Bio-Based Microcapsule Shells for Stable Controlled Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing encapsulated compositions struggle to balance robustness, biodegradability, and benefit-agent release properties while using sustainable and biodegradable materials, failing to meet 'clean label' requirements and consumer safety expectations.
Innovation Solution
The encapsulated composition comprises a core-shell microcapsule with a shell formed by a combination of a bio-based polymeric surfactant, aminosilane, a bio-based and biodegradable hydrocolloid, and a linker derived from a bio-based epoxy resin, enhancing stability and controlled release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional shell materials are used to ensure robustness and stability, then microcapsule stability is improved, but biodegradability and sustainability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite shell system combining multiple bio-based polymers (pectin, hydroxyethyl cellulose, gelatin) with crosslinking agents and surfactants. This composite approach allows the shell to achieve both robustness through intermolecular crosslinking and biodegradability through natural polymer composition, resolving the contradiction between stability and environmental compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of bio-based polymers through controlled crosslinking (changing molecular structure), adjustment of polymer ratios, and modification of functional groups. These parameter changes enable the shell to achieve optimal balance between mechanical stability and biodegradation rate, allowing both robustness and sustainability to coexist.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If bio-based and biodegradable materials are used to meet clean label requirements, then sustainability is improved, but robustness and leak resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary substances including crosslinking agents (isocyanates, polyfunctional isocyanates) and surfactants that mediate between the bio-based polymers. These intermediaries facilitate intermolecular crosslinking and stabilize the shell structure, preventing leakage while maintaining the biodegradable nature of the base polymers.
Solution Approach 2:
By creating a multi-component composite system combining pectin, hydroxyethyl cellulose, gelatin, crosslinking agents, and surfactants, the patent achieves synergistic effects where the combination provides both robustness (through crosslinking network) and biodegradability (through natural polymer composition), resolving the contradiction between sustainability and structural integrity.
3Reliability
If shell materials are made more impervious to prevent leakage, then microcapsule stability is improved, but benefit agent release control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic shell system where the crosslinked network can undergo structural changes in response to environmental stimuli such as pH, temperature, or enzyme action. This dynamic behavior allows the shell to maintain imperviousness during storage (preventing leakage) while enabling controlled release of the benefit agent under specific conditions, resolving the contradiction between stability and release control.
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 achieves improved biodegradability, robustness, and effective benefit-agent release, meeting 'clean label' standards and consumer safety expectations.
Implementation Method 1
a polymeric stabilizer that is formed by combination of a bio-based polymeric surfactant with at least one aminosilane
Implementation Method 2
a linker derived from a bio-based and biodegradable epoxy resin
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an encapsulated composition comprising at least one core-shell microcapsule, wherein the at least one core-shell microcapsule comprises a core comprising at least one benefit agent and a shell surrounding the core, wherein the shell comprises:a) a polymeric stabilizer that is formed by combination of a bio-based polymeric surfactant with at least one aminosilane;b) a bio-based and biodegradable hydrocollolid; andc) a linker derived from a bio-based and biodegradable epoxy resin.The invention also provides a method for preparing the encapsulated composition, a consumer product comprising the encapsulated composition and the use of the encapsulated composition to improve the perception or enhance the performance of the benefit agent in a consumer product.