Betalain Powder Stabilization via Hydrophobic Resin Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current betalain preparations face challenges with low betalain concentration, hygroscopicity, clumping, and instability, limiting their solubility and practical application in nutritional supplements.

Innovation Solution

A method involving hydrophobically modified resins to concentrate betalains, removing non-betalain components and achieving high betalain concentrations (at least 5 wt%) with improved solubility and stability, resulting in a free-flowing powder that maintains flowability and dissolves readily in water.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If betalains are prepared from beet juice or root macerates, then the preparation process is simple, but the betalain concentration remains below 1 wt%

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidbetalain concentration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies extraction by removing non-betalain components (sugars, proteins, pigments) from betalain-containing extracts through filtration and centrifugation, thereby concentrating the betalains while maintaining process simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters by lyophilizing (freeze-drying) the purified betalain extract to convert it from liquid to solid powder form, achieving high concentration (at least 5 wt% betalains) while preserving the simple overall process flow

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If betalain concentration is increased by extraction or other means, then betalain content improves, but hygroscopicity and clumping increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebetalain concentrationVSAvoidhygroscopicity and clumping
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes hygroscopic non-betalain components (sugars, proteins, pigments) through filtration and centrifugation before lyophilization, thereby concentrating betalains while eliminating the substances that cause hygroscopicity and clumping

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state from liquid extract to solid powder through lyophilization, which removes water and prevents hygroscopicity, while maintaining high betalain concentration and free-flowing properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If non-betalain components are present in betalain preparations, then the preparation is easier to produce, but solubility in aqueous media decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction easeVSAvoidsolubility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes non-betalain components that interfere with solubility through filtration and centrifugation, achieving complete solubility in aqueous media while maintaining an easily produced process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the product into a lyophilized powder form with at least 5 wt% betalains, which dissolves completely in water, thereby improving solubility reliability while keeping the production process simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method achieves high betalain concentrations with enhanced stability and solubility, allowing for effective formulation of nutritional supplements that maintain flowability and solubility over extended periods, effectively addressing the limitations of existing preparations.

Implementation Method 1

contacting the liquid extract with a hydrophobically modified resin to remove non-betalain components from the liquid extract

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

contacting the liquid extract with a hydrophobically modified resin to remove non-betalain components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic interaction: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP2114424B1Solid betalain compositions and methods
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 VDF FUTURECEUTICALS INC
  • EP2114424B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP2114424B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2C

AI summary

Solid, free-flowing, and substantially completely dissolvable preparations with high betalain content are presented. Most typically, the betalain profile of the preparations is near natural and includes betalains in an amount of between 10-40 wt%. As the preparations of the inventive subject matter maintain chemical stability and flowability over extended periods of time, it should be noted that the betalain preparations are now amenable to compounding in small and measured quantities. Furthermore, new biological activities of betalains are shown, and especially include significant induction of SIRT and reduction of serum triglyceride.