Phospholipid Extraction Without Chloroform or Chromatography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for extracting and purifying phospholipids from animal brain use carcinogenic solvents like chloroform and require silica gel chromatography, resulting in contaminated products with solvent residues and protein components, and do not effectively enrich the final product in phosphatidylserine (PS).
Innovation Solution
A solvent-free extraction and purification process using acetone, methanol, and salt solutions, followed by filtration and solvent washes, to produce phospholipids with a high PS/PC ratio of 0.8-1.6, free from contaminants and solvent residues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional extraction methods using chloroform and silica gel chromatography are employed, then phospholipids can be extracted from animal brain, but the final product is contaminated with solvent residues and protein components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes harmful components (proteins, solvent residues) from the phospholipid preparation process by replacing traditional carcinogenic solvents with acetone and methanol, and eliminating silica gel chromatography in favor of selective precipitation and filtration methods that separate contaminants from the final product
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of protein contamination into a beneficial separation process by using selective precipitation where proteins precipitate out while phospholipids remain in solution, allowing easy removal of the harmful contaminant
2Quantity of substance
If traditional extraction methods are used, then phospholipids can be obtained, but the final product is not enriched in phosphatidylserine (PS)
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different treatment conditions to different phospholipid components during the extraction process, using selective precipitation conditions that favor the concentration and enrichment of phosphatidylserine in the final product while other phospholipids remain distributed differently
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes physical and chemical parameters (solvent composition, temperature, pH) during the extraction process to optimize for PS enrichment, adjusting conditions at different stages to selectively concentrate phosphatidylserine in the final preparation
3Productivity
If carcinogenic solvents like chloroform are used for extraction, then phospholipids can be effectively extracted, but harmful residues remain in the final product
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive and harmful carcinogenic solvents like chloroform with cheaper, non-carcinogenic alternatives such as acetone and methanol that can be completely evaporated without leaving harmful residues, sacrificing some extraction efficiency for complete product safety
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the chemical extraction mechanism using carcinogenic solvents with a different chemical system based on acetone-methanol-water mixtures followed by evaporation and reconstitution, eliminating the harmful chemical agents while maintaining extraction capability
4Manufacturing precision
If silica gel chromatography is used for purification, then phospholipids can be separated, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for complex silica gel chromatography equipment by using simple filtration and centrifugation steps that achieve comparable purification through selective precipitation and phase separation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a simplified alternative process that copies the purification function of chromatography using inexpensive filtration materials and simple centrifugation, achieving the same separation effect without complex equipment
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 process yields highly pure, PS-enriched phospholipids suitable for treating neuroendocrine disorders and Long-Covid symptoms by improving mental clarity and reducing fatigue, without using harmful solvents or chromatography.
Implementation Method 1
adding a mixture of solvents comprising acetone and methanol to the ground product
Implementation Method 2
adding acetone and CaCl2 dihydrate to the subnatant of step f., stirring and settling
Implementation Method 3
adding a mixture of solvents comprising acetone and methanol to the ground product, stirring and settling
Implementation Method 4
adding water and ethanol, stirring and settling
Implementation Method 5
separating the subnatant of step j., adding water and ethanol, stirring and settling; separating the subnatant of step k. by filtration through a filter with a filtration degree of 3μm, or alternatively 0.8 μm, and subsequently 0.2 μm
Implementation Method 6
removing the solvent under vacuum to obtain the purified phospholipids
Implementation Method 7
removing the solvent under vacuum
Data Source
AI summary
An industrial process is described for the extraction and purification of phospholipids from animal brain, particularly pure and with a high percentage content of phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylcholine (PC), especially enriched in PS, and the use of these phospholipids in the treatment of the pathology defined as "Long-Covid".