Ascorbic Acid / Vitamin C Technology

 
Vitamin C with its well known health preserving qualities does not require any introduction. Besides its traditional use in the pharmaceutical and food sector especially its application in animal feed is fast growing. New fields of application in other sectors are still continuously identified.
 

  THE PROCESS

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Chemical Process Route

ENCO ENGINEERING's technology for ascorbic acid is based on the classical Reichstein synthesis. The conventional process has however been further developed using newest technologies, particularly to reduce consumption figures and to improve environmental conditions. This was partly done in cooperation with reputed companies specialized in their particular fields.

Please contact us for details on our improved chemical process.

Biotechnological Process Route

It is generally expected that biotechnological processes will be the future for the production of ascorbic acid. All presently known biotechnological processes are leading to 2-keto-L-gulonic acid (KGA) as an intermediate, with either glucose or sorbitol as a starting material.

The downstream process from KGA to ascorbic acid is then following a chemical route, similar to the Reichstein process. We have further developed our process in this respect. It is especially suitable to use also KGA with higher impurity content, as it is frequently obtained from biological processes. Samples from different sources have been tested and the process has been adapted and optimized accordingly. A corresponding new patent has recently been filed.

 

PROCESS HIGHLIGHTS

COMBINED BIOLOGICAL / CHEMICAL PROCESS ROUTE

(Starting Material: 2-Keto-L-gulonic Acid)

Depending on the source of the ketogulonic acid, either from a biological or a chemical process, the downstream process will slightly be modified. It is however following the same principal route.

Esterification / Lactonization

ENCO ENGINEERING's  process is partly covered by patents. It gives the following advantages:

  • Higher overall yields.
  • Short reaction time, resulting in reduction of required reactor volume, less degradation of the product by side-reactions and reduction of energy costs.
  • The chosen alkaline lactonization process is inaggressive and decomposition of product is minimized.
  • Impurities emanating from the raw materials can easily be separated.
  • Continuous or batch process, depending on plant capacity.

Isolation / Purification

  • The whole step including crystallization is run in a continuous process.
  • The total residence time of the ascorbic acid product in aqueous solution, where it is susceptible to decomposition, can be kept extremely short.
  • The pre-purification by ion-exchange and the mild conditions during isolation result in a product of high purity and thermostability.The continuous crystallization system produces a homogenous product.
  • There is only one product output point, with a standard quality. Ascorbic acid obtained out of mother liquors is completely recycled. A smooth, easy controlled production organisation results.

PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

The ascorbic acid product is fulfilling the requirements of the newest British and U.S. Pharmacopeia.

For more information send us an e-mail !

ENCO Engineering GmbH enco@enco.ch

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