Leaf Juice Protein Extraction via Membrane Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for obtaining proteins from plants, particularly soybeans, face limitations in availability and increasing costs due to land constraints, necessitating an efficient and effective method to harvest proteins from alternative plant sources like leaf juice.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a micro membrane filter to separate leaf juice into protein paste and whey, followed by drying and decolouring to achieve a high protein content, enabling the extraction of proteins from leaf juice, which can be used for human consumption and animal feed, thereby increasing protein yield and reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional extraction methods (extrusion and coagulation) are used to obtain protein from leaf juice, then the process is simple to implement, but the protein extraction efficiency is low (only 30-50% of initial proteins are extracted)
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction process is divided into multiple sequential separation steps using different membrane pore sizes: first microfiltration (0.1-10 μm) to remove large particles and obtain protein concentrate, then ultrafiltration (1-100 nm) to further concentrate proteins and separate from smaller molecules. This segmented approach progressively increases extraction efficiency from 30-50% to over 90% while keeping each individual step relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the key parameter of membrane pore size to optimize protein extraction at different stages. By using microfiltration membranes with larger pores (0.1-10 μm) followed by ultrafiltration membranes with smaller pores (1-100 nm), the system adapts the separation parameter to progressively concentrate proteins more effectively, achieving high extraction efficiency without requiring complex equipment.
2Ease of operation
If conventional extraction methods are used, then the process equipment is simple, but the extracted protein retains green colour due to incomplete chlorophyll removal
Solution Approach 1:
The separation process is segmented into stages with progressively smaller membrane pore sizes. The microfiltration stage removes large particles while preserving proteins, and the subsequent ultrafiltration stage further separates proteins from smaller chlorophyll molecules and other impurities. This staged approach effectively removes chlorophyll to produce colourless or lightly coloured protein concentrate, improving purity without requiring complex additional processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces conventional mechanical coagulation and filtration methods with membrane-based separation. Instead of using chemical coagulants and complex mechanical filtration systems that leave green colour, the patent uses pressure-driven membrane filtration that physically separates chlorophyll from proteins based on size differences, achieving colour removal through a simpler, more controlled mechanism.
3Productivity
If leaf juice is directly processed without concentration, then the processing is straightforward, but further processing becomes less efficient due to low protein concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The concentration process is segmented into two distinct membrane filtration stages. Microfiltration first concentrates the protein by removing large particles and some water, then ultrafiltration further concentrates proteins to high levels (80-95% purity). This segmentation allows efficient processing at each stage rather than attempting to concentrate from dilute solution in a single step, improving overall processing efficiency while using relatively simple membrane modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The microfiltration step performs preliminary concentration and clarification of the leaf juice before the ultrafiltration stage. By removing large particles and performing initial concentration, it prepares the feed for the second stage, making the subsequent ultrafiltration more efficient and reducing the load on the more complex ultrafiltration membranes. This preliminary action optimizes the overall process efficiency.
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 method efficiently extracts proteins from leaf juice, achieving a higher protein content than conventional methods, making leaf-based proteins a viable alternative to soybeans, reducing the carbon footprint, and increasing the value of leaf crops.
Implementation Method 1
providing leaf juice to a micro membrane filter; in a first separating step separating the leaf juice into protein paste and whey
Implementation Method 2
drying the protein paste, wherein the protein paste may be dried to a protein paste comprising at least 35 wt.% of proteins
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method, extraction system, and use of said system for extracting protein from leaf juice. The method comprises the steps of: - providing leaf juice to a micro membrane filter; - in a first separating step separating the leaf juice into protein paste and whey comprising rubisco protein; - drying the protein paste, wherein the protein paste is dried to a protein paste comprising at least 50 wt.% of proteins; and - decolouring the dried protein paste comprising a second separating step of separating the protein paste.