Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis Wash Solvent Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS) methods require large amounts of solvent for washing, leading to significant solvent usage and waste, particularly due to the repetitive nature of the wash steps during peptide synthesis.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for recycling wash solvents in SPPS by collecting and reusing the solvent from successive washes, where the first quantity of wash solvent is sent to waste and subsequent quantities are collected and reused for subsequent washes, significantly reducing overall solvent usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wash solvent is discarded after each wash step in SPPS, then the washing function is reliably performed, but solvent consumption increases dramatically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle by collecting wash solvent that would normally be discarded and reusing it for subsequent wash steps. The system captures the effluent from each wash step and stores it in a reservoir, then pumps it back for reuse in future wash operations, thereby recovering valuable solvent and reducing overall consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by creating a closed-loop wash solvent management system that automatically collects, stores, and recirculates its own wash solvent. The effluent from wash steps serves the function of washing in subsequent steps, making the system self-sufficient and reducing dependence on fresh solvent input.
2Loss of substance
If wash solvent is reused for subsequent washes, then solvent consumption is reduced, but wash effectiveness may deteriorate due to accumulated contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the wash process into distinct phases: an initial wash step using fresh solvent to remove highly concentrated contaminants, followed by subsequent wash steps using recovered solvent. This segmentation ensures that the most critical contamination removal is performed with fresh solvent, while less critical washes benefit from solvent recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements local quality by applying different solvent qualities to different wash steps. Fresh, high-quality solvent is used for the first wash step where maximum cleaning power is needed, while recovered, lower-quality solvent is used for subsequent steps where the contaminant load is already reduced. This matches solvent quality to the local requirements of each wash step.
3Manufacturing precision
If large volumes of wash solvent are used, then complete removal of residual reagents and byproducts is achieved, but the complexity of solvent management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining multiple wash solvent streams into a single recovery and reuse system. The effluent from different wash steps is collected together in a common reservoir and then redistributed for reuse, simplifying the overall solvent management infrastructure while maintaining effective washing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements universality by designing the recovered wash solvent to serve multiple functions: it is reused for subsequent wash steps in the same synthesis run and can potentially be used in future synthesis campaigns. This multi-functional use of the same solvent reduces the need for dedicated solvent streams for each purpose.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed for washing an amino acid that has been added to a solid phase resin during solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), comprising:adding a first quantity of wash solvent, wherein once the wash with the first quantity of wash solvent is complete, sending the first quantity of wash solvent to waste; andadding a second quantity of wash solvent, wherein once the wash with the second quantity of wash solvent is complete, sending the second quantity of wash solvent to a container, wherein the second quantity of wash solvent will be used in the first wash for the next amino acid that is added.