Ultrasonic Extraction of Plant Compounds Without Chemical Stabilizers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for extracting compounds from plant and fungal materials, such as vacuum circulation, often fail to completely rupture thick cell walls, leading to incomplete extraction efficiency and stability issues with extracted compounds, particularly in the health and wellness industry where chemical stabilizers are undesirable.
Innovation Solution
The use of high-frequency ultrasonic pre-treatment and post-treatment of plant or fungal material feedstocks, involving immersion in liquids like water or ethanol, and application of ultrasonic vibrations to enhance extraction efficiency and stability without chemical stabilizers, utilizing frequencies between 16 to 100 kHz and temperatures between 40°C to 150°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vacuum circulation extraction is used, then extraction process is simple, but extraction efficiency is insufficient due to incomplete cell wall rupture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies ultrasonic pre-treatment before the main extraction process to rupture cell walls in advance. This preliminary action prepares the plant material by breaking down cell structures, allowing subsequent extraction processes to be more effective without requiring overly complex equipment or multiple extraction stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes ultrasonic vibration at frequencies between 16-100 kHz to mechanically disrupt cell walls during pre-treatment. This mechanical vibration energy penetrates the plant material and causes cavitation and mechanical stress that ruptures cell structures, significantly improving extraction efficiency without adding complex extraction equipment.
2Stability of the object's composition
If chemical stabilizers are added to maintain extract stability, then shelf-life is extended, but product purity and natural composition are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical stabilization methods with mechanical and physical approaches. By using ultrasonic pre-treatment and controlled extraction parameters (temperature 40-150°C, pressure control), the process achieves stable extracts without requiring chemical stabilizers, thereby maintaining the natural composition and purity of the extracted compounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes extraction parameters including temperature (40-150°C), pressure (vacuum conditions), and ultrasonic frequency (16-100 kHz) to achieve stable extracts. By carefully controlling these physical parameters, the extraction process produces stable compounds that maintain their natural composition without chemical additives.
3Productivity
If ultrasonic pre-treatment is applied, then extraction efficiency increases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies ultrasonic treatment at optimized frequencies (16-100 kHz, preferably 26-30 kHz) and durations to achieve sufficient cell wall rupture without excessive energy input. The ultrasonic pre-treatment is applied partially - just enough to prepare the material for extraction - rather than using continuous high-energy ultrasonic treatment throughout the entire process, thus balancing effectiveness with energy efficiency.
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 significantly increases extraction efficiency and extends the shelf-life of extracted compounds by ensuring complete cell wall rupture and forming stable emulsions, as demonstrated by improved chromatography results and reduced polydispersity indices, without the need for chemical stabilizers.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting at least one of the immersed plant or fungal material and the liquid to ultrasonic vibrations
Implementation Method 2
the ultrasonic vibrations have a frequency of between about 16 to 100 kHz
Implementation Method 3
immersing the plant or fungal material feedstock in a liquid
Implementation Method 4
extracting one or more compounds from the plant or fungal material
Implementation Method 5
subjecting the extracted one or more compounds and at least one liquid to ultrasonic vibrations to create an emulsion
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for extracting one or more compounds from a plant or fungal material feedstock include immersing the plant or fungal material feedstock in a liquid, subjecting the immersed plant or fungal material and/or the liquid to ultrasonic vibrations, and subsequently extracting one or more compounds from the plant or fungal material. Also disclosed are methods for treating one or more compounds extracted from a plant or fungal material feedstock. Such methods include providing the extracted compounds and a liquid to an emulsification vessel, subjecting the extracted compounds and the liquid to ultrasonic vibrations using a circulating agitator to create an emulsion of the extracted compounds and the liquid. The methods for extracting one or more compounds from a plant or fungal material feedstock and the methods for treating one or more compounds extracted from a plant or fungal material feedstock may be used separately or in conjunction with each other.