Steviol Glycoside Purification via Multi-Column Adsorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for isolating and purifying steviol glycosides, particularly Rebaudioside D, from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni are inefficient and costly, resulting in low purity levels that are not commercially viable for use in food products, and there is a need for a method to enhance steviol glycoside content in low purity preparations to meet regulatory requirements for human consumption.
Innovation Solution
A multi-column system using adsorbent resin is employed to purify steviol glycosides, including Rebaudioside D, through elution and crystallization with aqueous alcohol solutions, achieving high purity levels of over 95% by weight, allowing for the production of highly purified steviol glycoside mixtures suitable for use in food and other products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional isolation and purification methods are used for steviol glycosides, then the production cost is reduced, but the purity level remains low and is not commercially viable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the purification process into multiple sequential steps including extraction, filtration, concentration, and chromatography. Each step targets specific impurities and progressively increases purity, transforming a single complex purification step into manageable segments that collectively achieve >95% purity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary extraction and concentration steps before the main purification process. By pre-concentrating the steviol glycosides and removing bulk impurities beforehand, the subsequent chromatography step becomes more efficient and cost-effective, achieving high purity without excessive cost.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple purification steps are implemented to increase purity, then the purity level exceeds 95%, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The purification process is segmented into distinct operational units (extraction, filtration, concentration, chromatography) that can be independently optimized and controlled. This modular approach manages complexity by breaking down the overall complex process into simpler, well-defined stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes in the chromatography step, such as gradient elution with varying solvent compositions and flow rates, to achieve high purity separation. By dynamically adjusting parameters rather than using fixed conditions, the process achieves >95% purity without requiring excessive additional equipment.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional purification methods are used, then the production cost is lower, but the taste profile remains poor with bitterness and aftertaste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifically targets and extracts bitter-tasting impurities and unwanted co-eluting compounds during the chromatography step. By selectively removing these harmful components that cause bitterness and aftertaste, the final product achieves superior taste profile. The method takes out not just any impurity but specifically those affecting sensory quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the challenge of complex mixtures containing bitter compounds into an advantage by using chromatography to separate and isolate the sweet-tasting steviol glycosides from bitter impurities. The complexity of the mixture becomes beneficial as it allows selective removal of harmful bitter components while retaining desired sweet compounds, improving taste profile.
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 method effectively increases the purity of steviol glycosides to levels exceeding 95%, making them suitable for commercial use in food and other applications, while reducing production costs and improving taste profiles by minimizing bitterness and aftertaste.
Implementation Method 1
passing a solution of steviol glycosides through a multi-column system including a plurality of columns packed with an adsorbent resin, to obtain at least one column having adsorbed steviol glycosides
Implementation Method 2
The adsorbed steviol glycosides are then eluted from the column or columns having adsorbed steviol glycosides, to obtain an eluted solution of steviol glycosides
Implementation Method 3
Fractions with a high Rebaudioside D content are then eluted with an aqueous alcohol solution. Rebaudioside D may be further purified by mixing the high Rebaudioside D fractions with a first aqueous alcohol solution to obtain a Rebaudioside D solution, inducing crystallization to obtain first crystals of Rebaudioside D
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2e
Figure 2f~2k
AI summary
Methods of preparing highly purified steviol glycosides, particularly Rebaudioside D, are described. The methods include purification from the extraction stage of the Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plant, purification of steviol glycoside mixtures, Rebaudioside D and Rebaudioside A from a commercial Stevia extract, and purification of Rebaudioside D from remaining solutions obtained after isolation and purification of Rebaudioside A and a high purity mixture of steviol glycosides. The methods are useful for producing high purity Rebaudioside D, Rebaudioside A, and steviol glycoside mixtures. The high purity steviol glycosides are useful as non-caloric sweeteners in edible and chewable compositions such as any beverages, confectioneries, bakery products, cookies, and chewing gums.