Glycerol Monolaurate Solvent Extraction for Bioactive Compounds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solvent extraction methods for natural compounds from biological matrices are plagued by the use of toxic, flammable, and non-renewable solvents, which pose environmental and health risks, and are inefficient in terms of energy and yield.
Innovation Solution
A process using glycerol monolaurate as a solvent for extracting and formulating natural compounds from biological matrices, which is non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and effective in extracting a wide range of metabolites, including capsaicinoids and carotenoids, with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional solvent extraction methods are used, then extraction efficiency is improved, but toxicity and environmental harm increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extraction system by using deep eutectic solvents (DES) with specific hydrogen bond donor-acceptor combinations. This parameter change enables efficient extraction of bioactive compounds while eliminating the toxicity associated with traditional organic solvents, thus resolving the contradiction between extraction efficiency and environmental harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite solvent systems formed by combining hydrogen bond donors and acceptors in specific ratios to create deep eutectic solvents. These composite materials exhibit enhanced extraction capabilities compared to individual components, while maintaining non-toxic and environmentally benign properties, thereby achieving both high productivity and reduced harmful factors.
2Quantity of substance
If volatile organic solvents are used for extraction, then extraction yield is improved, but flammability and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces flammable, hazardous volatile organic solvents with non-flammable deep eutectic solvents that can be safely used and disposed of without environmental persistence concerns. The DES systems provide comparable or superior extraction yields while eliminating fire hazards and long-term environmental contamination, thus resolving the contradiction between extraction yield and safety risks.
3Speed
If conventional extraction solvents are used, then extraction speed is improved, but energy consumption and non-renewability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes naturally occurring components (amino acids, polyols, carboxylic acids) that form deep eutectic solvents through self-association via hydrogen bonding. These renewable, biodegradable solvent systems achieve efficient extraction speeds while being derived from sustainable sources, thereby resolving the contradiction between extraction speed and energy/non-renewable resource consumption.
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 process efficiently extracts and formulates natural compounds, enhancing their bioavailability and biological activities, while being environmentally friendly and reducing the risks associated with traditional solvents, thus offering a sustainable solution for animal and human health applications.
Implementation Method 1
a second step which is an extraction, solubilisation and/or formulation phase of the mixture
Implementation Method 2
a first step of contacting by mixing a biological matrix or part of a biological matrix with a solvent
Data Source
AI summary
A process of preparation of a solid and/or liquid totum or filtrate that includes placing in contact via mixing a vegetal matrix or part of a vegetal matrix with a solvent, extracting, solubilizing and/or formulating the mixture, optionally, filtering the mixture, and recovering the totum or the filtrate thus obtained. The solvent is glycerol monolaurate.