Plant Material Impregnation for Active Substance Availability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional extraction processes for active substances from plants used in animal feed are costly, energy-intensive, and generate significant waste, often requiring hazardous solvents, which pose environmental and regulatory challenges.

Innovation Solution

A process involving impregnation of plant raw materials with a polar solvent followed by partial evaporation, where the solvent is recovered and reused, eliminating the need for intermediate separation steps and reducing waste generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional extraction processes are used to obtain active substances from plants, then the availability of active substances is improved, but the process becomes costly and energy-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of active substancesVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transitions of water (liquid to vapor to liquid) through freezing and evaporation cycles to separate and concentrate active substances from plant materials, replacing energy-intensive conventional extraction processes while maintaining high availability of active substances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The process employs natural physical phenomena (freezing, evaporation, condensation) to achieve separation and concentration without requiring external solvents or complex chemical reagents, thereby reducing energy consumption and operational costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If conventional extraction processes are used to obtain active substances from plants, then the availability of active substances is improved, but significant waste is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of active substancesVSAvoidwaste generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent recovers and reuses water through condensation of evaporated vapor, preventing waste generation while maintaining high availability of active substances. The process transforms what would be waste (spent solvent) into a reusable resource

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The process converts the potentially harmful aspect of large-volume solvent use into a benefit by utilizing water's unique properties (freezing point, evaporation rate) to achieve separation, thereby eliminating hazardous waste while maintaining extraction efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If conventional extraction processes are used to obtain active substances from plants, then the availability of active substances is improved, but hazardous solvents are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of active substancesVSAvoidhazardous solvents

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, hazardous solvents with water, a safe and inexpensive substance that can be easily disposed of or reused without environmental harm, while achieving the same extraction effectiveness for active substances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The process creates a safe processing environment by using water instead of flammable or toxic solvents, eliminating hazards associated with solvent storage, handling, and disposal while maintaining extraction efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

4Reliability

If conventional extraction processes are used to obtain active substances from plants, then the availability of active substances is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of active substancesVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (extraction, separation, concentration, purification) into a single integrated process using water phase transitions, eliminating the need for separate extraction equipment, filtration systems, and solvent recovery apparatus required by conventional methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enhances the availability of active substances by up to 25% while minimizing environmental impact and operational costs, producing a more efficient and sustainable product.

Implementation Method 1

carry out an impregnation step by placing said plant raw material in contact with a solvent called polar impregnation solvent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

carry out partial evaporation, preferably at atmospheric pressure, of the polar impregnation solvent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3485952B1Ecological method for improving the availability of active substances from plant materials

Publication Date: 2020.07.22 NOR FEED

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for improving the bioavailability of an active substance contained in a plant-based raw material, comprising the following steps: a) having at least one plant-based raw material; b) carrying out an impregnation step by bringing said raw material into contact with a polar solvent for a period of 1 hour to 2 days at a temperature ranging from 5°C to the boiling point of the polar solvent; c) carrying out partial evaporation until a product is obtained comprising 5 to 50% by weight of solvent, said method being such that the solvent evaporation step is carried out directly on the entire mixture. It also relates to the product obtainable by this method, a composition containing said product, and the use of said product in animal feed.