Plant Extraction Method Reducing Heavy Metals via Resin Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plant extraction methods are insufficient in removing heavy metal residues from plant extracts, particularly from plants like Moraceae, which tend to accumulate these contaminants, posing safety concerns and quality issues in final products.
Innovation Solution
A novel plant extraction method involving sequential resin separation, concentration, and alcohol precipitation, utilizing cation and anion resins to enhance separation efficiency and reduce heavy metal content while minimizing ethanol usage, thereby improving product quality and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water extraction and alcohol precipitation method is used, then plant extracts can be obtained, but heavy metal residues remain in the extracts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing heavy metal residues from the plant extract through a specific purification process. The extract is treated with resin adsorbents that selectively bind and remove heavy metals, effectively extracting the harmful substances from the beneficial plant components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses resin adsorbents as intermediary substances to facilitate the removal of heavy metals. These resins act as mediators that selectively bind heavy metal ions from the extract, allowing separation of harmful metals from the desired plant active components without directly affecting the plant extract itself.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional extraction methods are used, then extraction process is simple, but separation efficiency of active components is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the extraction process into distinct stages: initial water extraction, filtration, resin adsorption for heavy metal removal, and final purification. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently, improving overall separation efficiency while maintaining manageable process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting pH levels, temperature, and resin types at different stages of the extraction process. These parameter modifications enhance the selectivity and efficiency of active component separation while removing heavy metals, transforming a simple extraction into a precision purification process.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If resin separation and alcohol precipitation are used, then heavy metal residues are reduced, but ethanol consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using resin adsorption as a preliminary step before alcohol precipitation. The resin removes a significant portion of heavy metals in the aqueous phase, reducing the burden on subsequent ethanol precipitation steps and thereby decreasing overall ethanol consumption while maintaining effective heavy metal removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes part of the chemical precipitation process with physical adsorption using resins. This replacement reduces reliance on large amounts of ethanol for heavy metal removal, as the resin adsorbents physically bind metals through surface interactions rather than requiring extensive alcohol-based precipitation.
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
This method significantly reduces heavy metal residues in plant extracts, enhances the separation efficiency of active components, and decreases ethanol consumption, leading to improved product quality and reduced production costs.
Implementation Method 1
separating the crude extraction solution via a cation resin to collect the eluate, optionally, separating the eluate via an anion resin to collect the effluent
Implementation Method 2
adding ethanol to the crude extraction solution until the concentration of ethanol reaches an appropriate concentration to allow impurities insoluble in ethanol to precipitate
Data Source
AI summary
A plant extraction method includes the following steps: 1) preparation of a crude plant extraction solution; 2) separation of the crude extraction solution through a cation resin and an optional anion resin to obtain a collection solution; 3) concentration of the collection solution obtained in step 2); 4) alcohol precipitation of the concentration solution obtained in step 3); and optionally, step 5) concentration and drying. The method can effectively reduce the content of heavy metals in an extract, and reduce the amount of ethanol used in extraction, thereby improving the product quality and lowering the production cost, and the efficiency and safety of industrial production are improved. The extract obtained by this method can be used to prepare drugs for lowering blood lipid, treating abnormal glucose tolerance, treating diseases related to abnormal blood glucose, or regulating intestinal flora, and can be processed into food products, health-care products or drinks.