Magnetic Adsorption for Benzo[a]pyrene Removal in Natural Extracts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for removing benzo[α]pyrene from natural extracts, such as adsorption with activated carbon, ultraviolet light degradation, or high temperature distillation, result in significant loss of active ingredients due to the sensitivity of natural extracts to these processes.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the addition of a solvent to a crude natural extract, heating, cooling, and separating layers to precipitate benzo[α]pyrene, followed by washing and low-temperature solvent removal, allowing for the recovery and recycling of solvents to minimize losses and achieve effective removal of benzo[α]pyrene in a single step.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If activated carbon adsorption is used to remove benzo[α]pyrene, then benzo[α]pyrene content is reduced, but active ingredients are significantly lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebenzo[α]pyrene contentVSAvoidactive ingredients
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a magnetic separator as an intermediary carrier to adsorb benzo[α]pyrene from the natural extract. The magnetic separator with specific surface area of 500-1500 m²/g provides the adsorption function while being easily separable via magnetic field, avoiding direct contact between activated carbon and the extract that causes ingredient loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes key parameters including magnetic separator surface area (500-1500 m²/g), extraction solvent selection, and extraction conditions to maximize benzo[α]pyrene removal while preserving active ingredients. The magnetic separator's magnetic properties allow for easy separation without mechanical filtration that could trap active ingredients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If ultraviolet light degradation is used to remove benzo[α]pyrene, then benzo[α]pyrene is degraded, but active ingredients are damaged by light sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebenzo[α]pyrene contentVSAvoidactive ingredients stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the ultraviolet light degradation method with a magnetic adsorption method. Instead of using electromagnetic radiation (UV light) that damages light-sensitive active ingredients, the invention uses magnetic field-based adsorption and separation, which is gentle and selective for benzo[α]pyrene removal without affecting ingredient stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If high temperature distillation is used to remove benzo[α]pyrene, then benzo[α]pyrene is removed, but active ingredients are degraded by heat

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebenzo[α]pyrene contentVSAvoidactive ingredients stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces thermal distillation with magnetic adsorption and separation. Instead of using high temperature thermal energy to remove benzo[α]pyrene, the invention uses magnetic field-based adsorption at lower temperatures, preserving heat-sensitive active ingredients while effectively removing benzo[α]pyrene through the magnetic separator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If strong oxidant is used to reduce benzo[α]pyrene contamination, then benzo[α]pyrene is oxidized, but active ingredients are oxidized and fade

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebenzo[α]pyrene contentVSAvoidactive ingredients stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical oxidation with physical magnetic adsorption. Instead of using strong oxidants that chemically react with and degrade active ingredients, the invention uses a magnetic separator to physically adsorb and separate benzo[α]pyrene, avoiding chemical reactions that would cause ingredient oxidation and color fading.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 effectively reduces benzo[α]pyrene content to less than 10 μg/kg in a natural extract while preserving active ingredients, is easy to industrialize, and reduces waste and pollution, with a high degree of automation and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic separator with a specific surface area of 500 to 1500 m2/g to extract the benzo[α]pyrene

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

place the mixture in a magnetic field to separate the magnetic separator from the natural extract

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field separation: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

adding a solvent to a crude natural extract product so as to obtain a mixed material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 4

heating the mixed material, stirring until uniform, cooling and layering

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 5

cooling and layering, and then separating the upper layer from the lower layer so as to obtain a precipitate and a filtrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Implementation Method 6

removing the solvent from the washed product at a low temperature so as to obtain a finished product

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS11388917B2Method for removing benzo[a]pyrene from liposoluble natural extract
Publication Date: 2022.07.19 CHENGUANG BIOTECH GRP CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a method for removing benzo[α]pyrene from a liposoluble natural extract. The method of the present invention comprises adding a suitable solvent to a crude natural extract product so as to obtain a mixed material; heating the mixed material, stirring until uniform, cooling and layering, and then separating the upper layer from the lower layer so as to obtain a precipitate and a filtrate; washing the precipitate with a small amount of a solvent so as to obtain a washed product and a washing solution; removing the solvent from the washed product at a low temperature so as to obtain a finished product; and directly recycling the filtrate and the washing solution as solvents. The present method achieves the purification of the crude natural extract product and the removal of benzo[α]pyrene in one step, and is a novel method which is simple, highly efficient, feasible and easy for industrial applications.