Ozonation-Enhanced Lutein Extraction Yield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting lutein from plant sources, such as corn and alfalfa, are inefficient and do not effectively address the impact of ozonation on the structural integrity and antimutagenic activity of lutein, particularly in the presence of aflatoxins.
Innovation Solution
A method involving ozonation of plant sources followed by hexane extraction to enhance lutein recovery, which maintains the antimutagenic activity of lutein and increases its extraction yield from clean corn while minimizing its extraction from aflatoxin-contaminated corn.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional extraction methods are used, then the extraction process is simple, but the extraction efficiency and yield are low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by treating the plant material with ozone gas before extraction. This pre-treatment step modifies the plant matrix to enhance subsequent lutein extraction efficiency. The ozonation is performed before the actual extraction process, preparing the material in advance to improve yield without complicating the overall process architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical and chemical parameters of the plant material through ozonation treatment. The ozone treatment modifies the chemical composition and physical structure of the plant matrix, creating conditions that favor better lutein extraction. This parameter modification approach enables improved extraction yield while maintaining process simplicity.
2Productivity
If ozonation is applied to enhance lutein extraction, then extraction yield increases, but the structural integrity and antimutagenic activity of lutein may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of ozonation (which could degrade lutein) into a beneficial process step. By controlling ozonation parameters and using it as a pre-treatment, the process actually enhances lutein extraction yield while preserving structural integrity and antimutagenic activity. The harmful potential of ozone is transformed into a useful extraction enhancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor and control the ozonation process. By monitoring extraction yield, lutein integrity, and antimutagenic activity during the process, the system can adjust ozonation parameters in real-time to optimize extraction while preserving lutein properties. This feedback control ensures the process achieves improved yield without compromising reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional extraction methods are used on aflatoxin-contaminated corn, then the process is straightforward, but it cannot effectively minimize lutein extraction from contaminated sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful presence of aflatoxins into a selective extraction advantage. The ozonation treatment and modified extraction process create conditions where lutein can be selectively extracted from clean corn while minimizing extraction from aflatoxin-contaminated corn. The harmful aflatoxins actually help define the selectivity of the extraction process.
4Productivity
If extensive ozonation is applied to maximize lutein release, then extraction yield increases, but the antimutagenic activity of extracted lutein may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using controlled, limited ozonation treatment rather than extensive ozonation. The treatment duration and ozone concentration are optimized to achieve sufficient lutein release while avoiding excessive oxidation that would compromise antimutagenic activity. This partial action approach balances extraction yield with preservation of biological activity.
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 effectively increases lutein extraction from clean corn and maintains its antimutagenic properties, with ozonated corn showing higher lutein yields than non-ozonated corn, and the extracted lutein is more effective in inhibiting aflatoxin B1 mutagenicity than a standard lutein sample.
Implementation Method 1
enhance the extraction of lutein from plant sources, including but not limited to corn and alfalfa, using ozonation and a hexane extraction procedure
Implementation Method 2
enhance the extraction of lutein from plant sources, including but not limited to corn and alfalfa, using ozonation and a hexane extraction procedure
Implementation Method 3
the extracted lutein is more effective in inhibiting aflatoxin B1 mutagenicity than a standard lutein sample
Data Source
AI summary
The use of ozonation has been discovered to increase the lutein extraction from aflatoxin-free corn and for some batches of alfalfa. In addition, the ozonation will substantially decrease any aflatoxin in the plant source. The structure of lutein as indicated by HPLC elution profile and the function of lutein using an antimutagenic activity was shown not to be affected by the ozonation.