Lycopene Crystallization Using Mixed Solvent Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preparing lycopene crystals are complex, time-consuming, and result in low purity and high harm due to the presence of substances like benzopyrene, making it difficult to achieve high-purity, low-harm crystals suitable for industrial production.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a mixed solvent consisting of an alkane and a lower alcohol for one-step crystallization, followed by a multi-step washing process with different solvents to achieve high purity and reduce harmful substances, utilizing a 'four-in-one' device for efficient production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple crystallizations are performed to improve purity, then the purity of lycopene crystals increases, but the production time increases and yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solvent system from a single solvent to a mixed solvent system (petroleum ether and ethanol), which fundamentally alters the crystallization parameters. This allows achieving high purity (95% or above) in a single crystallization step rather than requiring multiple recrystallizations, thus resolving the contradiction between purity and production time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite solvent system combining petroleum ether (non-polar) and ethanol (polar). This composite solvent system has synergistic effects that enable selective dissolution and crystallization, achieving high purity in one step without the need for repeated crystallization operations
2Adaptability or versatility
If tomato peel is used as raw material to reduce waste, then resource utilization improves, but the content of harmful substances like benzopyrene increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses selective extraction with a mixed solvent system to separate lycopene from harmful substances. The specific combination of petroleum ether and ethanol selectively dissolves lycopene while leaving benzopyrene and other harmful substances in the residue, effectively extracting the desired product while removing contaminants
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates different local environments during extraction and crystallization. The mixed solvent system provides different polarity environments that selectively interact with lycopene versus harmful substances, allowing purification without requiring multiple processing steps
3Device complexity
If a single solvent is used for crystallization to simplify the process, then the process complexity decreases, but the purity of obtained crystals remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite solvent system of petroleum ether and ethanol in specific proportions. This composite system combines the advantages of both solvents: petroleum ether provides good solubility for lycopene while ethanol helps in selective crystallization and impurity removal, achieving high purity without complex multi-step processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the ratio of petroleum ether to ethanol and controls crystallization temperature to achieve optimal purification. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves high purity crystals in a single crystallization step, maintaining process simplicity while improving manufacturing precision
4Manufacturing precision
If repeated recrystallization is performed to achieve high purity, then the purity increases, but the yield of crystals decreases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the crystallization parameters by using a mixed solvent system with optimized ratios and controlled temperature. This allows achieving high purity (95% or above) in a single crystallization while maintaining high yield, avoiding the material loss inherent in multiple recrystallization cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary optimization of the solvent system and crystallization conditions before the actual crystallization. This preliminary action ensures that the single crystallization step is highly efficient, maximizing both purity and yield without needing subsequent recrystallization steps
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 allows for the production of lycopene crystals with high purity (up to 95%) and low harm, reducing benzopyrene content from 100 ppm to 10 ppm or less, while simplifying the process and ensuring industrial feasibility and safety.
Implementation Method 1
mixing lycopene oleoresin with a mixed solvent consisting of an alkane and a lower alcohol, heating and stirring the resultant for dissolution to form a homogenous solution
Implementation Method 2
cooling the homogenous solution for crystallization, filtering the resultant to obtain a filter cake
Implementation Method 3
washing the filter cake successively using a lower alcohol and an alkane, and drying the resultant to obtain lycopene crystals
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for preparing lycopene crystals with high purity and low harm. The method comprises the following steps: (1) mixing lycopene oleoresin with a mixed solvent consisting of an alkane and a lower alcohol, and heating and stirring the resultant for dissolution to form a homogenous solution; (2) cooling the homogenous solution for crystallization, filtering the resultant to obtain a filter cake; and (3) washing the filter cake successively using a lower alcohol and an alkane, and drying the resultant to obtain lycopene crystals. According to the method provided by the present invention, lycopene crystals can be obtained using a mixed solvent by means of one step crystallization, and the crystal content is further improved and harmful substances in the crystals are reduced by means of a two-step crystal washing process to obtain lycopene crystals with high purity and low harm. The method is fast and convenient, lycopene crystals with high purity, low harm, and sanitary safety can be produced, and the method is suitable for industrial production.