Water-Soluble Polysaccharide Extraction from Saffron Corms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting polysaccharides from Crocus sativus corms are inefficient, generate toxic by-products, and require multiple steps, whereas the discarded corms could yield valuable polysaccharides for medicinal use.
Innovation Solution
A method involving crushing and macerating saffron corms in water at room temperature, followed by ethanol precipitation and drying, which reduces extraction time and maintains high yield and purity without using toxic reagents, optimizing the process for saffron corms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional extraction methods using toxic reagents (chloroform, n-butanol) are used, then extraction efficiency is improved, but environmental harm and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces toxic reagents (chloroform, n-butanol) with environmentally benign solvents (ethanol, water) while maintaining extraction efficiency. This converts a harmful extraction process into a safe one, eliminating toxic by-products while preserving the ability to extract polysaccharides effectively from saffron corms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes extraction parameters including solvent composition (ethanol-water ratio), temperature, and extraction time to achieve high extraction efficiency without using toxic reagents. By adjusting these parameters, the method maintains productivity while eliminating harmful factors
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple extraction steps are used to ensure high purity, then polysaccharide purity is improved, but process complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses selective extraction with ethanol-water solvent system to directly obtain high-purity polysaccharides from saffron corms in fewer steps. The optimized solvent composition and extraction conditions allow for effective separation of polysaccharides from other corm components without requiring multiple complex purification steps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary optimization of extraction parameters (solvent ratio, temperature, time) to ensure that a single or limited number of extraction steps yield high-purity polysaccharides. This preliminary optimization reduces the need for subsequent complex purification steps
3Productivity
If maceration is performed at elevated temperature to increase extraction speed, then extraction time is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the temperature parameter to achieve an balance between extraction speed and energy consumption. By carefully selecting the maceration temperature and adjusting other parameters (solvent composition, time), the method achieves efficient extraction without requiring excessive energy input
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 achieves high yield and purity of water-soluble polysaccharides with anti-cancer activity, specifically effective against human triple-negative breast cancer and melanoma cells, while minimizing environmental impact and avoiding toxic chemicals.
Implementation Method 1
crushing and macerating saffron corms in water at room temperature three times for 24 hours
Implementation Method 2
precipitating the polysaccharides from the saffron corm extract using ethanol in order to remove the active substances from the remaining liquid medium
Implementation Method 3
drying the precipitated material in an oven at 60-65° C until the precipitated material reaches a constant weight
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to the method of preparation of water-soluble extract of polysaccharide complex from Crocus sativus corms and their use in medicine, in particularly for the treatment of cancer. The water-soluble polysaccharide extract is obtained by selecting raw Crocus sativus corms, crushing them and macerating them in room temperature water (18-20°C) for 24 hours. Water-soluble polysaccharides are then extracted with water and precipitated. The resulting polysaccharide extract is dried and comminuted to a powder. The resulting water-soluble polysaccharide extract is intended for use in prophylaxis or treatment of cancer.