Rebaudioside Purification via Temperature-Controlled Crystallization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for purifying rebaudiosides A, B, and D from Stevia extracts often compromise between purity and yield, with a need for more effective separation techniques to obtain these glycosides in high purity forms for use as non-caloric sweeteners.
Innovation Solution
The method involves creating a slurry of glycosides with a solid and liquid phase, aging it at elevated temperatures, and filtering to separate the phases, allowing for the recovery of rebaudioside A, B, or D in high purity forms by selectively partitioning them between the solid and liquid phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional purification methods are used to obtain high purity rebaudioside A, then purity is improved, but yield deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying temperature, solvent composition, and pH during the purification process. Specifically, the method uses temperature-controlled crystallization from ethanol-water solutions and adjusts pH to selectively precipitate different rebaudioside forms, achieving both high purity and high yield by optimizing these parameters rather than using fixed conventional conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits phase transitions through controlled crystallization and dissolution cycles. The process involves dissolving crude rebaudioside A in hot ethanol-water solution, then cooling to crystallize pure material, and using pH adjustment to trigger selective precipitation. These phase transitions enable separation of pure product from impurities while minimizing loss
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple purification steps are implemented to separate rebaudiosides, then purity is improved, but process complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple purification functions into a single integrated process. By combining temperature-controlled crystallization, pH adjustment, and selective dissolution into one continuous operation using ethanol-water solutions, the method achieves effective separation of rebaudioside A from B and D without requiring multiple separate purification units or complex equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The ethanol-water solution system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a solvent for dissolution, a crystallization medium for purification, and a pH buffer when combined with acid or base adjustments. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate reagents and equipment for each purification step
3Manufacturing precision
If selective crystallization is used to purify rebaudioside A, then purity is improved, but processing time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by conducting a quick initial filtration to remove insoluble impurities and adjusting the pH to optimal levels before the main crystallization step. This preliminary preparation ensures that the subsequent temperature-controlled crystallization proceeds rapidly and efficiently, reducing overall processing time while maintaining high purity
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 approach achieves high purity and yield of rebaudiosides, enabling the production of sweetener compositions with enhanced purity levels, particularly for rebaudioside A, while reducing impurities like rebaudioside B and D, thus improving the industrial scalability and efficiency of the purification process.
Implementation Method 1
aging it at elevated temperatures, and filtering to separate the phases, allowing for the recovery of rebaudioside A, B, or D in high purity forms by selectively partitioning them between the solid and liquid phases
Implementation Method 2
filtering to separate the phases
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides methods to treat mixtures containing natural rebaudioside A (Reb A), rebaudioside B (Reb B), and rebaudioside D (Reb D), synthetic counterparts of these, and/or derivatives of the natural or synthetic embodiments obtain one or more of these glycosides in more pure form. In many embodiments, the invention can be used to process glycoside mixtures obtained at least in part from natural sources such as the Stevia plant. This allows, for instance, the recovery of a product including Reb A material in more pure form relative to Reb B material or Reb D material. As an alternative or in addition to recovery of the purified Reb A material, a product including Reb B material and/or Reb D material in more pure form relative to Reb A material can be obtained.