Pomace Extraction via Aqueous Diffusion and Solvent-Free Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for extracting bioactive compounds from fruit or vegetable pomace, such as polyphenols, are inefficient and often require organic solvents, failing to effectively recover valuable nutritional components.
Innovation Solution
A method involving diffusing pomace in an aqueous solution, followed by screening, pressing, spinning, filtering, and concentrating to separate and concentrate juice, which includes multiple redundant lines for processing and the use of reclaimed condensate to enhance extraction efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If alcohol or mixtures of alcohol and water are used as solvents to extract compounds from pomace, then extraction of valuable compounds can be achieved, but organic solvents are required which is harmful
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the extraction parameter from organic solvent to aqueous solution, specifically using water at controlled temperatures (e.g., 50-90°C) to extract polyphenols and other valuable compounds from pomace, thereby eliminating organic solvent usage while maintaining extraction efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses water, a cheap and readily available substance, as the extraction medium instead of expensive and harmful organic solvents, making the process more environmentally friendly and cost-effective
2Quantity of substance
If counter-current extraction is used to extract valuable compounds from pomace by diffusion, then extraction can be achieved, but the process is not efficient enough
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by conducting a diffusion step before the main extraction process, where pomace is pre-treated with aqueous solution to facilitate subsequent efficient extraction and improve overall productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous extraction processes with multiple stages including diffusion, screening, pressing, and centrifugation that operate continuously to maximize extraction efficiency and productivity, rather than batch processing
3Productivity
If multiple screening and pressing lines are used to process pomace, then extraction efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the extraction process into separate functional stages (diffusion, screening, pressing, centrifugation) that can be processed through multiple parallel lines, allowing each line to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs processing lines with multi-functional equipment that can perform multiple operations (e.g., screening and pressing in sequence), reducing the need for completely separate dedicated equipment for each function and thereby managing complexity
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 efficiently produces an extract with high polyphenol content and superior color, achieving a brix of 20 to 40, effectively recovering valuable nutrients from pomace without the need for organic solvents.
Implementation Method 1
diffusing the pomace in an aqueous solution to form a hydrated pomace (which diffusing step may include heating and agitating the pomace)
Implementation Method 2
diffusing the pomace in an aqueous solution to form a hydrated pomace (which diffusing step may include heating and agitating the pomace)
Implementation Method 3
spinning the combined pressed juice whereby a clarified juice and a sediment are separated from the combined pressed juice
Data Source
AI summary
A process for making a fruit or vegetable extract including diffusing, screening, and pressing the pomace, and spinning, filtering and concentrating juice from the pomace to form an extract. Also, the pomace may be hydrated at various points during this process by water or by reclaimed condenser condensate. Also included is an extract made using the present inventive methods.