Protein Extraction from Biomass Using Deep Eutectic Solvents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current protein extraction methods from biomass materials, such as agricultural side-streams and food industry waste, suffer from low yields and co-extraction of unwanted compounds, particularly in recalcitrant materials like brewer's spent grain, due to high pH alkaline solutions which can lead to protein denaturation and extensive chemical use.
Innovation Solution
A process using a deep eutectic solvent (DES) comprising alkali metal or earth alkaline metal carboxylates and urea is employed to treat biomass materials, allowing for high-yield and high-purity protein extraction by mixing at controlled temperatures and pressures, followed by separation and purification using techniques like ultrafiltration or isoelectric precipitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If aqueous alkali solutions are used for protein extraction, then extraction efficiency is improved, but protein denaturation and degradation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extraction medium by replacing aqueous alkali solutions with deep eutectic solvents (DES) having pH values between 4-7. This parameter change maintains high extraction efficiency while preventing protein denaturation and degradation that occurs at high pH values (10-12) in conventional alkali extraction methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs deep eutectic solvents as a disposable extraction medium that can be used once and then discarded or easily removed, eliminating the need for extensive pH adjustment steps and reducing the risk of cumulative protein damage that occurs with repeated exposure to alkali solutions.
2Productivity
If high pH alkaline solutions are used for extraction, then protein extraction is enhanced, but extensive use of acid and base chemicals is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the pH parameter of the extraction system by using deep eutectic solvents with pH 4-7 instead of conventional alkali solutions with pH 10-12. This eliminates the need for subsequent acid neutralization steps and reduces overall chemical consumption while maintaining effective protein extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts proteins using a milder DES medium that selectively solubilizes proteins without requiring the harsh chemical conditions of conventional alkali extraction, thereby taking out the proteins with minimal co-extraction of unwanted compounds and reduced chemical usage.
3Ease of operation
If aqueous alkali solutions are used for protein extraction, then extraction process is simplified, but co-extraction of unwanted compounds increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces deep eutectic solvents as an intermediary extraction medium that provides selective solubility for proteins while leaving unwanted compounds in the solid matrix. This intermediary DES enables both simple extraction operation and high protein purity by preventing co-extraction of contaminants that occur with conventional alkali solutions.
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 achieves high protein yields with improved quality, reduces co-extraction of non-protein compounds, and allows for efficient recycling of solvents, making it suitable for industrial-scale protein production for food and animal feeds.
Implementation Method 1
biomass material comprising proteins is treated with a deep eutectic solvent (DES) for providing proteins and protein fractions with high yields and purity
Implementation Method 2
A eutectic mixture forms a eutectic with a melting point much lower than any of the individual components
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for separating proteins and/or protein fractions from biomass materials, wherein the process comprises the steps, where in the first step biomass material is mixed with an aqueous DES comprising a hydrogen bond acceptor selected from alkali or earth alkaline metal carboxylates and urea as hydrogen bond donor to obtain biomass mixture; the second step the biomass mixture is separated into a non- solubilized fraction and a liquid fraction; and in the third step proteins are separated using technique based on molecular size from the liquid fraction to yield a protein solution, or using technique based on isoelectric precipitation to yield a protein precipitate.