Resveratrol Separation via Aqueous Two-Phase System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating resveratrol from wine industry waste, such as grape pomace and grape canes, are cumbersome, costly, and environmentally impactful due to the use of organic solvents, which also lead to degradation of the polyphenolic compound and isomerization issues.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an aqueous two-phase system with polyethylene glycol and a tartrate salt is used to separate resveratrol from biomass, where the polymer phase contains polyethylene glycol and the salt phase includes tartrate, citrate, or other salts, allowing for efficient extraction and recovery of resveratrol with minimal environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If organic solvent extraction is used to separate resveratrol from biomass, then extraction efficiency is improved, but environmental impact increases and compound degradation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the extraction medium from organic solvents to an aqueous two-phase system composed of polyethylene glycol and tartrate salt. This parameter change eliminates the environmental hazards and degradation issues associated with organic solvents while maintaining effective resveratrol extraction through the unique phase separation properties of the aqueous system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an aqueous two-phase system as an intermediary medium between the biomass and the extraction process. The polyethylene glycol and tartrate salt form separate aqueous phases that selectively partition resveratrol, serving as a benign intermediary that avoids direct contact with harmful organic solvents while achieving efficient separation.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional separation methods are used, then resveratrol can be extracted, but process complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the extraction process into two distinct aqueous phases through the formation of an aqueous two-phase system. The polyethylene glycol-rich phase and the tartrate salt-rich phase separately interact with the biomass, allowing resveratrol to partition into one phase while impurities remain in the other, simplifying the overall separation process compared to conventional multi-step methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extraction system by using environmentally benign aqueous components instead of complex organic solvent systems. This parameter change reduces process complexity by eliminating the need for solvent recovery, distillation, and multiple purification steps required in conventional methods.
3Manufacturing precision
If organic solvents are used for extraction, then resveratrol can be separated from biomass, but isomerization of resveratrol occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an inert aqueous environment using polyethylene glycol and tartrate salt that does not promote isomerization reactions. This inert aqueous phase system protects the resveratrol from the chemical conditions that cause isomerization, maintaining the stability of the trans-isomer composition throughout the extraction and separation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The aqueous two-phase system acts as a protective intermediary medium that separates resveratrol from conditions causing isomerization. The polyethylene glycol and tartrate salt phases provide a chemically gentle environment that maintains resveratrol stability while still enabling effective separation from biomass.
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 effectively extracts and recovers resveratrol with high yield, avoiding the drawbacks of organic solvent extraction, such as degradation and isomerization, and provides a more sustainable and cost-effective process for producing pure resveratrol for dietary supplements or medicaments.
Implementation Method 1
feeding the biomass into an aqueous two-phase system with a polymer phase and a salt phase and separating the polymer phase which includes the polyphenolic compound from the salt phase
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a method for separating a polyphenolic compound such as resveratrol from biomass. The method comprises feeding the biomass into an aqueous two-phase system with a polymer phase and a salt phase and separating the polymer phase which includes the polyphenolic compound from the salt phase. The polymer may be a polyether. The salt may be a tartrate salt, a citrate salt, a carbonate salt, a phosphate salt or a sulphate salt. The biomass may be derived from grape vines, knotweeds, pine trees, peanut plants, cocoa bushes, Vaccinium shrubs; geraniums of the Pelargonium genus, or the herb Polygonum Cuspidatum, for example. The biomass may be derived from winery waste. The polymer phase may comprise 10% (w/w) polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight of 8000 g/mol. The salt phase may comprise 15% (w/w) tartrate salt. The invention extends to medicaments and dietary supplements which include the polyphenolic compound.