Sphingan Oligosaccharide Production via Solid Acid Hydrolysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preparing sphingan oligosaccharides using strong acids result in high residual salt content, which is undesirable due to regulatory limits and potential side effects, as well as an unacceptable taste for consumers.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the use of a solid acid to hydrolyze sphingan compositions, followed by separation of the acidified sphingan composition and addition of a base to achieve a sphingan oligosaccharide composition with reduced residual salt content, typically below 0.5% by weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If strong acid (e.g., sulfuric acid) is used to hydrolyze sphingan composition, then reaction time is reduced, but residual salt content increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a solid acid catalyst as an intermediary substance that enables efficient hydrolysis without introducing soluble salt byproducts. The solid acid acts as a mediator between the sphingan composition and the hydrolysis reaction, allowing rapid reaction while remaining in solid form for easy separation, thus avoiding the salt contamination problem associated with strong mineral acids.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the acid catalyst from liquid (strong mineral acids) to solid form. This parameter change fundamentally alters the reaction system's behavior: solid acids provide catalytic activity for rapid hydrolysis while their solid state prevents them from dissolving into the product, thereby achieving both fast reaction kinetics and low residual salt content.
2Quantity of substance
If ion exchange treatment is used to separate salts, then salt removal is achieved, but pH variations increase causing discoloration and off-taste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using solid acid catalysis from the outset to prevent soluble salt formation during hydrolysis. By choosing a solid acid catalyst that does not dissolve into the reaction mixture, the process preemptively avoids the salt contamination problem that would otherwise require ion exchange treatment, thereby preventing the pH variations and associated quality issues before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts or removes the problematic soluble salt component from the system by replacing traditional liquid acid catalysts with solid acid catalysts. This extraction of the harmful soluble salt byproduct eliminates the need for subsequent ion exchange treatment steps that cause pH variations, discoloration, and off-taste in the final product.
3Productivity
If traditional acid hydrolysis method is used, then sphingan oligosaccharide is produced, but salt separation processing becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The solid acid catalyst serves as an intermediary that simplifies the overall processing system. By mediating the hydrolysis reaction in solid form, it enables efficient oligosaccharide production while simultaneously eliminating the need for complex salt separation equipment and procedures, thus reducing device complexity without compromising productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical separation system (ion exchange resins and associated equipment) with a simpler solid-liquid separation approach. The solid acid catalyst can be removed by simple filtration or decantation, substituting complex mechanical separation systems with simpler physical separation methods, thereby reducing device complexity.
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 process effectively reduces the residual salt content of sphingan oligosaccharides to levels acceptable for ingestible compositions, meeting regulatory standards and improving consumer acceptance by minimizing unwanted taste and side effects.
Implementation Method 1
A process involving the use of a solid acid to hydrolyze sphingan compositions
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a sphingan oligosaccharide composition, its uses, and a process for preparing the same.