Aqueous Composition Microbial Inhibition via Natural Polyols
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aqueous-based compositions used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications often require antimicrobial preservatives to inhibit microbial growth, but these can contain synthetic additives linked to health concerns, and using high levels of natural polymers without preservatives can promote microbial contamination.
Innovation Solution
Formulating aqueous-based compositions with high levels of natural polymers and specific concentrations of natural polyols, such as glycerin and sorbitol, to maintain antimicrobial effectiveness without the need for artificial preservatives, thereby inhibiting microbial growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If high levels of natural polymers are added to adjust viscosity, then the composition provides desired rheological properties, but microbial contamination is promoted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of natural polymers (which promote microbial growth by providing nutrients) into a beneficial outcome by combining them with natural polyols. The polyols create an osmotic environment that inhibits microbial growth despite the presence of polymer substrates, thus converting the potential harm into a safe formulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite approach by combining natural polymers (for viscosity) with natural polyols (for antimicrobial protection) to create a formulation that achieves both desired rheological properties and microbial safety without synthetic preservatives.
2Reliability
If artificial preservatives are used to inhibit microbial growth, then antimicrobial effectiveness is maintained, but synthetic additives linked to health concerns are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates synthetic preservatives from the formulation, replacing them with natural polyols (glycerin, sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol) that provide antimicrobial protection through osmotic pressure, thus removing harmful synthetic additives while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach to antimicrobial protection by using natural polyols at specific concentrations (e.g., glycerin 10-70% w/v, sorbitol 5-50% w/v) to create an osmotic environment that inhibits microbial growth, replacing the conventional approach of using synthetic chemical preservatives.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If aqueous-based compositions are formulated without preservatives, then synthetic additives are reduced, but microbial growth is promoted by water and other components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the formulation to protect itself from microbial contamination using natural polyols that are already present as sweeteners or viscosity modifiers. The polyols serve dual functions: providing desired sensory properties and creating an osmotic environment that inhibits microbial growth, eliminating the need for separate preservative systems.
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 compositions effectively inhibit microbial growth while being free of synthetic additives, ensuring safety and efficacy in applications like pediatric syrups, maintaining antimicrobial effectiveness across a broad pH range and high polymer concentrations.
Implementation Method 1
natural polyols at specific concentrations were able to overcome this quality of natural polymers and inhibit microbial growth
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an aqueous-based composition containing one or more natural polymers and two or more natural polyols, where the aqueous-based composition is formulated to inhibit microbial growth without utilizing any added artificial preservatives.