Biodegradable Cross-linked Microcapsules for Volatile Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microcapsules fail to provide effective protection and retention of volatile compounds due to rapid diffusion through their shells, leading to short-lived olfactory properties in formulated products.
Innovation Solution
Development of solid cross-linked microcapsules with a biodegradable shell and core, containing a volatile ingredient or preparation, which reduces volatility and enhances stability and controlled release of the encapsulated compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If microcapsules are made with non-crosslinked shell materials (hydrogel or thermoplastic polymer), then biodegradability is achieved, but diffusion of volatile compounds through the shell is rapid, limiting protection performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining biodegradable polymer chains with crosslinking agents to create a hybrid shell structure. The shell consists of biodegradable polymer matrices (such as polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, or chitosan) crosslinked with agents like glutaraldehyde, epichlorohydrin, or genipin. This composite approach maintains the biodegradability of the polymer while the crosslinks create a denser network that reduces volatile compound diffusion, thus simultaneously achieving protection and biodegradability.
2Loss of substance
If microcapsules use crosslinked shell materials to reduce diffusion and improve retention, then protection and retention properties are enhanced, but biodegradability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure and density of crosslinks within the biodegradable polymer matrix. By controlling crosslinking degree, type, and density, the patent optimizes the balance between retention and biodegradability. For example, using genipin crosslinking instead of glutaraldehyde provides slower degradation rates and better retention, while still maintaining biodegradability. The crosslinking parameters can be adjusted to achieve desired release profiles and environmental breakdown rates.
3Productivity
If conventional capsule manufacturing methods are used, then production is achieved, but diffusion time of volatile compounds through the capsule shell is very short, resulting in rapid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating crosslinking steps during the capsule formation process itself, rather than as a separate post-treatment. The crosslinking occurs in-situ within the capsule shell during or immediately after encapsulation, allowing the shell to develop enhanced protective properties before the volatile compounds are exposed to environmental conditions. This preliminary crosslinking prevents rapid diffusion from the outset, extending the lifetime of olfactory properties while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through integrated process design.
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 microcapsules effectively reduce the volatility of volatile ingredients, provide improved protection and stability, control the release rate over an extended period, and are biodegradable, reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
Because of their volatile nature, these compounds evaporate rapidly from the formulated product that contains them
Implementation Method 2
the diffusion time of volatile compounds through the capsule-forming materials made by most of these methods remains very short, resulting in very rapid leakage of the capsules
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a biodegradable solid cross-linked microcapsule encapsulating at least one volatile ingredient or a preparation comprising a volatile ingredient, said microcapsule having a mean diameter from 0.5 µm to 100 µm, said microcapsule comprising: - a core consisting of a composition C1 comprising at least one volatile ingredient or a preparation comprising a volatile ingredient, and from 1% to 20% by weight of a viscosifying agent relative to the total weight of said composition, and - a solid cross-linked polymer envelope at least partially, preferably totally, encapsulating the core at its periphery, said solid cross-linked polymer envelope being made of a cross-linked polymer, said polymer being a polymer obtained by polymerizing one or several oligomer(s) or monomer(s), and wherein the average thickness of said solid cross-linked polymer envelope is from 5% to 30% of the average diameter of said solid cross-linked microcapsule.