Pressurized Aqueous Solvent Extraction of Plant Biomass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting phytochemicals from plant biomass using organic solvents are hazardous due to toxicity concerns and inefficiencies, while hot-water systems are less effective and can leave residues, and existing pressurized hydrothermal processes alter water properties, affecting extraction efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The use of pressurized aqueous solvent solutions comprising combinations of organic and inorganic solutes, adjusted for temperature and pressure, to extract bioactive components from plant biomass in a controlled reactor system, allowing for efficient recovery and concentration of phytochemicals without the hazards of organic solvents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If organic solvents are used for extraction, then extraction efficiency is improved, but safety and health hazards increase due to toxicity and flammability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from organic solvents to pressurized hot water extraction. By changing the physical state and parameters of water (heating to subcritical temperatures around 100-374°C under pressure), the extraction efficiency is enhanced while eliminating the toxicity and flammability hazards associated with organic solvents. This parameter transformation allows water to achieve extraction capabilities comparable to organic solvents without the harmful side effects.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If unpressurized hot water is used for extraction, then safety is improved, but extraction efficiency decreases and phytochemical recovery is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming ordinary hot water into pressurized hot water extraction medium. By increasing the pressure and temperature parameters beyond atmospheric conditions, water achieves enhanced solvating power and extraction efficiency while maintaining safety. The subcritical water conditions (100-374°C) enable complete phytochemical recovery without the need for hazardous organic solvents.
3Productivity
If pressurized hydrothermal processes are used, then extraction efficiency is improved, but water properties are altered affecting selectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the temperature and pressure of water to achieve subcritical conditions. By carefully managing these parameters (temperature 100-374°C, pressure maintaining liquid state), the patent enhances extraction efficiency while understanding and accounting for the changes in water properties such as reduced dielectric constant and altered polarity. These controlled parameter changes enable optimized extraction of specific phytochemicals.
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 enables the efficient extraction and recovery of phytochemicals with improved safety and efficiency, reducing toxicity concerns and enhancing the yield of bioactive compounds, while maintaining the stability of extracted molecules.
Implementation Method 1
heating water under pressure to temperatures above its boiling point results in alteration of its key properties such as pH and polarity and decreases its dielectric constant to values that approximate those of solvents such as those exemplified by ethanol and methanol
Implementation Method 2
pressurized aqueous solvent solutions comprising combinations of organic and inorganic solutes, adjusted for temperature and pressure, to extract bioactive components from plant biomass
Implementation Method 3
heating water under pressure to temperatures above its boiling point results in alteration of its key properties
Implementation Method 4
decreases its dielectric constant to values that approximate those of solvents such as those exemplified by ethanol and methanol
Implementation Method 5
the catalytic action of hydronium ions from water ionization that occurs during controlled and concurrently increased temperatures and pressures
Implementation Method 6
produce in situ acids such as acetic acid generated from acetyl groups in the plant biomass, that will hydrolyse the polysaccharides and lignins comprising the biomass
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for extracting and recovering bioactive components from a biomass feedstock with pressurized aqueous solvent solutions comprising one or more organic solutes and/or one or more inorganic solutes. The methods comprise the steps of: (i) preparing a selected aqueous solvent solution for pressurizing; (ii) providing a flow of the prepared aqueous solvent solution to a plant biomass feedstock contained within a pressure-resistant temperature-controllable reactor vessel (iii) warming the flow of aqueous solvent solution and the contents of the reactor vessel to a selected temperature; (iv) pressurizing the flow of the aqueous solvent solution and the contents of the reactor vessel to a selected pressure; (v) controllably flowing the pressurized aqueous solvent solution through the reactor vessel while maintaining the contents of the reactor vessel at the selected pressure; and (vi) collecting a flow of the pressurized aqueous solvent solution egressing from the reactor vessel for a selected period of time.