Protein Extraction via Alkaline pH and Organic Solvent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for obtaining proteins from native mixtures, such as legume or rapeseed meal, often result in low purity due to energy-intensive drying steps and inefficient separation processes, particularly when using protein-lecithin mixtures.
Innovation Solution
A method involving finely chopping the mixture, adjusting the pH to an alkaline range, adding a water-soluble organic solvent, and separating the protein phase, which increases protein solubility and allows for effective displacement of oil and impurities, followed by precipitation and centrifugal separation to achieve high purity proteins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If proteins are separated using conventional methods (alkaline pH or acidic pH with alcohol), then protein concentrate or isolate is obtained, but the process requires energy-intensive drying steps and results in low purity when using protein-lecithin mixtures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pH parameter to alkaline conditions (pH 8-10) before adding the organic solvent, which fundamentally alters protein solubility behavior. This parameter change allows proteins to remain soluble while impurities precipitate, enabling separation without energy-intensive drying steps and achieving high purity in a single operation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts proteins from the protein-lecithin mixture by adding a water-soluble organic solvent at alkaline pH. The proteins are selectively dissolved and separated from impurities such as cellulose and shells, which remain insoluble. This extraction process achieves high purity without requiring subsequent drying operations
2Quantity of substance
If the pH is adjusted to alkaline range before adding organic solvent, then protein solubility increases and proteins are dissolved or finely distributed, but complete solubility is impaired by protein-lecithin mixture presence
Solution Approach 1:
The water-soluble organic solvent acts as an intermediary that bridges the alkaline environment and protein dissolution. It allows proteins to be selectively solubilized at alkaline pH while leaving impurities behind, achieving both high solubility and complete separation. The solvent mediates between the conflicting requirements of maximizing protein dissolution and ensuring complete separation from impurities
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 production of high-purity proteins by loosening bonds with impurities and facilitating effective separation, with the added benefit of simultaneous oil recovery and reduced presence of polyphenols in the protein phase.
Implementation Method 1
adjusting the pH value of the slurry to an alkaline range, i.e. to a pH value greater than 7.0
Implementation Method 2
This increases the solubility of the proteins in the aqueous medium, they are partially dissolved
Implementation Method 3
the organic water-soluble solvent is added, which, among other things, displaces oil from the dissolved protein suspension
Implementation Method 4
separating a protein phase from the slurry
Implementation Method 5
An aqueous paste is separated into solid and liquid components in a centrifuge
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for obtaining proteins from native substance mixtures, wherein a native substance mixture is first finely disintegrated and optionally processed to form a flowable paste (I) by adding a liquid, said method comprising the following steps: (i) setting the pH value of the paste (I) in an alkaline range; (ii) adding at least one water-soluble organic solvent after setting the pH value of the paste according to step (i); and (iii) separating a protein phase (VI) from the paste after step (ii).