Polyphenol Extraction pH Control for Clear Biomass Filtration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for producing polyphenol compositions from herbaceous biomass face issues with inefficient solid-liquid separation and filtration performance, often resulting in micelle-like phenomena that hinder effective separation and purification.

Innovation Solution

A method involving adjusting the pH of an alkali-treated extract of herbaceous biomass to 3.2 to 4.5 and reacting it with enzymes having cellobiohydrolase and xylanase activities, followed by solid-liquid separation and filtration through various separation membranes to obtain a clear polyphenol-containing composition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional alkali treatment followed by acidic adjustment and solid-liquid separation is used, then polyphenol composition can be obtained, but micelle-like phenomenon occurs preventing effective separation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolid-liquid separation efficiencyVSAvoidmicelle-like phenomenon
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the pH to a specific range (3.2-4.5) and controlling the alkaline treatment conditions to prevent micelle formation. By optimizing these parameters, the patent eliminates the harmful micelle-like phenomenon while maintaining effective solid-liquid separation, directly resolving the technical contradiction between separation efficiency and micelle formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If enzyme treatment is added to improve polyphenol extraction, then extraction efficiency increases, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolyphenol extraction efficiencyVSAvoidprocess steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the enzyme treatment step with the existing pH adjustment and solid-liquid separation process. By integrating cellulase and pectinase treatment into the flow chart alongside pH control and filtration, the patent enhances polyphenol extraction efficiency without creating a completely separate complex process, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement and process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple separation membranes are used for purification, then filtration performance improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration performanceVSAvoidmembrane separation system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the purification process into distinct stages using different membrane types (microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration) with specific pore sizes. Each membrane layer targets different particle sizes and impurities, achieving high filtration performance through systematic segmentation rather than using a single complex system, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 approach enhances the efficiency of polyphenol production by preventing micelle-like phenomena and improving filtration performance, resulting in a clear liquid with enhanced polyphenol content.

Implementation Method 1

reacting the extract with an enzyme having cellobiohydrolase activity and xylanase activity to obtain an enzyme reaction solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme catalysis: Enzyme

Implementation Method 2

subjecting the enzyme reaction solution obtained in step (2) to solid-liquid separation to obtain a clear liquid containing a polyphenol-containing composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12630849B2Method for producing polyphenol-containing composition
Publication Date: 2026.05.19 TORAY INDUSTRIES INC

AI summary

A method of producing a polyphenol-containing composition derived from herbaceous biomass includes: (1) bringing the herbaceous biomass into contact with an alkaline aqueous solution to obtain an extract; (2) adjusting pH of the extract obtained in step (1) to 3.2 or more and 4.5 or less and reacting the extract with an enzyme having cellobiohydrolase activity and xylanase activity to obtain an enzyme reaction solution; and (3) subjecting the enzyme reaction solution obtained in step (2) to solid-liquid separation to obtain a clear liquid containing a polyphenol-containing composition.