Limonin Extraction via Sulfate Precipitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional limonin extraction methods are expensive, time-consuming, and inefficient, particularly due to the difficulty in separating limonin from water and the need for large amounts of organic solvents, which hinders industrialized production and increases process costs.
Innovation Solution
A limonin extraction method using sulfate precipitation, involving soaking or juicing raw materials, adding sulfate salts to adjust pH and temperature, and centrifuging to precipitate limonin, allowing for efficient extraction without drying the raw material and reducing the need for organic solvents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional organic solvent extraction method is used, then limonin can be extracted from raw materials, but the process is expensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the extraction parameters by using water instead of organic solvents, adjusting pH to 2-8, and heating to 20-100°C to precipitate limonin. This parameter transformation enables rapid extraction within 10-110 minutes while avoiding the time-consuming steps of organic solvent recovery and purification associated with traditional methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts limonin from raw materials by precipitation using sulfate salts in aqueous solution. The limonin is selectively precipitated out of the aqueous extract through controlled pH adjustment and heating, then separated by centrifugation. This extraction approach eliminates the need for expensive organic solvents and their associated recovery processes
2Productivity
If traditional organic solvent extraction method is used, then limonin can be extracted, but the process cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive organic solvents (dichloromethane, hexane, methanol, acetone, isopropanol) with water and inexpensive sulfate salts (ammonium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, sodium sulfate, or potassium sulfate). The sulfate salts are added in solid form or as saturated solutions, adjusted to appropriate concentrations, and can be easily removed or left in the final product without requiring costly recovery equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the complex mechanical system of organic solvent extraction, filtration, and solvent recovery with a simpler chemical precipitation process. By adjusting pH and temperature to precipitate limonin directly from aqueous solution, the process eliminates expensive solvent recovery equipment and reduces manufacturing complexity
3Ease of operation
If limonin is extracted using water solubility, then limonin can be separated from organic solvents, but limonin is difficult to separate from water solution
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of trying to extract limonin from water (which is difficult due to its water solubility), the patent inverts the approach by adding sulfate salts to the aqueous extract to precipitate limonin out of solution. This inversion transforms the separation problem from extraction to precipitation, making limonin easily separable from water through centrifugation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the solubility parameters of limonin by adjusting pH to 2-8 and heating to 20-100°C in the presence of sulfate salts. These parameter changes cause limonin to precipitate from the aqueous solution, transforming it from a water-soluble state to an insoluble precipitate that can be easily separated by centrifugation
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 enables rapid, cost-effective limonin extraction with high yield, using water-based precipitation that is easy to operate and reduces process costs compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
adding certain amount of sulfate solid or saturated sulfate solution, adjusting pH and temperature to precipitate limonin
Implementation Method 2
obtaining high concentration of limonin precipitation by centrifugation
Implementation Method 3
heating to 20 to 100° C. and keeping at the temperature for 10 minutes to 110 minutes
Data Source
AI summary
A limonin extraction method, comprising the following steps: step one, raw material extracting or juicing: directly soaking raw material in water or using a presser to directly juice the raw material to obtain the extract; step two, adding salt and adjusting pH: adding a sulfate solid material or saturated sulfate solution to the extract; adjusting pH to 3-7; step three, heating and preserving heat: heating to 20° C.-100° C. and keeping at the temperature for 10 minutes-110 minutes; step four, centrifuging: centrifuging for 10 minutes at a rotational speed of 2500×g, and obtaining limonin precipitation. Compared with a traditional method, the raw material in the present invention can directly use the extract liquid or juicing liquid without drying, and recover most limonin in water using a precipitation method without complicated apparatus, and is easy to operate and has a low process cost.