Gallic Acid Aqueous Concentrate via Tannase-Assisted Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for obtaining gallic acid are inefficient, resulting in low yields and are material- and cost-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A process involving tannase enzyme treatment, ethanol deactivation, and evaporative concentration to produce an aqueous concentrate with high gallic acid content, using crushed and dried plant materials, including a percolation process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If aqueous extraction processes are used to obtain gallic acid, then extraction can be performed with simple equipment, but the yield of gallic acid is low and the process is material and apparatus intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveyield of gallic acidVSAvoidmaterial and apparatus intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces tannase enzyme as an intermediary substance to catalyze the hydrolysis of tannic acid into gallic acid. This enzymatic mediator enables selective and efficient extraction of gallic acid from plant materials, significantly improving yield while reducing the need for complex extraction equipment and large amounts of solvents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs polar organic solvents (such as ethanol or methanol) to change the extraction parameters from traditional aqueous systems. This parameter change enhances the solubility and extraction efficiency of gallic acid, leading to higher yields and reduced material intensity while maintaining relatively simple apparatus requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If traditional aqueous extraction is used, then the process is simple to operate, but it requires large amounts of material and apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of gallic acid productionVSAvoidmaterial intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The tannase enzyme acts as a biological intermediary that specifically catalyzes the conversion of tannic acid to gallic acid. This targeted enzymatic action大幅提高 extraction efficiency and reduces the quantity of plant material and solvents needed compared to traditional non-selective aqueous extraction methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical extraction methods with bio-enzymatic catalysis. The tannase enzyme system substitutes for complex mechanical separation and multiple extraction stages, achieving higher efficiency with reduced material consumption and simpler operational procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If enzyme tannase is used in extractive treatment, then gallic acid can be obtained in high concentrations, but the enzyme needs to be deactivated requiring additional steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcentration of gallic acidVSAvoidprocess steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transition by adding polar organic solvents that cause protein precipitation and enzyme deactivation. This phase change effectively stops the enzymatic reaction and separates the enzyme from the extract, achieving high gallic acid concentration while managing the additional processing step through a straightforward physical mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of enzyme persistence (which could continue unwanted reactions or complicate purification) into a benefit by deliberately deactivating the enzyme through controlled precipitation. This converts the enzyme from a continuing active agent into a easily removable precipitate, simplifying the final extract while maintaining high gallic acid concentration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

Achieves high yields of gallic acid in an efficient and cost-effective manner, producing an aqueous concentrate suitable for food and supplements with high antioxidant capacity.

Implementation Method 1

extractive treatment of the plants or plant components obtained according to step a) and/or d), in particular or, in particular comminuted, with water or an aqueous system in the presence of the enzyme tannase (IUB 3.1.1.20) to obtain a product mixture containing gallic acid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme catalysis: Enzyme

Implementation Method 2

The treatment with the polar organic solvent, in particular ethanol, or, or in particular additionally, the treatment with heat regularly deactivates the tannase enzyme

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectProtein denaturation:

Implementation Method 3

The treatment with the polar organic solvent, in particular ethanol, or, or in particular additionally, the treatment with heat regularly deactivates the tannase enzyme

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal denaturation: Heat Treatment

Implementation Method 4

The treatment with the polar organic solvent, in particular ethanol, or, or in particular additionally, the treatment with heat regularly deactivates the tannase enzyme. This is also done in particular by reacting the product mixture with the at least one polar organic solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Data Source

PatentEP4000414B1Method for producing an extract containing gallic acid, aqueous concentrate containing gallic acid and use of the aqueous concentrate in food and dietary supplements
Publication Date: 2026.05.20 RED BULL GMBH

AI summary

The present invention relates to a process for producing an extract containing gallic acid, comprising the extraction treatment of plants or plant components containing tannins with water or an aqueous system in the presence of the enzyme tannase to obtain a product mixture containing gallic acid, and a process for producing an extract containing gallic acid, comprising the extraction treatment of plants or plant components containing tannins with a mixture containing a polar organic solvent and water to obtain a product mixture containing polyphenols, separating the plants or plant components from the product mixture to obtain a liquid extract, removing the polar organic solvent from the liquid extract, and treating the aqueous extract with the enzyme tannase to obtain an aqueous system containing gallic acid.Furthermore, the invention relates to an aqueous concentrate containing gallic acid, characterized by a dry matter content in the range of 5 to 80 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the aqueous concentrate. Finally, the invention relates to a food or food supplement containing the aqueous concentrate.