Protein Isolation from Plant Material Using GRAS Solvents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for isolating proteins from plant materials, such as oilseeds, fail to effectively remove apolar components and impurities like oils and fats, leading to instability and reduced functional properties in protein isolates, which are essential for human consumption.
Innovation Solution
A scalable process involving pre-treatment of plant material, followed by extraction with an aqueous solvent and subsequent fractionation and purification using a novel combination of GRAS organic solvents, including water, alcohols, and apolar organic esters, to achieve high-purity protein isolates with retained native functional properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional aqueous and organic solvent extraction methods are used, then proteins can be extracted and purified from plant material, but apolar components and impurities such as oils and fats remain in the protein isolate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the extraction process into multiple sequential stages using different solvent systems. First, aqueous extraction removes polar impurities and proteins. Then, organic solvent extraction removes apolar impurities. Finally, a third solvent system performs selective extraction to achieve high purity. This segmentation allows each stage to target specific impurity types, resolving the contradiction between purification and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate solvent systems between the aqueous and final extraction stages. These intermediate organic solvents act as mediators that selectively remove apolar impurities while preserving protein integrity. The intermediate extraction step bridges the gap between initial purification and final stable product, eliminating harmful lipids without denaturing proteins.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple extraction and purification steps are implemented, then protein purity increases, but the process complexity and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extraction solvents across different stages. By systematically varying solvent polarity, composition, and concentration, the process achieves progressive purification. Each parameter change is optimized to target remaining impurities while maintaining protein stability, achieving high purity through controlled parameter progression rather than excessive process steps.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional extraction methods are used, then proteins can be isolated, but functional properties such as solubility and emulsion formation are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of using organic solvents (which might denature proteins) into a benefit by carefully selecting solvent systems that selectively remove apolar impurities without affecting protein structure. The intermediate organic extraction step, which could be harmful, is instead used to enhance protein purity and functional properties by removing lipids that would otherwise compromise emulsion formation and solubility.
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 process efficiently removes impurities, resulting in protein isolates with high protein content and improved stability, solubility, and emulsification capabilities, suitable for food applications while avoiding the use of harmful solvents and extreme conditions.
Implementation Method 1
extracting the solid cake obtained in step a) using a first solvent comprising at least 90 wt % of water, based on the total weight of the first solvent, to obtain a mixture of a first solid fraction and a first liquid fraction
Implementation Method 2
subsequent fractionation and purification using a novel combination of GRAS organic solvents, including water, alcohols, and apolar organic esters
Implementation Method 3
subsequent fractionation and purification using a novel combination of GRAS organic solvents
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a process wherein native and functional protein isolates can be successfully obtained from plant material such as oilseeds, legumes and lentils. This can be achieved by a proper pre-treatment of the plant material, followed by a method of extracting proteins under mild and non-destructive conditions using an aqueous solvent, followed by fractionation, concentration and further purification using a novel combination of GRAS organic solvents.