Raffinose Extraction from Defatted Wheat Germ

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for preparing high-purity raffinose from defatted wheat germ are inefficient, with low yield, high solvent consumption, and high costs, making them unsuitable for industrial-scale production.

Innovation Solution

A process involving percolation extraction, decoloration, electrodialysis desalination, simulated moving bed adsorption, and crystallization, using 60-90% aqueous alcohol and recycled solvents, to achieve high purity and recovery of raffinose with simpler equipment and lower costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional extraction methods are used, then raffinose can be obtained, but the yield is low and solvent consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveraffinose yieldVSAvoidsolvent consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical extraction methods with electrodialysis technology, using electrical fields to separate and concentrate raffinose from the extraction solution. This substitution enables more efficient recovery of raffinose with reduced solvent consumption, directly addressing the contradiction between productivity and substance loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs simulated moving bed chromatography to dynamically adjust separation parameters, optimizing the partitioning of raffinose from other components. By continuously varying flow rates and separation conditions, the system achieves high yield extraction while minimizing solvent requirements, resolving the contradiction between productivity and substance loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple purification steps are used, then raffinose purity increases, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveraffinose purityVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple purification functions into an integrated system where electrodialysis and simulated moving bed chromatography work sequentially to achieve high purity in a streamlined process. This merging of functions maintains manufacturing precision while reducing overall process complexity compared to traditional multi-step purification methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The simulated moving bed system operates continuously to maintain separation efficiency, eliminating the need for repeated batch purification steps. This continuous operation achieves consistent high purity output while simplifying the process flow and reducing equipment complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Manufacturing precision

If traditional decolorization methods are used, then raffinose can be purified, but activated carbon consumption is high and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveraffinose purityVSAvoidactivated carbon consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical adsorption using activated carbon with electrodialysis-based purification, using electrical fields to remove impurities instead of consuming large amounts of activated carbon. This substitution maintains purification effectiveness while dramatically reducing material consumption and operational costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Manufacturing precision

If extensive crystallization is used, then raffinose purity increases, but production time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveraffinose purityVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The electrodialysis and simulated moving bed systems operate continuously to achieve high purity separation in a single pass, eliminating the need for extended crystallization periods. This continuous operation maintains manufacturing precision while significantly reducing production time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary concentration and separation of raffinose using electrodialysis before final crystallization, pre-conditioning the solution to facilitate faster and more efficient crystal formation. This preliminary action reduces the time required for extensive crystallization while maintaining high purity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10301341B2Technology for extracting and preparing high-purity raffinose from defatted wheat germ

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 ZHEJIANG UNIV

AI summary

The present invention discloses a process for preparing high-purity raffinose from defatted wheat germ comprising the steps of percolate extraction of raffinose from defatted wheat germ, decoloration by extraction from the abstraction liquid, electrodialysis desalination, impurity removal by simulated moving bed, concentration and crystallization, with the absolute purity of raffinose as high as 98% and the recovery up to 75%. The process is not only reliable and easy to operate, but also easy to realize industrial production and control the parameters.