Oral Care Composition Micro-Robustness via Anethole Surfactant
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the post addition system of manufacturing oral care compositions, partially-complete compositions are susceptible to microbial contamination due to incomplete ingredients, leading to potential microbial levels exceeding regulatory thresholds, necessitating enhanced micro-robustness.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a combination of anethole and an anionic surfactant, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, into the composition to increase its resistance to microbial attack, allowing for longer storage periods without compromising compliance with microbial standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a post addition system is used to manufacture oral care compositions, then productivity and manufacturing flexibility are improved, but the unfinished composition becomes more susceptible to microbial attack
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adding the antimicrobial composition (containing anethole and anionic surfactant) to the unfinished oral care composition during the post addition manufacturing process. This preliminary protective measure ensures that the composition maintains microbial resistance throughout the storage period before final ingredients are added, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing flexibility and microbial safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the unfinished composition by incorporating specific concentrations of anethole (0.01-0.5 weight%) and anionic surfactant (0.05-1 weight%). This parameter modification transforms the composition's microbial susceptibility into resistance, enabling the post addition system to operate safely while maintaining product protection
2Adaptability or versatility
If the unfinished composition is stored for extended periods, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but microbial contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antimicrobial composition is added in advance to the unfinished oral care composition before storage. This preliminary protective action allows the composition to be stored for extended periods (up to 48 hours or more) without microbial contamination, enabling greater manufacturing flexibility and storage adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The anethole and anionic surfactant combination acts as an intermediary protective agent between the unfinished composition and microbial contaminants. This intermediary substance prevents harmful microbial interactions during extended storage, reconciling storage flexibility with contamination prevention
3Reliability
If additional ingredients are added to enhance microbial resistance, then micro-robustness is improved, but the complexity of the composition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two substances (anethole and anionic surfactant) into a single antimicrobial composition that is then added to the oral care product. This combining approach enhances microbial resistance while minimizing complexity, as both ingredients serve dual purposes: anethole provides antimicrobial activity and the anionic surfactant enhances its efficacy and provides additional oral care benefits
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 anethole and anionic surfactant combination significantly enhances the micro-robustness of both unfinished and finished products, enabling storage for up to 48 hours while maintaining compliance with microbial standards, compared to the 24-hour limit of compositions lacking these ingredients.
Implementation Method 1
the inclusion of a combination of anethole and an anionic surfactant (such as sodium lauryl sulfate) in a composition increases its micro-robustness (i.e. resistance to microbial attack)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides the use of composition a as an antimicrobial agent, wherein the composition comprises anethole, an anionic surfactant, and an orally acceptable vehicle, wherein the composition is free from additional flavor ingredients; and a method of increasing the resistance of a composition to microbial attack, the method comprising formulating the composition so as to comprise anethole, an anionic surfactant, and an orally acceptable vehicle, wherein the composition is free from additional flavor ingredients. The present invention also provides a method of making an oral care composition.