Phytosterol Purification Using Polar Aprotic Solvent Washing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for purifying phytosterols to improve their color and reduce impurities while maintaining high yield are inefficient, as they often compromise on either yield or purity.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the use of at least one polar aprotic solvent for washing phytosterol crystals, which improves color and reduces sterol ester impurities without compromising yield, and includes steps like cooling, separation, washing with a solvent system, and drying to achieve purified phytosterol crystals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional purification methods are used, then the process is simple, but the color and purity of phytosterols are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the washing solvent from conventional non-polar solvents to polar aprotic solvents (such as acetone, acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, or dimethyl sulfoxide). This parameter change in solvent polarity enables selective removal of sterol ester impurities while preserving phytosterol crystals, thereby improving purity without significantly complicating the process.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional purification methods are used, then the process is simple, but the color quality of phytosterols deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solvent parameter from non-polar to polar aprotic solvents, which selectively dissolves sterol ester impurities that cause poor color quality. This parameter change in solvent properties enables improvement of color quality (Gardner color number) while maintaining process simplicity.
3Productivity
If yield is maximized, then more phytosterol is obtained, but impurity content increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the washing solvent parameter to polar aprotic solvents, which creates selective solubility conditions. Under these parameter changes, sterol ester impurities are selectively removed while phytosterol crystals are preserved, achieving both high yield and high purity simultaneously.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple washing steps are used, then purity is improved, but process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solvent parameter to polar aprotic solvents that provide superior selectivity in one washing step. This parameter change enables achieving high purity in fewer steps compared to conventional methods, thereby reducing process time while maintaining or improving purity.
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 significantly enhances the color and purity of phytosterols, reduces sterol ester content, and minimizes solvent content in the final product, achieving high yield and improved product quality.
Implementation Method 1
cooling the liquid mixture of step a. to form phytosterol crystals
Implementation Method 2
washing the phytosterols crystals of step c. with a solvent system comprising at least one polar aprotic solvent
Data Source
AI summary
A process for purification of phytosterols, said process comprising, a. providing a liquid mixture comprising a phytosterol, lower alcohol, wherein the lower alcohol is present in an amount of from 25 to 800% by weight, based on the amount of phytosterol; b. cooling the mixture to form phytosterol crystals, wherein the crystals are formed at a temperature of from of from 10° C. to 75° C., preferably 15° C. to 50° C., more preferably 20° C. to 45° C., even more preferably 25° C. to 35° C. c. separating the phytosterol crystals from the remainder of the mixture by filtration; d. subjecting the phytosterol crystals to washing with a solvent system comprising at least one polar aprotic solvent to obtain purified phytosterol; e. optionally repeating step (d); f. drying the washed phytosterol crystals; g. optionally melting and drying in molted state to remove traces of remaining solvent; and h. optionally subjecting to a particle-forming process to obtain solid sterol particles.