Alkanediol Stabilization of Natural Polymer Cosmetic Compositions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Natural polymers used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products often have high microbial contamination, making it difficult to store and maintain stability, and the use of antimicrobial agents or sterilization is undesirable due to toxicity and cost concerns.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating 1,2-heptanediol, 2,3-heptanediol, or specific alkanediol mixtures into cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions to reduce microbial load and act as an antimicrobial replacer, thereby stabilizing the formulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If natural polymers are used in cosmetic compositions, then biocompatibility and biodegradability are improved, but microbial contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful microbial contamination from natural polymers through sterilization processes, while preserving the beneficial biocompatibility and biodegradability properties of the natural polymer base material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces antimicrobial agents as intermediary substances that protect the natural polymer compositions from microbial contamination without compromising the natural and biodegradable characteristics of the main polymer components
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sterilization is applied to reduce microbial load, then microbial contamination is reduced, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies sterilization and antimicrobial treatment as preliminary actions during the manufacturing process, preventing microbial contamination before it can affect product stability and safety, thereby avoiding costly recalls and quality issues later
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs cost-effective antimicrobial agents that can be easily incorporated into the formulation, providing ongoing protection against microbial contamination without requiring expensive repeated sterilization cycles
3Object-affected harmful factors
If heat treatment is used for sterilization, then microbial load is reduced, but ingredient degradation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the sterilization parameters by using lower temperature methods such as filtration, irradiation, or chemical sterilization instead of high-heat treatment, thereby achieving microbial reduction while preserving the stability and integrity of heat-sensitive cosmetic ingredients
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces thermal sterilization mechanisms with alternative non-thermal sterilization methods such as filtration, UV irradiation, or chemical antimicrobial agents, which achieve the same microbial reduction effect without causing thermal degradation of formulation ingredients
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cosmetic or pharmaceutical, preferably dermatological, composition or a homecare product comprising or consisting of a natural polymer and an effective amount of 1,2-heptanediol and/or 2,3-heptanediol or of a specific alkanediol or a mixture of two or more different specific alkanediols and said compositions for personal care, as a pharmaceutical, for animal care or for homecare. Additionally, the present invention relates to the use of 1,2-heptanediol and/or 2,3-heptanediol or of a specific alkanediol or a mixture of two or more different specific alkanediols in an effective amount for reducing antimicrobial load of a natural polymer and/or as an antimicrobial replacer. Finally, the present invention relates to a method for reducing antimicrobial load of a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition or homecare product comprising a natural polymer.