Gallated Epicatechin Separation via Isonicotinic Acid Complex
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating gallated epicatechins (EGCG & ECG) from green tea extract or green tea dust are not efficient in achieving high purity and yield, as they do not utilize isonicotinic acid to form a hydrated complex, which is essential for effective liberation and purification of these compounds.
Innovation Solution
The process involves forming a hydrated gallated epicatechins (EGCG & ECG)-isonicotinic acid complex using isonicotinic acid, followed by the use of water miscible and immiscible solvents, and treatment with a brine solution to remove insoluble materials, including steps like dissolving, concentrating, precipitating, filtering, slurrying, washing, extracting, and freeze drying to achieve high purity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional separation methods are used for gallated epicatechins, then the process is simpler, but the purity and yield are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces isonicotinic acid as an intermediary substance that forms a hydrated complex with gallated epicatechins. This complex acts as a mediator that enables selective precipitation and separation of EGCG and ECG from the green tea extract, achieving high purity (>97%) that conventional methods cannot attain. The intermediary compound facilitates the separation process by creating a distinct chemical form that can be selectively isolated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting pH levels and using specific solvents (water-miscible and water-immiscible) to control the formation and dissolution of the hydrated complex. By changing the chemical environment parameters, the gallated epicatechins are transformed into a separable complex form, then recovered in high purity through controlled parameter adjustments during the separation process.
2Productivity
If conventional separation methods are used, then the process is faster, but the yield of gallated epicatechins is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first forming the hydrated complex with isonicotinic acid before performing the separation. This preliminary complexation step prepares the gallated epicatechins in a form that is optimized for subsequent separation and recovery, ensuring maximum yield. The preliminary formation of the complex prevents loss of target compounds during the separation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses extraction with water-immiscible solvents to take out the hydrated complex from the aqueous phase. This extraction step efficiently transfers the complex into the organic phase, separating it from impurities and enabling high-yield recovery of gallated epicatechins after solvent removal and decomposition of the complex.
3Manufacturing precision
If isonicotinic acid complex formation is used, then purity is improved, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces isonicotinic acid as an intermediary substance that forms a hydrated complex with gallated epicatechins. This complex acts as a mediator that enables selective precipitation and separation of EGCG and ECG from the green tea extract, achieving high purity (>97%) that conventional methods cannot attain. The intermediary compound facilitates the separation process by creating a distinct chemical form that can be selectively isolated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting pH levels and using specific solvents (water-miscible and water-immiscible) to control the formation and dissolution of the hydrated complex. By changing the chemical environment parameters, the gallated epicatechins are transformed into a separable complex form, then recovered in high purity through controlled parameter adjustments during the separation process.
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 results in a high-yielding process that achieves >97% purity of gallated epicatechins, with >75% EGCG and >20% ECG, as confirmed by XRPD and HPLC analysis, providing a more effective separation and purification of these valuable compounds.
Implementation Method 1
forming a hydrated gallated epicatechins (EGCG & ECG)-isonicotinic acid complex using isonicotinic acid
Implementation Method 2
concentrating by centrifugation
Implementation Method 3
freeze drying to obtain >97% purity of gallated epicatechins
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an improved process for the separation of gallated epicatechins (EGCG & ECG) from green tea extract or green tea dust. The present invention specifically relates to an improved process for the separation of gallated epicatechins (EGCG & ECG) from green tea extract or green tea dust by forming hydrated gallated epicatechins (EGCG & ECG)-isonicotinic acid complex using isonicotinic acid as acid, organic solvents for liberating gallated epicatechins. The present invention more specifically relates to the process for the separation of gallated epicatechins (EGCG & ECG) from green tea extract or green tea dust, wherein processes comprises steps of dissolving, concentrating by centrifugation, adding, precipitating, filtering, slurrying, removing supernatant liquid, washing, extracting and freeze drying. The present invention also relates to hydrated gallated epicatechins (EGCG & ECG)-isonicotinic acid complex.