Sucralose Purification via Ionic Ratio Adjustment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current sucralose purification processes face challenges in achieving high purity due to the presence of chlorinated sugar impurities, which affect the sweetness and flavor-modifying properties of sucralose, and existing solvent extraction methods are not efficient for large-volume commercial production.

Innovation Solution

The process involves adjusting the ratio of sodium chloride (NaCl) to dimethylammonium chloride (DMAHCl) in the aqueous solution to enhance the partition coefficient of sucralose into an organic phase during solvent extraction, allowing for improved separation and purification of sucralose from other chlorinated saccharides.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If solvent extraction is used to purify sucralose from synthesis mixture, then sucralose can be separated from hydrophobic and hydrophilic impurities, but the presence of dimethylammonium chloride reduces the partition coefficient and extraction efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidpurity of sucralose

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the ionic composition parameters of the aqueous phase by adjusting the ratio of sodium chloride to dimethylammonium chloride. Specifically, it increases the concentration of sodium chloride relative to dimethylammonium chloride, which fundamentally alters the partition coefficient and enhances extraction efficiency while maintaining high purity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of dimethylammonium chloride (which reduces partition coefficient) into a beneficial situation by introducing sodium chloride. The sodium chloride competes with dimethylammonium chloride for ionic interactions, effectively neutralizing its negative impact and restoring high extraction efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Manufacturing precision

If silica gel chromatography is used to purify sucralose, then high purity sucralose can be obtained, but the process is ill-suited for large-volume commercial production

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepurity of sucraloseVSAvoidscalability for commercial production

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the problematic component (dimethylammonium chloride) from the system by adjusting its ratio relative to sodium chloride. This removal of the interfering substance enables the extraction process to achieve chromatography-like purity without the complexity and cost of actual chromatography, making it suitable for large-scale production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the extraction parameters by modifying the ionic composition of the aqueous phase. By increasing sodium chloride concentration and decreasing dimethylammonium chloride concentration, it achieves a partition coefficient that enables high-purity extraction in a simple, scalable process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If chlorinated sugar impurities are not removed from sucralose, then the purification process becomes simpler, but the sweetness and flavor-modifying properties of sucralose are adversely affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of purification processVSAvoidimpact on sweetness and flavor properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the extraction parameters by adjusting the ionic composition (sodium chloride to dimethylammonium chloride ratio) to achieve selective partitioning. This enables the process to remove chlorinated sugar impurities effectively while maintaining simplicity, as the optimized parameters naturally favor sucralose extraction into the organic phase while leaving impurities in the aqueous phase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach increases the extraction efficiency of sucralose into the organic phase, resulting in a higher purity of sucralose and reducing the adverse effects of impurities, thereby enhancing the sweetness and flavor properties of the final product.

Implementation Method 1

solvent extraction is one purification process typically employed for the removal of species less and more hydrophobic than sucralose itself

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvent extraction: Liquid-Liquid Extraction

Implementation Method 2

the partition coefficient of the sucralose or sucralose-6-acylate between the aqueous solution and the extraction solvent is relatively unfavorable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPartition coefficient:

Implementation Method 3

the effect may be ameliorated by increasing the ratio of NaCl to DMAHCl

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSalting out effect:

Data Source

PatentEP2260050B1Improved sucralose purification process

Publication Date: 2014.09.17 TATE & LYLE TECHNOLOGY LTD

Figure 1

AI summary

A process for the extraction of sucralose from an aqueous solution containing at least sucralose, other chlorinated saccharides, sodium chloride and dimethyl ammonium chloride into an organic solvent for sucralose by contacting said organic solvent with said solution to extract sucralose into the organic solvent. The ratio of sodium chloride to dimethylammonium chloride in the aqueous solution is increased prior to or during contact so as to increase the partition coefficient of sucralose into said organic solvent.