Anhydrous Krill Oil Composition for Nutritional Supplement Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
The absorption of fat-soluble and certain water-soluble food components by the human intestine is limited due to susceptibility to disruption, with fat digestion requiring specific conditions and enzymes, and water-soluble components like iron being poorly absorbed in the small intestine, leading to suboptimal absorption.
Innovation Solution
A substantially water-free composition comprising ultracentrifuged krill oil, silica as an emulsifying agent, and active ingredients, which forms liposomes that enhance absorption by attaching to the intestinal mucosa, allowing for efficient absorption of fat-soluble and water-soluble substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If micellar nanoparticles are used to improve absorption, then absorption efficiency is improved, but water activity increases to 0.78-0.84 causing capsule material instability and requiring aqueous emulsion formulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the water activity parameter from 0.78-0.84 to 0.2-0.5 by removing free water through ultracentrifugation and using anhydrous krill oil as the carrier medium. This parameter change enables capsule formulation while maintaining absorption efficiency through the liposome-forming capability of phospholipids in the anhydrous system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses phospholipids from krill oil as an intermediary substance that forms liposomes to carry active ingredients. These liposomes serve as the functional equivalent of micellar nanoparticles but with lower water activity, resolving the contradiction between absorption efficiency and capsule stability.
2Reliability
If conventional fat digestion processes are used, then natural metabolism is maintained, but absorption is limited due to requiring entire intestine length and multiple enzymes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fat digestion process by using pre-formed liposomes containing phospholipids and triglycerides that can be absorbed as discrete units rather than requiring complete enzymatic breakdown throughout the entire intestine. This segmentation increases absorption rate while maintaining physiological relevance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assembling liposomes with phospholipids and triglycerides in the krill oil before ingestion. This preliminary structure formation eliminates the need for extensive enzymatic processing in the intestine, thereby increasing absorption rate while maintaining natural metabolic pathways.
3Productivity
If water-soluble active ingredients are added to aqueous emulsion, then bioavailability is improved, but microbial growth is supported due to high water activity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the water activity parameter from high (aqueous emulsion) to low (0.2-0.5) by using anhydrous krill oil as the carrier. Water-soluble active ingredients are incorporated into the liposome structure, which allows them to maintain bioavailability while the anhydrous environment prevents microbial growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses phospholipid-based liposomes as an intermediary carrier that can accommodate water-soluble active ingredients while maintaining a low water activity environment. This intermediary structure enables bioavailability enhancement without supporting microbial growth.
4Shape
If high shear forces are used to create micellar nanoparticles, then particle size is reduced to 750-1250 nm, but subsequent processing requires complex multi-step procedures including ultracentrifugation and high-pressure homogenization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes the natural liposome-forming capability of phospholipids in krill oil, eliminating the need for complex processing steps to create nanoparticle structures. The phospholipids naturally form liposomes that can be directly used as the delivery system, simplifying the overall process while achieving the desired particle size and absorption characteristics.
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 composition enables effective and long-term absorption of active ingredients with reduced water activity, preventing microbial growth and allowing for stable encapsulation in gelatin capsules, improving bioavailability and reducing side effects.
Implementation Method 1
krill oil pretreated by ultracentrifugation, the krill oil being pretreated by ultracentrifugation at 200,000 to 250,000 g
Implementation Method 2
silica as an emulsifying agent
Implementation Method 3
forms liposomes that enhance absorption by attaching to the intestinal mucosa
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a substantially anhydrous composition comprising krill oil pretreated by ultracentrifugation, optionally silica as an emulsifying agent, at least one water-soluble active ingredient and/or at least one fat-soluble active ingredient, and at least one antioxidant substance. The invention also relates to a method for its preparation.