Natural Eutectic Solvent Composition for Low-Polar Plant Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extraction solvents derived from petrochemistry are toxic, flammable, and poorly biodegradable, limiting their use and necessitating safer, more environmentally friendly alternatives for extracting compounds from natural sources, particularly plant materials, while water-based solvents struggle with solubilizing low-polar and apolar compounds due to their polar nature.
Innovation Solution
Development of a eutectic solvent of natural origin comprising a combination of different naturally occurring carbohydrates and organic acids, such as glucose, fructose, malic acid, and citric acid, with a Brix degree of at least 8, to enhance solubilization and extraction power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If petrochemical solvents are used for extraction, then extraction efficiency is improved, but toxicity and environmental harm increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the extraction solvent by using eutectic mixtures of natural compounds (carbohydrates, amino acids, organic acids, alcohols) instead of petrochemical solvents. This maintains extraction efficiency while eliminating toxicity and environmental harm associated with traditional solvents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite solvent systems formed by eutectic mixtures of multiple natural compounds. These composite solvents combine the beneficial properties of individual components (solubility, penetration, safety) to achieve effective extraction without the harmful effects of petrochemical solvents.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If water is used as extraction solvent, then safety is improved, but solubilization power for low-polar compounds deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the solvent parameters by creating eutectic mixtures with specific compositions containing carbohydrates, amino acids, organic acids, and alcohols. This adjusts the polarity and solubilization characteristics to effectively extract low-polar compounds while maintaining the safety profile of water-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The eutectic mixture components act as intermediaries between water and low-polar compounds. These natural compounds facilitate the solubilization of low-polar substances that water alone cannot dissolve, while the overall system remains safe and biodegradable.
3Stability of the object's composition
If ionic liquids are used as extraction solvents, then thermal stability is improved, but biodegradability and biocompatibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical nature of the solvent from synthetic ionic liquids to eutectic mixtures of naturally occurring compounds. This maintains the functional properties needed for extraction while ensuring complete biodegradability and biocompatibility, eliminating the harmful effects of traditional ionic liquids.
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 solvent effectively solubilizes and extracts low-polar and apolar compounds from plant materials, offering improved extraction efficiency and compliance with regulatory standards for organic products, while being biocompatible and biodegradable.
Implementation Method 1
Deep eutectic solvents (SEPs, abbreviated DESs) have been developed. Generally defined as a subcategory of ILs, these SEPs consist of mixtures of at least two species that associate with each other by non-covalent intermolecular bonds (in particular by hydrogen bonds).
Data Source
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AI summary
Eutectic solvent of natural origin comprising a plurality of different naturally sourced carbohydrates including glucose and fructose, and a plurality of different naturally sourced organic acids including malic acid and tartaric acid, said solvent having a Brix degree of at least 8 (at 20°C).