Hydrated Lipid Extraction Using Biphasic Solvent Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for producing lipid compositions rich in unsaturated fatty acids like EPA and DHA face challenges due to high energy requirements for drying raw materials, difficulties in separating phospholipid-bound lipids, and contamination with heavy metals and dioxins, leading to inefficient and costly production processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving solvent extraction of hydrated raw materials using a mixture of polar and nonpolar solvents, followed by separation and purification steps to obtain a lipid composition with a high phospholipid content and reduced impurities, allowing for efficient extraction and separation without drying the raw materials and minimizing heavy metal contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If conventional methods extract lipids from dry materials, then lipid extraction can be performed, but a large amount of energy is required for drying the raw materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing lipid extraction on hydrated raw materials before drying occurs. The extraction process is initiated while the materials are still in their natural hydrated state, eliminating the need for subsequent drying steps and the associated high energy consumption. This is achieved by directly contacting the hydrated materials with extraction solvents to dissolve and recover lipids.
2Reliability
If phospholipids are present in the raw materials, then the lipid composition has better bioabsorbability, but separation and collection of the lipid fraction becomes difficult due to emulsification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary substance (a specific solvent system comprising chloroform, methanol, and water in a volume ratio of 2:1:0.5 to 2:1:4) to facilitate the separation of phospholipid-containing lipids. This solvent system acts as a mediator that prevents emulsification while allowing phospholipids to remain in the lipid fraction, enabling both high bioabsorbability and easy separation. The intermediary solvent system bridges the hydrophobic lipid phase and hydrophilic aqueous phase without forming stable emulsions.
3Quantity of substance
If aquatic product resources are used as raw materials, then lipid composition rich in EPA and DHA can be obtained, but contamination with heavy metals and dioxins occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by selectively extracting the desired lipid components (EPA and DHA) from the aquatic product raw materials while leaving behind the harmful contaminants. The extraction process uses selective solvents that dissolve lipids but not heavy metals or dioxins, effectively separating the beneficial substances from the harmful ones. This is followed by purification steps that further remove any residual contaminants.
4Productivity
If conventional extraction methods are used, then lipid composition can be obtained, but the production process is inefficient and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous useful action by designing an integrated extraction and purification process that operates continuously without interruption. The solvent system is regenerated and reused, and the process flows continuously from extraction through purification to final product recovery. This eliminates idle time between operations and maximizes the utilization of equipment and materials, thereby improving productivity and reducing costs.
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 enables the efficient and cost-effective production of lipid compositions with high bioabsorbability and low impurity levels, addressing the challenges of energy consumption and contamination, and facilitating the use of aquatic byproducts as safe and sustainable sources of EPA and DHA.
Implementation Method 1
an extraction treatment step to extract a lipid comprised in a hydrated raw material by using an extraction solvent comprising a mixture of a polar solvent and a nonpolar solvent
Implementation Method 2
a separation treatment step to separate an extract obtained in the extraction treatment step into a polar solvent phase comprising a first lipid fraction, a nonpolar solvent phase comprising a second lipid fraction, and a solid fraction phase
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The method of producing a lipid composition comprises an extraction treatment step to extract a lipid comprised in a hydrated raw material by using an extraction solvent comprising a polar solvent and a nonpolar solvent, and a separation treatment step to separate an extract solution obtained in the extraction treatment step into a polar solvent phase comprising a first lipid fraction and a nonpolar solvent phase comprising a second lipid fraction.