Reb X Purification by Multi-Column Adsorption for Better Taste
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-caloric sweeteners, such as steviol glycosides, exhibit undesirable taste properties like licorice taste, bitterness, astringency, and sweet aftertaste, particularly at concentrations needed for full sugar replacement, leading to significant deterioration in product taste.
Innovation Solution
A multi-column system using adsorbent resin to purify steviol glycosides, specifically Reb X, by separating and eluting fractions with high Reb X content, followed by decolorization, solvent removal, and deionization to achieve high purity levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If steviol glycosides are used as non-caloric sweeteners, then caloric content is reduced, but taste quality deteriorates due to licorice taste, bitterness, and astringency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the steviol glycoside mixture into individual pure compounds through chromatographic separation. Each glycoside (stevioside, rebaudioside A, rebaudioside C, etc.) is isolated separately to eliminate the mixture's undesirable licorice taste and astringency, while preserving the desired sweetness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by selecting and combining specific steviol glycosides based on their individual taste profiles. Rebaudioside A and rebaudioside C are selected for their sweet taste with minimal aftertaste, while excluding glycosides that contribute bitterness or licorice notes, creating a customized sweetener composition.
2Quantity of substance
If concentration of steviol glycosides is increased to replace full sugar, then sweetness intensity improves, but undesirable taste properties worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic components (bitter and astringent glycosides) from the steviol glycoside mixture through chromatographic separation. By taking out only the desirable sweet-tasting glycosides like rebaudioside A and C, the composition achieves high sweetness intensity without the negative taste properties that worsen at higher concentrations.
3Ease of manufacture
If purification process is simplified, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but purity level of Reb X deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the purification process into distinct chromatographic steps using different resin types (ion-exchange resin followed by adsorption resin). This segmented approach achieves high Reb X purity (greater than 60%, up to 90%) through systematic separation while maintaining reasonable manufacturing complexity by using standard industrial chromatography techniques.
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 method produces Reb X with purity levels exceeding 60% and up to 90%, providing a sweetener with a temporal and flavor profile similar to sucrose, suitable for use in sweetener and sweetened compositions.
Implementation Method 1
passing a solution of steviol glycosides through a multi-column system including a plurality of columns packed with an adsorbent resin to provide at least one column having adsorbed steviol glycosides
Implementation Method 2
eluting fractions with high Reb X content from the at least one column having absorbed steviol glycosides to provide an eluted solution with high Reb X content
Data Source
AI summary
A method is described for purifying Rebaudioside X using a plurality of adsorbent columns packed with an adsorbent resin, passing a solution containing Rebaudioside X through the columns to adsorb Rebaudioside X onto the adsorbent resin, and eluting the Rebaudioside X from the adsorbent resin to result in purified Rebaudioside X.