Microencapsulated Beta-Alanine Sustained Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microencapsulated beta-alanine preparations face challenges in balancing encapsulation efficiency and release performance, leading to issues such as easy moisture absorption, bad smell, and tingling sensations due to rapid blood concentration increases.

Innovation Solution

A microencapsulated beta-alanine preparation using beta-alanine as the core material, combined with a mixture of a wall material and additives like fatty acid-based saturated or unsaturated fatty glycerides and phospholipids, optimized in terms of dosage and ratio to enhance encapsulation and controlled release, reducing adverse reactions and improving compliance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If beta-alanine is administered to increase muscle carnosine concentration, then muscle endurance and buffering capacity are improved, but paresthetic side effects (burning, pricking, tingling sensations) occur due to rapid blood concentration increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemuscle endurance enhancementVSAvoidparesthetic side effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the rapid release of beta-alanine into controlled, sustained release through microencapsulation. The microcapsule structure divides the core material into isolated units with controlled permeability, allowing gradual release into the bloodstream rather than rapid absorption, thereby maintaining therapeutic effects while reducing paresthetic side effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a microcapsule wall material as an intermediary between the core beta-alanine and the external environment. This wall material acts as a mediator that controls the release rate, allowing sustained delivery of beta-alanine to muscles while preventing rapid blood concentration spikes that cause tingling sensations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If microencapsulation is used to reduce side effects, then compliance is improved, but encapsulation efficiency and release performance become difficult to balance

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecomplianceVSAvoidencapsulation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes multiple parameters of the microencapsulation system including wall material composition ratios, core material to wall material ratios, and processing conditions. By systematically adjusting these parameters, the invention achieves both high encapsulation efficiency (≥90%) and controlled release performance, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and compliance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite wall materials combining multiple polymers with different properties (e.g., hydrophobic and hydrophilic components). This composite structure allows simultaneous achievement of strong encapsulation (preventing moisture absorption and leakage) and controlled release (maintaining sustained release kinetics), thereby improving both encapsulation efficiency and compliance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Duration of action of moving object

If sustained-release materials are used to control beta-alanine release, then release rate is reduced, but encapsulation strengthening and release promotion become contradictory optimization goals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelease durationVSAvoidrelease behavior control
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a dynamic release system where the microcapsule wall material properties and structure are designed to adapt to different physiological conditions. The release rate is dynamically controlled through factors such as pH-responsive mechanisms, enzymatic degradation, or structural changes in response to environmental conditions, allowing both extended duration and precise release behavior control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes porous wall materials with controlled pore size and distribution. The porosity is optimized to allow gradual diffusion of beta-alanine over extended periods while maintaining structural integrity for strong encapsulation. The pore structure enables sustained release duration while the controlled porosity ensures precise release behavior

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Data Source

PatentEP3398591B1Microencapsulation of beta-alanine
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 INNOBIO CORP LTD

AI summary

Microencapsulation of β-alanine uses β-alanine as a core material and a mixture of a wall material and an additive as a release material. The additive comprises: a fatty acid-based saturated or unsaturated fatty acid glyceride containing 12-22 carbon atoms and a phospholipid. The fatty acid glyceride is a mono-fatty acid glyceride or a di-fatty acid glyceride, or a mixture formed by mixing the mono-fatty acid glyceride and the di-fatty acid glyceride at arbitrary proportions. The microencapsulation technique solves problems occurring with the use of β-alanine as a raw material, such as high moisture absorption tendency thereof, unpleasant smell and stinging accompanying administration of the same. The invention selects and combines the wall material and the additive to attain a balance between embedment and release with respect to a microencapsulated β-alanine product, and effectively optimizes release kinetics of the product, thereby enabling a stable release of the product, and realizing effective embedment and uniform release. Therefore, the microencapsulated β-alanine is applicable to the preparation of food, drugs, health-enhancing products and functional food.