Sea Urchin Egg Extraction Using Non-Toxic Solvents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for obtaining polyhydroxylated 1,4-naphthoquinones from sea urchins involve the use of toxic organic solvents and acids, which are environmentally harmful and costly, and do not allow the sea urchins to be returned alive, making them unsuitable for pharmaceutical and food industry applications.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the chemical induction of spawning in female sea urchins to extract polyhydroxylated 1,4-naphthoquinones from eggs using non-toxic organic solvents like ethanol and methanol, without the use of acids or bases, allowing the sea urchins to remain alive and reducing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If toxic organic solvents and acids are used for extraction, then extraction efficiency is improved, but environmental harm and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extraction system by replacing toxic solvents and acids with non-toxic alternatives (ethanol, methanol, water). This parameter substitution maintains extraction efficiency while eliminating environmental harm, directly resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful factors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive, readily degradable solvents (ethanol, methanol) that can be easily disposed of or recycled without environmental contamination. These replace expensive, persistent toxic solvents, achieving both cost reduction and environmental protection
2Quantity of substance
If traditional extraction methods are used, then polyhydroxylated 1,4-naphthoquinones are obtained, but sea urchins cannot be returned alive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the extraction environment by using mild, non-toxic solvents (ethanol, methanol) instead of harsh chemicals. This allows the extraction process to proceed without harming the sea urchins, enabling them to survive and reproduce, thus resolving the contradiction between substance quantity and organism viability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces non-toxic organic solvents as intermediary substances that facilitate the extraction of polyhydroxylated 1,4-naphthoquinones without directly harming the sea urchins. These intermediaries enable the transfer of active compounds while preserving the biological integrity of the source organism
3Productivity
If acids and bases are used in extraction, then extraction effectiveness is improved, but environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the chemical nature of the extraction system by eliminating acids and bases entirely, replacing them with neutral organic solvents (ethanol, methanol). This parameter change maintains extraction effectiveness through solubility differences while eliminating the generation of harmful acidic or basic waste products
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the traditional harmful extraction approach into a beneficial one by using solvents that are inherently safe and environmentally friendly. The extraction effectiveness is achieved not through harsh chemical reactions but through selective solubility, turning a potentially harmful process into a benign one
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 purity extraction of polyhydroxylated 1,4-naphthoquinones with reduced costs and environmental impact, maintaining the sea urchins' viability for repeated egg production, and providing effective antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
Implementation Method 1
extracting the polyhydroxylated 1,4-naphthoquinones from the eggs, preserving the life of the sea urchin. In this extraction process, no acids or bases are used, but only organic solvents of low environmental impact such as ethanol and methanol
Data Source
AI summary
The invention refers to a method for obtaining polyhydroxy 1,4-naphthoquinones from live sea urchins, comprising the following steps:a) injecting a KCl saline solution into the perivisceral coeloma of female sea urchins to induce spawning;b) collecting the eggs, and grinding them into a fine powder;c) mixing said fine powder with an alcoholic solvent;d) separating the alcohol supernatant comprising the polyhydroxy 1,4-naphthoquinones in solution.Where the polyhydroxy 1,4-naphthoquinones are selected from: echinochrome A (6-ethyl-2,3,5,7,8-pentahydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), spinochrome A (2-acetyl-3,5,6,8-tetrahydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), spinochrome B (2,3,5,7-tetrahydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), spinochrome C (2-acetyl-3,5,6,7,8-pentahydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), spinochrome D (2,3,5,6,8-pentahydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), spinochrome E (hexahydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) or mixtures thereof.