Molecularly Imprinted Polymer for Selective Wine Component Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional liquid-liquid or solid phase extraction methods are inefficient in extracting specific organic molecules from wine, as they often remove a broad spectrum of organics and can alter the wine's characteristics, making it difficult to isolate a single component effectively.

Innovation Solution

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are developed using hydrogen bonding and shape recognition interactions to selectively bind target molecules, such as 2-isobutyl-3-methoxypyrazine, allowing for the creation of specific binding cavities that can recognize and extract target molecules from wine, using polymers like polyurethane, poly(4-vinylphenol), or poly(methylmethacrylate), and their co-polymers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional liquid-liquid or solid phase extraction methods are used, then a broad spectrum of organics can be removed, but the wine's characteristics are modified and single component extraction becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebroad spectrum organic removalVSAvoidsingle component extraction precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating molecularly imprinted polymers with specific binding cavities tailored to recognize and bind only target molecules with particular chemical structures. The polymer matrix contains localized functional groups and cavity shapes that are complementary to specific analytes, enabling selective extraction of individual components without affecting other wine constituents. This allows precise single-component extraction while maintaining the wine's overall characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If traditional extraction methods are used, then multiple organics can be removed, but the complexity of the wine matrix makes single component isolation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorganic removal capacityVSAvoidextraction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex wine matrix separation problem into individual component extractions using multiple molecularly imprinted polymers, each specialized for a specific target molecule. Instead of using a single complex extraction process to handle all organics, the system divides the task into multiple simple, selective binding events. Each MIP is designed with specific binding cavities for particular analytes, simplifying the overall extraction process while maintaining the ability to isolate multiple components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If high selectivity is achieved through molecular imprinting, then target molecule recognition is improved, but the polymer synthesis and template removal processes become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetarget molecule recognition specificityVSAvoidpolymer synthesis process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating the template molecule into the polymerization process before the polymer network forms. The template is present during monomer polymerization, allowing the formation of binding cavities with precise geometric and chemical complementarity to the target analyte. This preliminary templating step ensures high selectivity is built into the polymer structure itself, eliminating the need for complex post-synthesis modification procedures while maintaining rigorous binding specificity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 MIPs demonstrate high selectivity and effectiveness in binding and removing target molecules from wine, reducing the concentration of undesired components, thereby preserving the wine's characteristics and allowing for precise extraction and detection of contaminants.

Implementation Method 1

Imprinted polymers are prepared in the presence of the target molecule that interacts with the polymer network, in most applications, via hydrogen bonding interactions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding:

Implementation Method 2

Imprints may also be created based on shape recognition of the template molecule. The polymer retains a cavity that exhibits the ability to recognize the template by both shape and chemical interaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShape recognition:

Implementation Method 3

After the combined polymer/template network is established, thus forming a MIP network solution, the material is precipitated to form a MIP

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Data Source

PatentUS9260683B2Molecularly imprinted polymer for wine, method of preparing, and use of same
Publication Date: 2016.02.16 CONSTELLATION BRANDS US OPERATIONS INC

AI summary

Shown herein are compositions of, and methods of use for, molecularly imprinted polymers useful for extracting and/or detecting target molecule compounds of wine.