Nucleotide Crystal Drying With High-Humidity Hot Air

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nucleic acid crystallization methods using hydrophilic organic solvents face challenges in completely removing residual organic solvents while maintaining the hydrate structure, leading to crystal agglomeration and decreased product quality.

Innovation Solution

A two-step method involving crystallization with a hydrophilic organic solvent followed by drying with high-humidity hot air, controlled for temperature and humidity, to remove residual solvents and maintain the hydrate structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nucleic acid crystals are dried at high temperature to completely remove residual organic solvent, then organic solvent removal is improved, but water of crystallization evaporates causing crystal degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorganic solvent removal completenessVSAvoidhydrate structure stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the drying parameters by using high-humidity air (relative humidity 30-70%) at controlled temperatures (20-80°C) instead of conventional low-humidity high-temperature drying. This parameter modification allows the drying process to proceed without causing excessive water loss from the hydrate structure, thereby maintaining crystal stability while still removing organic solvents effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces high-humidity air as an intermediary medium during the drying process. This humid air acts as a buffer that prevents direct evaporation of water of crystallization while still allowing organic solvent removal. The humid air environment mediates between the need to remove organic solvents and the need to preserve the hydrate structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If nucleic acid crystals are dried at low temperature to maintain hydrate structure, then crystal stability is improved, but residual organic solvent is not completely removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrate structure stabilityVSAvoidorganic solvent removal completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the drying parameters by extending the drying time at lower temperatures (20-80°C) under high-humidity conditions. This allows sufficient time for complete organic solvent removal while the high humidity prevents water of crystallization loss, thus maintaining crystal stability throughout the extended drying process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention maintains continuous high-humidity conditions throughout the drying process, ensuring that the hydrate structure is continuously protected from water loss while organic solvents are progressively removed. This continuous protective environment allows the drying action to proceed without interruption or degradation of the crystal structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Stability of the object's composition

If surface water is not properly removed from nucleic acid crystals, then hydrate structure is maintained, but crystal agglomeration occurs causing yield loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrate structure maintenanceVSAvoidcrystal yield
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the drying parameters by controlling temperature (20-80°C) and relative humidity (30-70%) to achieve the right balance. These parameter settings allow surface water to be removed at a controlled rate that prevents agglomeration while preserving the hydrate structure. The optimized parameters create ideal conditions for maintaining crystal separation and integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs dynamic control of drying conditions, adjusting temperature and humidity parameters based on the drying progress. This dynamic approach allows the process to adapt to changing moisture levels in the crystals, preventing agglomeration by maintaining optimal surface moisture levels throughout the drying process while preserving the hydrate structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 method achieves complete solvent removal without agglomeration, maintaining crystal integrity and yield, thereby ensuring high-quality nucleic acid purification with cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

drying the crystallized nucleic acid with high-humidity hot air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

drying the crystallized nucleic acid with high-humidity hot air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4047099B1Method for refining nucleotides
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 CJ CHEILJEDANG CORP
  • EP4047099B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present application relates to a nucleic acid purification method, specifically to a nucleic acid purification method which includes a first step of crystallizing the nucleic acid using a solution containing a hydrophilic organic solvent; and a second step of drying the crystallized nucleic acid with high-humidity hot air.