulfoxide is used for extraction, then fucoxanthin can be obtained, but the high boiling point makes it difficult to remove the solvent by conventional operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes harmful substances (heavy metals and arsenic salts) from the fucoxanthin extract through absorption processes using activated carbon and other absorbents, separating these harmful factors from the desired fucoxanthin compound to produce a safe final product
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces absorption agents (activated carbon, macroporous resin, polyamide, alumina) as intermediary substances that selectively bind to and remove harmful components from the extract, facilitating the purification process without directly contacting the final product with harmful solvents
3Quantity of substance
If conventional extraction methods are used, then fucoxanthin can be produced, but the content of heavy metal and arsenic salt in the product does not accord with food additive standards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes harmful substances (heavy metals and arsenic salts) from the fucoxanthin extract through absorption processes using activated carbon and other absorbents, separating these harmful factors from the desired fucoxanthin compound to produce a safe final product
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces absorption agents (activated carbon, macroporous resin, polyamide, alumina) as intermediary substances that selectively bind to and remove harmful components from the extract, facilitating the purification process without directly contacting the final product with harmful solvents
4Object-affected harmful factors
If absorption process is performed to reduce heavy metals and arsenic salt, then product safety is improved, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes harmful substances (heavy metals and arsenic salts) from the fucoxanthin extract through absorption processes using activated carbon and other absorbents, separating these harmful factors from the desired fucoxanthin compound to produce a safe final product
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces absorption agents (activated carbon, macroporous resin, polyamide, alumina) as intermediary substances that selectively bind to and remove harmful components from the extract, facilitating the purification process without directly contacting the final product with harmful solvents
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 effectively increases fucoxanthin content and reduces heavy metal and arsenic levels, producing a safe and edible extract suitable for industrial production, meeting food additive standards.
Implementation Method 1
performing absorption process of the fucoxanthin extract by using absorbent to reduce the content of heavy metals and arsenic salt contained in the fucoxanthin extract
Implementation Method 2
the fucoxanthin extract is extracted from raw material containing fucoxanthin by an alcohol-water solution
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for producing fucoxanthin extract, said method comprising: performing absorption of the fucoxanthin extract by using absorbent and then performing elution to remove heavy metals and arsenic salt contained in the fucoxanthin extract, wherein the absorbent is selected from a group having macroporous resin, polyamide, activated carbon, alumina and a combination thereof. The method for producing fucoxanthin extract according to the present invention, the content of heave metal in the fucoxanthin extract can be reduced, while the content of fucoxanthin in the fucoxanthin extract can increase. In addition, the present invention also provides a fucoxanthin extract obtained by the above method, as well as fucoxanthin products containing the fucoxanthin extract.