Aspartic and Fumaric Acid Oral Care Composition for Lysine Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a composition that stimulates beneficial oral bacteria to produce lysine to prevent periodontitis and other oral health issues such as gingivitis, peri-implantitis, and gingival deterioration.

Innovation Solution

An oral care toothpaste composition comprising particulate abrasive, aspartic acid or its salt, and fumaric acid or its salt, along with other ingredients like anti-microbial agents and remineralizing agents, to stimulate the production of lysine by beneficial oral bacteria.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional oral care compositions are used, then oral hygiene is maintained, but beneficial oral bacteria cannot be stimulated to produce lysine

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoral health preventionVSAvoidlysine production by oral bacteria
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces aspartic acid and fumaric acid as intermediary substances that mediate between the oral care composition and beneficial oral bacteria. These intermediaries serve as precursors that the bacteria convert into lysine, thereby bridging the gap between conventional oral care and lysine production stimulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the oral care composition by incorporating specific precursor substances (aspartic acid and fumaric acid) that alter the metabolic pathway of oral bacteria, enabling them to produce lysine. This parameter change transforms the composition from merely cleaning to actively promoting beneficial bacterial metabolism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If oral bacteria are stimulated to produce lysine, then periodontitis and gingivitis can be prevented, but the composition complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of periodontitis and gingivitisVSAvoidcomposition formulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the oral care composition multi-functional by combining cleaning agents with lysine precursor substances. The composition simultaneously performs mechanical cleaning and biochemical stimulation of beneficial bacteria, eliminating the need for separate products and reducing overall system complexity despite the enhanced functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively enhances lysine production by beneficial oral bacteria, thereby preventing periodontitis, gingivitis, and other oral health issues.

Implementation Method 1

aspartic acid or salt thereof and fumaric acid or salt thereof to stimulate the production of lysine by beneficial oral bacteria

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMetabolic pathway: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentEP4465955B1Oral care composition
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 UNILEVER IP HLDG BV

AI summary

An oral care composition comprising: i) aspartic acid or salt thereof; and ii) fumaric acid or salt thereof.