Lingonberry Extract Segmentation for Bioactive Concentration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for extracting anthocyanin, proanthocyanidin, and resveratrol from lingonberry do not effectively produce extracts with optimal concentrations for health benefits, such as anti-aging, weight loss, and cardiovascular disease prevention.

Innovation Solution

A process involving the extraction of lingonberry fruit using solvents like alcohol, aqueous acid solutions, or enzyme-containing solutions, followed by purification with resins or ultrafiltration, to produce extracts with specific weight percentages of anthocyanin, proanthocyanidin, and resveratrol, including a second extract enriched with resveratrol.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional extraction methods (acidified ethanol, acidified methanol, or mineral acid) are used to extract lingonberry, then extraction process is simple, but the extract does not achieve optimal concentrations of anthocyanin, proanthocyanidin, and resveratrol for health benefits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcentration of anthocyanin, proanthocyanidin, and resveratrolVSAvoidextraction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The extraction process is divided into multiple sequential steps using different solvents: first extraction with acidified ethanol to obtain anthocyanin-rich extract, second extraction with acidified methanol to obtain proanthocyanidin-rich extract, and third extraction with enzyme-containing solution to obtain resveratrol-rich extract. This segmentation allows each solvent to selectively extract specific compounds, achieving optimal concentrations of all three bioactive substances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Enzyme-containing solution is introduced as an intermediary extraction medium to specifically release resveratrol from the lingonberry matrix. The enzymes facilitate the breakdown of cellular structures and release bound resveratrol, which cannot be effectively extracted by conventional acidified solvents alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple extraction steps with different solvents are used to achieve optimal compound concentrations, then extract quality improves, but extraction time and process complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcentration of bioactive compoundsVSAvoidextraction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The extraction process continues sequentially without interruption, using the residue from each extraction step as the starting material for the next extraction. This continuous action maximizes the utilization of the raw material and ensures that all bioactive compounds are extracted in optimal concentrations across the three extracts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If conventional single-solvent extraction is used, then process is simple and fast, but the extract lacks enhanced antioxidant properties and optimal bioactive compound profile

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantioxidant efficacy and health benefitsVSAvoidextraction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each extraction step produces an extract with a specific quality profile optimized for particular health benefits: the first extract is optimized for anthocyanin content (cardiovascular health), the second for proanthocyanidin content (antioxidant capacity), and the third for resveratrol content (anti-aging and metabolic benefits). This local quality optimization ensures that each extract meets specific functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The final product is a composite of three distinct extracts, each containing specific bioactive compounds in optimal concentrations. By combining these extracts, the system achieves enhanced and multifaceted antioxidant properties that cannot be obtained through single-solvent extraction, creating a composite material with superior health benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 lingonberry extracts with enhanced antioxidant properties, effective in anti-aging, weight management, and cardiovascular health, demonstrating improved scavenging capabilities and bioactive compound concentrations.

Implementation Method 1

extracting the fruit of lingonberry with a first solvent selected from alcohol, aqueous alcohol solution, water, aqueous acid solution, aqueous enzyme-containing solution, or aqueous acid-alcohol solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExtraction:

Implementation Method 2

extracting lingonberry with acidified ethanol as a first solvent and then re-extracting the residue with acidified ethanol as second solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 3

purification with resins or ultrafiltration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 4

purification with resins or ultrafiltration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrafiltration: Semipermeable Membrane

Data Source

PatentEP2033528B1Lingonberry extract, the preparing method and use thereof
Publication Date: 2016.04.13 BEIJING GINGKO GRP BIOLOGICAL TECH CO LTD
  • EP2033528B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2033528B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2033528B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A first extract of lingonberry(Vaccinium vitis-idaea L). comprising 5-35wt% of anthocyanin, 20-95 wt% of proanthocyanin, less than 5 wt% of resveratrol and the balance of other components, a second extract containing 60-98 wt% of resveratrol and a third extract composed any ratio of comprising of the first and the second extract are disclosed. Methods for preparing the first and the second extract are disclosed. The use of the extracts in the preparation a functional food for anti-aging, weight loss, eliminating oxygen free radical, preventing cardiovascular disease, inhibiting thrombosis, and beauty is provided.