Type IV Collagen Extraction from Lens Capsules
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for extracting type IV collagen from animal tissues often result in contamination by other proteins and degradation or denaturation due to the use of enzymes, making it difficult to obtain high-purity collagen with intact functional domains.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the extraction of type IV collagen from lens capsules without the use of enzymes, utilizing a process that includes agitation in phosphate buffered saline, followed by treatment in an acidic solution, and salt precipitation to isolate and purify the collagen, ensuring minimal degradation and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If enzyme treatment is used to extract collagen, then extraction efficiency is improved, but collagen degradation and denaturation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces enzymatic treatment with a mechanical/physical extraction method involving homogenization and centrifugation. The collagen is extracted through mechanical disruption of tissue followed by differential centrifugation, eliminating the need for enzymes that cause degradation while maintaining extraction efficiency and collagen integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts collagen through a multi-step physical process: tissue homogenization, filtration, and differential centrifugation at specific speeds (first centrifugation at 1,000-10,000 g, second centrifugation at 10,000-100,000 g). This extraction method separates collagen from other tissues without enzymatic degradation, preserving collagen structure and function.
2Speed
If enzyme treatment is used to extract collagen, then extraction speed is improved, but protein contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the extraction process into distinct centrifugation steps with different speeds and durations. The first centrifugation removes cellular debris, while the second centrifugation at higher speed (10,000-100,000 g) separates collagen from remaining proteins and contaminants. This segmented approach enables rapid extraction while achieving high purity through physical separation rather than enzymatic digestion.
3Loss of time
If conventional extraction methods are used, then processing time is reduced, but collagen purity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs continuous centrifugation processes where the homogenized tissue is subjected to sequential centrifugation steps without interruption. The continuous application of centrifugal force at optimized speeds enables simultaneous extraction and purification, achieving high collagen purity (minimizing other proteins) while maintaining short processing times through efficient continuous separation rather than batch processing.
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 produces high-purity, undenatured type IV collagen with intact functional domains, achieving a molecular weight of 160 to 180 kDa, suitable for various applications in medicine, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
Implementation Method 1
agitating the precipitate obtained in step (1) in an aqueous acidic solution to recover a supernatant containing type IV collagen
Implementation Method 2
adding salt to the supernatant obtained in step (2) to allow type IV collagen to precipitate and recovering the resulting precipitate
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the invention is to provide type IV collagen without contamination by other proteins and without degradation or denaturation. The present invention provides a type IV collagen which is derived and extracted from lens capsules without the use of an enzyme and has a minimum molecular weight of 160 to 180 kDa measured by SDS-PAGE under reduced conditions.