Polymer capable of extracting aromatic alcohols from honey

New and innovative aspects

The polymeric material object of the invention is capable of interacting with polyphenols (at least two -OH groups in contiguous positions) by reactions of condensation.
The extraction of these alcohols is of great relevance, since they are present in many foods and, although they are very beneficial for health, they pose a great problem when it comes to determining certain parameters of food quality, such as the activity of the enzymes catalase and glucose oxidase (related to antioxidant capacity).
One of the innovative aspects of this method, unlike several of the previously used procedures, is that the copolymer only interacts with the polyphenols and allows their extraction quickly and efficiently. By removing these compounds from the sample, enzyme activity determination can be performed without such interferents. This determination, at present, is not usually made due to its complexity.

Main advantages of its use

The main advantages offered by the method described by researchers from the University of Burgos allows the removal of polyphenols in 90 minutes, compared to 24 hours of the previous method. In addition, the volume of reagents to dilute the sample goes from 6 litters (current honey dialysis process) to 12.5 millilitres, representing a reduction of more than 99%.
The material described has a receptor capable of interacting with catechol derivatives (1,2-dihydroxybenzene) and a specific matrix designed to eliminate or reduce interactions with other honey components.

Specifications

The copolymer is made up of:
1) A receptor based on phenylboronic acid for interaction with structures derived from 1,2-dihydroxybenzene.
2) A matrix specifically designed to eliminate or minimize interaction with other structures with two -OH groups on adjacent carbons, such as fructose and glucose.
The procedure for the extraction of aromatic polyphenols is based on:
1) Dilution of the sample with phosphate buffer pH 7 (reducing more than 99% of its volume compared to the procedure currently used).
2) After 90 minutes, the material is removed and the enzyme activity can be measured, thus reducing the extraction time by more than 93% (compared to the current honey dialysis process).

Applications

Determination of the enzymatic activity of catalase and glucose oxidase in honey samples. The developed copolymer can be applied in a wide variety of industrial processes related to food

Intellectual property status

Protected by a patent P202230376

Current development status

Research or Experimental

Desired business relationship

Trade Agreement, License Agreement, Technical cooperation: further development, Technical Cooperation: testing of new applications; Technical Cooperation: adaptation to specific needs.