Immature Pomegranate Extract for Antitumor Applications

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a cost-effective and time-efficient method to valorize immature pomegranate fruits from the fruit thinning process, as they are currently considered waste products and have not been fully explored for their bioactive compounds, which are potentially beneficial for health and pharmaceutical applications.

Innovation Solution

An extraction process involving immature pomegranate fruits, where the fruits are harvested between 30 to 40 days after fruit appearance, mixed with an extraction medium, and subjected to mechanical stirring or ultrasound for several hours to obtain an extract rich in granatins, gallotannins, and ellagic acid derivatives, which can be used in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical formulations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If immature pomegranate fruits are discarded as waste from the fruit thinning process, then waste management costs are reduced, but valuable bioactive compounds are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebioactive compoundsVSAvoidwaste management costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful waste disposal problem into a beneficial resource by extracting valuable bioactive compounds (punicalagins, ellagic acid, polyphenols) from immature pomegranate fruits that would otherwise be discarded during fruit thinning operations

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention recovers valuable compounds from discarded immature fruits by implementing an extraction process that captures bioactive substances before the fruits are completely wasted, thereby transforming waste into a valuable extract

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Quantity of substance

If freeze-drying is used to process immature pomegranate fruits, then bioactive compound extraction is achieved, but processing time and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebioactive compound extraction efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces expensive, time-consuming freeze-drying equipment with a simpler, more economical extraction system using common solvents and basic filtration apparatus, achieving comparable extraction efficiency without the high time and cost investment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the extraction parameters from extreme conditions (freeze-drying at very low temperatures) to milder conditions (room temperature or controlled temperature extraction with solvents), achieving effective compound extraction while significantly reducing processing time and energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the Folin-Ciocalteau method is used to evaluate total polyphenol content, then results are obtained quickly, but measurement precision and reproducibility decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalysis speedVSAvoidpolyphenol content measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the colorimetric Folin-Ciocalteau method with HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) detection, substituting a simple but imprecise chemical test with a more sophisticated analytical technique that provides accurate quantification of specific polyphenolic compounds while maintaining reasonable analysis speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 yields extracts with high antitumor activity, reducing cancer cell proliferation and providing a valuable use for previously discarded fruits, making them suitable for industrial-scale production and therapeutic applications.

Implementation Method 1

adding a sample of vegetable material comprising said one or more immature pomegranate fruits harvested from 30 to 40 days after fruit appearance or parts thereof to an extraction medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

maintaining the suspension under mechanical stirring for 12 to 36 hours

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 3

exposing to ultrasounds for 15 to 90 minutes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic cavitation: Acoustic Cavitation

Implementation Method 4

exposing to ultrasounds for 15 to 90 minutes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS20230372421A1Immature pomegranate extract formulations

Publication Date: 2023.11.23 VERA SALUS RICERCA SRL

AI summary

The present invention concerns an extract from pomegranate (Punica granatum L), specifically obtained from one or more immature pomegranate fruits. This extract is obtained through an extraction process including steps a)-d) as described in the text and it may contain gallotannins, ellagitannins, ellagic acid derivatives and granatins. Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical compositions and food supplements comprising this extract fall within the scope of the present invention as well as their use in various fields, more specifically for the treatment of tumors.