Solvent-Free Krill Oil Extraction via Thermal Denaturation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current krill meal processing methods result in low yields of phospholipids-enriched krill oil containing DHA and EPA, with high fat content in the krill meal and low recovery of neutral lipid-enriched krill oil, due to emulsification issues and inefficient separation processes.

Innovation Solution

A solvent-free process that involves cooking whole krill without grinding or mincing, separating into solid and liquid fractions, and further processing to obtain phospholipids-enriched and neutral lipid-enriched krill oils, using equipment that minimizes agitation and emulsification, such as screw pumps and decanters, to achieve efficient extraction and separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional krill meal processing methods are used with grinding and mincing, then extraction efficiency is improved, but emulsification occurs and phospholipids-enriched krill oil yield decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidphospholipids-enriched krill oil yield

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of grinding krill before extraction, the invention cooks whole or partially processed krill and then separates the oil. This inversion of the conventional sequence (grinding then extracting vs. cooking then separating) prevents emulsification while maintaining extraction efficiency, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state and temperature parameters of krill by cooking it before separation. This parameter change (from raw to cooked state, temperature increase) facilitates oil separation without grinding, preventing emulsification and improving both extraction efficiency and phospholipids-enriched krill oil yield

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If conventional separation processes are used, then processing speed is improved, but fat content in krill meal remains high and neutral lipid-enriched krill oil recovery is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidfat content in krill meal

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the separation process into distinct stages: cooking krill, separating solid and liquid fractions, then further separating phospholipids-enriched oil from neutral lipid-enriched oil. This segmented approach allows thorough fat removal while maintaining processing speed, reducing krill meal fat content and improving neutral lipid recovery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses an intermediary cooking step that transforms krill into a form suitable for separation. This intermediary process (cooking) facilitates subsequent separation operations, enabling efficient fat removal and improving both processing speed and oil recovery rates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 process significantly increases the yield of phospholipids-enriched krill oil with DHA and EPA, reduces fat content in krill meal, and enhances the quality and freshness of the final products, allowing for on-board processing that reduces logistical costs and environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

cooking krill in a vessel for a time sufficient to cause the krill reach a temperature of at least about 90° C.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

separating into solid and liquid fractions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDensity-based separation: Sedimentation

Implementation Method 3

using equipment that minimizes agitation and emulsification, such as screw pumps and decanters

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational separation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS8772516B2Solvent-free process for obtaining phospholipids and neutral enriched krill oils

Publication Date: 2014.07.08 THAROS

AI summary

Organic solvent-free processes for obtaining krill oil compositions are disclosed. The processes include a) cooking krill in a cooker vessel for a time and at a temperature sufficient to denature the protein content of the krill and cause a first solid krill fraction and a first liquid krill fraction to be formed while substantially avoiding emulsification of the first solid and first liquid krill fractions; b) removing the first solid and first liquid krill fractions from the cooker vessel at a temperature of at least about 90° C.; c) separating the first solid fraction and the first liquid fraction; and d) obtaining krill oil with neutral enriched from the first liquid fraction, and e) by pressing of first solid fraction to obtain press liquid or a second liquid krill fraction for obtaining krill oil with phospholipids enriched krill oil, the separating and the obtaining steps being carried out without the use of organic solvents. Krill oil compositions made by the process are also disclosed.