Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent Extraction Process

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for extracting organic compounds from natural sources often rely on toxic, volatile organic solvents or petrochemical-based ionic liquids, posing environmental and health risks, and there is a need for a 'green' process using only natural compounds.

Innovation Solution

The use of deep eutectic solvents and ionic liquids of natural origin, such as mixtures of quaternary ammonium salts with carboxylic acids or sugar-based compounds, which are non-flammable, non-volatile, and biodegradable, to extract materials from biological sources, offering a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional volatile organic solvents (alcohols, acetone, ethyl acetate, chloroform) are used for extraction, then extraction efficiency is improved, but toxicity and environmental harm increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidtoxicity and environmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the fundamental parameters of the extraction solvent by transitioning from volatile organic solvents to ionic liquids, which have negligible vapor pressure and different solvation properties. This parameter change maintains extraction efficiency while eliminating volatility-related hazards and reducing toxicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite ionic liquid systems composed of specific cations and anions tailored for targeted extraction applications. These composite solvent systems provide both the extraction efficiency of organic solvents and the environmental benefits of non-volatile, biodegradable alternatives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If halogen-containing ionic liquids are used as green solvents, then volatility is reduced, but hydrolysis stability decreases and toxicity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevapor pressureVSAvoidhydrolysis stability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by selecting specific anion types (sulfonates, carboxylates, phosphates, halides) that provide the desired balance of low volatility and high hydrolysis stability. The local chemical properties of the anion are optimized for the specific extraction application while maintaining overall solvent stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of ionic liquids by eliminating halogen-containing anions that are prone to hydrolysis and replacing them with hydrolytically stable alternatives. This parameter change maintains the non-volatile property while improving stability and reducing toxicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If petrochemical-based ionic liquids are used for extraction, then environmental benignity is improved, but biodegradability decreases and disposal cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental benignityVSAvoidbiodegradability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies self-service by designing ionic liquids with inherent biodegradability through selection of naturally occurring or easily degradable ion components. The solvent system is designed to break down into harmless substances after use, eliminating the need for special disposal procedures and reducing environmental persistence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Temperature

If conventional ionic liquids are used as safe solvents, then volatility is reduced, but irritation and toxicity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevolatilityVSAvoidirritation and toxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the molecular structure parameters of ionic liquids by selecting cations and anions that minimize biological activity and toxicity. The resulting solvents maintain the safety advantage of low volatility while further reducing direct contact toxicity through careful molecular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

These natural solvents are highly efficient and selective, providing high yields and being suitable for extracting a variety of compounds, including flavonoids, anthocyanins, and polyketides, while being free of chlorine and halogen, thus addressing the limitations of traditional solvents.

Implementation Method 1

the naturally occurring biological material is treated with an extractant consisting of a deep eutectic solvent of natural origin or a an ionic liquid of natural origin to produce a biological extract of natural origin dissolved in the said solvent or ionic liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS10865334B2Process for extracting materials from biological material

Publication Date: 2020.12.15 LEIDEN UNIVERSITY

AI summary

The invention is directed to a process for extracting materials from biological material, which process is characterized in that the naturally occurring biological material is treated with an extractant consisting of a deep eutectic solvent of natural origin or a an ionic liquid of natural origin to produce a biological extract of natural origin dissolved in the said solvent or ionic liquid.