Allulose Granules for Direct Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods cannot produce tablets with high amounts of allulose due to its lack of compressibility and flow properties, limiting its use as both a sweetener and direct compression excipient.

Innovation Solution

Allulose is converted into granules through a wet granulation process using water as the granulation liquid, allowing it to act as a direct compression excipient and enabling the production of tablets with high allulose content without the need for additional excipients, achieving compressibility and hardness greater than 50 N.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If allulose is used as a direct compression excipient, then tablets can comprise high amounts of allulose (greater than 30% by weight), but allulose naturally lacks compressibility and flow properties required for direct compression

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveallulose content in tabletsVSAvoidcompressibility and flow properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of allulose through controlled crystallization from aqueous solution at specific temperatures (50-100°C) to produce granules with enhanced compressibility and flow properties, enabling direct compression while maintaining high allulose content

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite granular structure where allulose crystals are formed in a specific matrix through controlled crystallization, combining the sweetness and health benefits of allulose with improved mechanical properties for tabletting

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If natural crystallization is used to produce allulose, then allulose can be obtained, but it lacks the necessary flow, cohesion or lubricating properties for direct compression

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow and lubricating propertiesVSAvoiddirect compression capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the crystallization parameters including temperature (50-100°C), solvent composition (aqueous solution), and cooling rate to produce granules with improved flow, cohesion and lubricating properties that enable direct compression

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary crystallization and granulation steps before compression to pre-establish the necessary flow and cohesive properties, ensuring successful direct compression in a single step

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 process allows for the production of tablets with up to 99% allulose by weight, providing excellent taste and texture with no sticking or gritty sensation, and enabling significant amounts of allulose to be used in tablets without requiring other excipients, overcoming previous limitations in tablet production.

Implementation Method 1

granulating powdery D-allulose, by applying the granulation liquid obtained in step (a) onto moving powdery D-allulose

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The allulose developed by the inventors is in the form of granules, is compressible, and allows the preparation of tablets having hardness greater than 50 N

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGranulation:

Implementation Method 3

Direct compression consists in strongly compressing a powder into a die using a punch, so as to impart thereto the form of a tablet. The high pressure applied allows aggregation of the molecules of the powder which produces a solid tablet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3171709B1Sugar compositions for tableting by direct compression
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 ROQUETTE FRERES SA

AI summary

The present invention relates to directly compressible compositions comprising more than 30 % by weight of allulose, and to tablets obtainable thereof.