Tomato Waste Cutin Extraction via Alkaline Hydrolysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cutin extraction from tomato processing waste are hazardous, expensive, and inefficient, with low yields and high environmental impact due to the use of organic solvents and reagents, and often result in low-quality bio-resins.
Innovation Solution
A process involving alkaline soaking, heat treatment, acidification, and centrifugation to extract cutin from tomato waste, using organic acids instead of HCl, reducing environmental risks and improving yield and quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional extraction methods using organic solvents (CHCl3, MeOH) are employed, then cutin can be extracted from tomato waste, but the process becomes hazardous, expensive, and environmentally damaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extraction system by replacing organic solvents with an alkaline aqueous solution (pH 12-14). This parameter change transforms the extraction mechanism from solvent-based dissolution to碱-catalyzed hydrolysis, eliminating toxic organic solvents while maintaining effective cutin extraction and depolymerization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the chemical extraction mechanism (using organic solvents) with an alkaline hydrolysis mechanism. The alkaline solution chemically breaks down the cutin polymer structure through ester bond cleavage, replacing the physical dissolution process used in conventional methods with organic solvents
2Quantity of substance
If acid hydrolysis using HCl is used to extract cutin, then cutin can be obtained, but the process becomes expensive and generates harmful waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by using alkaline conditions instead of acidic conditions for cutin depolymerization. This inversion achieves the same goal of breaking down cutin into monomers but avoids the generation of harmful acid waste and the need for expensive acid reagents
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the typically harmful alkaline conditions into a beneficial extraction and depolymerization mechanism. The strong base not only breaks down cutin effectively but also creates a system where the byproducts are benign (salts and water) rather than harmful, turning a potentially dangerous chemical environment into an environmentally friendly process
3Quantity of substance
If multiple extraction steps are performed to increase yield, then cutin extraction efficiency improves, but processing time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the extraction and depolymerization steps into a single integrated process. The alkaline solution simultaneously extracts cutin from the plant matrix and depolymerizes it into monomers, eliminating the need for separate extraction and hydrolysis steps required in conventional methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes continuous useful action by maintaining alkaline conditions throughout the entire process. The same alkaline solution that extracts the cutin continues to depolymerize it, ensuring that the chemical action is continuously productive without interruption or additional steps
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 achieves a high-purity cutin extract suitable for bio-resins, reducing processing time and costs, and enables the production of environmentally friendly multilayer articles and food supplements.
Implementation Method 1
The cuticular membrane is isolated by means of enzymatic treatment to degrade the polysaccharides
Implementation Method 2
The alkaline mixture is then subjected to a heat treatment, at a temperature >100°C and ≤130°C, for a period of time ≥10 minutes
Implementation Method 3
acidification, and centrifugation to extract cutin from tomato waste
Data Source
AI summary
Process for the extraction of cutin from tomato waste comprising the steps of: A. Preparing waste or by-products obtained from tomato processing; B. Soaking the tomato waste in an alkaline solution to obtain an alkaline mixture having a pH > 10, the alkaline mixture comprising a liquid phase and a dispersed solid residue; C. Subjecting the alkaline mixture to heat treatment, at a temperature > 100°C and ≤ 130°C, for a period of time ≥ 10 minutes and < 4 hours; D. Isolating the liquid phase of the heat-treated alkaline mixture from the solid residue, the liquid phase being an alkaline cutin solution, the solid residue being an exhausted tomato peel waste free of cutin; E. Acidifying the alkaline cutin solution by adding an organic acid, obtaining an acidified cutin suspension having a pH < 5, the acidified cutin suspension comprising a liquid phase and a precipitate; F. Isolating the precipitate of the acidified suspension of cutin from the liquid phase by means of centrifugation using an horizontal decanter and washing the precipitate with water, the precipitate obtained being a cutin extract having a 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid content between 60% and 80% by weight of the total weight of the extract (w/w). Further object of the present invention is an exhausted tomato peels waste free of cutin comprising water, vegetable fibres and carotenoids. Additional object of the present invention is the bio-resin comprising at least a cutin extract and an organic solvent. Further object of the present invention is a multilayer article comprising: a first layer, comprising or consisting of paper, plastic, bioplastic, metals, metal alloys, wood; a second layer, adjacent to the first layer, comprising or consisting of the bio-resin according to the present invention.