Automated Protein Analyzer Using Dye Precipitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current protein measurement techniques, such as Kjeldahl and Dumas methods, are indirect and complex, requiring extensive calibration and handling, and are inefficient for heterogeneous materials, while dye-binding methods are cumbersome and prone to errors due to multiple manipulative steps and stringent reagent handling.
Innovation Solution
An automated protein analyzer that includes a homogenizer, a reaction vessel, a reservoir for binding dye composition, a metering pump, a filter for separating solids from filtrate, and a colorimeter to measure absorbance, allowing direct and rapid protein analysis by comparing absorbance signals from reference and sample dye solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Kjeldahl or Dumas techniques are used to determine protein content, then total nitrogen can be measured, but the method is indirect and complex requiring extensive calibration and handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and measures only the protein-specific nitrogen component by using a protein precipitating reagent that selectively binds to proteins, separating protein nitrogen from other nitrogen sources. This allows direct protein determination without measuring total nitrogen and performing complex calculations to estimate protein content.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated analyzer integrates multiple functions into a single system: sample homogenization, reagent mixing, incubation, filtration, and colorimetric measurement. This multi-functional device replaces multiple separate manual operations and instruments, simplifying the overall procedure while maintaining accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If Kjeldahl test is performed with heating sulfuric acid to 300°C, then nitrogen conversion to ammonium sulfate is achieved, but the test takes as long as 4 or 5 hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a pre-formulated protein precipitating reagent that has been prepared in advance to contain all necessary components for selective protein binding. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming step-by-step reagent preparation and allows the actual measurement to be completed rapidly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal/chemical digestion process (heating sulfuric acid to 300°C over hours) with a cold chemical precipitation method using a protein-specific reagent. This substitution of the measurement mechanism dramatically reduces test duration from hours to minutes while maintaining precision.
3Measurement precision
If dye-binding method is used with manual filtration and colorimetry, then protein content can be measured, but the method is cumbersome and prone to errors due to multiple manipulative steps
Solution Approach 1:
The automated analyzer performs self-service by automatically executing the entire measurement sequence: the system mixes reagents, controls incubation timing, performs filtration, and conducts colorimetric measurement without manual intervention. This eliminates operator errors from manual manipulations while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple separate operations (mixing, incubation, filtration, measurement) into a single integrated automated workflow. This combination eliminates the need for manual handling between steps, reducing errors from multiple manipulative operations while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.
4Productivity
If indirect techniques such as infrared spectroscopy are used, then analysis can be performed, but extensive calibration is required and water obscures infrared absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from infrared absorption (which is obscured by water) to visible light absorption (colorimetry) after chemical reaction. This parameter change allows measurement in the presence of water while maintaining precision, as the dye-protein complex produces a strong visible color signal that is not obscured by water.
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
The automated system minimizes errors and complexity by automating the protein measurement process, reducing the need for multiple steps and stringent reagent handling, providing accurate and efficient protein content determination.
Implementation Method 1
a homogenizer for reducing protein samples to small particles
Implementation Method 2
Proteins and these specified dyes react to form precipitated solids that remove the dye molecules from the solution
Implementation Method 3
a filter in material transfer communication with the reaction vessel for separating solids from filtrate
Implementation Method 4
a colorimeter for measuring the absorbance of the filtrate from the reaction vessel and the filter
Data Source
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AI summary
An automated protein analyzer comprising: a reservoir for protein binding dye compositions; a protein-dye reaction vessel in fluid communication with said dye reservoir; a colorimeter in fluid communication with said reservoir; a pump in fluid communication with said reservoir and at least one of said colorimeter and said reaction vessel for transferring dye compositions from said reservoir to at least one of said colorimeter and said reaction vessel; a processor in signal communication with said colorimeter for receiving the absorbance output from said colorimeter; and memory in signal communication with said processor for storing output from said colorimeter that includes absorbance; so that said processor can compare the baseline absorbance of a reference binding dye composition to the specific absorbance of a binding dye composition following reaction with a protein to thereby calculate and determine the amount of protein in a protein sample based upon the difference between the absorbance of the reference dye and the absorbance of the reference dye after it has reacted with a protein sample.