Pressure Cycling Extraction of Molecules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current extraction methods are limited in extracting multiple classes of molecules from a sample, often exhausting the sample or preventing the extraction of additional classes, and are inefficient due to the need for vigorous mechanical shaking and potential air oxidation of extracted molecules.
Innovation Solution
The use of mixtures of immiscible extraction solvents with varying affinities, combined with pressure cycling to disrupt micelles and emulsions, allowing for the selective extraction of molecular entities based on their physiochemical properties without complete removal from the sample.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional liquid-liquid extraction is performed with immiscible solvents, then extraction of molecular entities can be achieved, but vigorous mechanical shaking is required which creates emulsions and exposes molecules to air oxidation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pressure cycling (changing pressure parameters between high and ambient levels) to alter the solubility and miscibility of extraction solvents. At high pressure, solvents become more miscible allowing efficient extraction; at ambient pressure, they separate into distinct phases enabling clean partitioning without emulsions, thereby eliminating the need for vigorous shaking and preventing air oxidation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic pressure cycling between high pressure and ambient pressure to achieve repeated dissolution and separation cycles. This periodic action enhances extraction efficiency by repeatedly disrupting micelles and emulsions while avoiding continuous mechanical shaking that would expose molecules to air oxidation
2Productivity
If a sample is used for extraction of one type of molecule, then that molecule can be extracted, but the sample is exhausted or additional classes of molecules cannot be extracted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple extraction solvents with different affinities for different classes of molecules (e.g., hydrophobic, amphipathic, hydrophilic solvents). This multi-functional solvent system allows a single extraction process to simultaneously extract multiple classes of molecular entities from the same sample by partitioning them into different solvent phases based on their physicochemical properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the extraction process by using distinct solvent phases with specific affinities for different molecule classes. Each solvent phase selectively extracts particular types of molecules, allowing systematic separation and extraction of multiple molecule classes from a single sample without exhaustion
3Productivity
If detergents are used to assist solubilization of hydrophobic entities, then extraction efficiency improves, but lather formation and air oxidation problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pressure cycling to change the solubility parameters of hydrophobic entities directly, eliminating the need for detergents. At high pressure, hydrophobic molecules become more soluble in the aqueous phase; upon pressure release, they partition into organic phases, achieving solubilization without detergents and thus avoiding lather formation and air oxidation
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 extraction of specific components over contaminants, achieving partial or complete separation with reduced use of detergents and improved efficiency by altering solvent solubility and miscibility, leading to enhanced recovery yields of hydrophobic molecules and direct compatibility with downstream analytical processes.
Implementation Method 1
High pressure can alter the mutual solubility of solvents. By selecting appropriate solvents, amounts of the solvents and pressure levels, it is possible to transiently mix immiscible solvents and the sample being extracted
Implementation Method 2
Depressurization (e.g., rapid depressurization) of such metastable system results in the separation of the mixture into distinct fractions and partitioning of molecular entities between the solvents
Implementation Method 3
High pressure can directly affect micelles by decreasing their size or disrupting them
Implementation Method 4
Repeated application of pressure (e.g., hydrostatic pressure) can lead to the disruption of micelles and emulsions and to the partitioning of the sample-derived molecules into separate liquid phases
Implementation Method 5
Liquid-liquid partitioning has been employed for extraction of molecular entities from complex mixtures based on the differential solubility of the molecules in different solvents
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of extracting a component of interest from a plurality of components are described.