Biopolymer Blend Emulsion Stabilizers for Personal Care

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing emulsion stabilizers in personal care products often cause irritation, toxicity, and lack long-term stability, and are sensitive to salts, which limits ingredient choices and tactile appeal in skin and hair formulations.

Innovation Solution

A biopolymer blend of hydrophobically modified cellulose ethers and cross-linked, modified starches provides long-term stability and desirable tactile qualities, while being insensitive to salts, thus enhancing the formulation's stability and user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If small molecule emulsifiers are used, then emulsion stability is improved, but irritation and toxicity occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsion stabilityVSAvoidirritation and toxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical nature of the emulsifier from small molecules to biopolymers (cellulose ethers and starches), fundamentally altering the molecular size, structure, and properties to eliminate irritation and toxicity while maintaining emulsion stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite biopolymer systems combining cellulose ethers and starches with specific modifications (hydrophobic, ionic, cross-linked) to create a multi-functional emulsifier system that provides stability without harmful effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If starch concentration is increased above 3% to prevent retrogradation, then tactile qualities are improved, but formulation flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetactile qualitiesVSAvoidformulation flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies starch properties through cross-linking, chemical modification, and hydrophobic/ionic additions, changing its physical and chemical parameters to maintain stability and tactile qualities at lower concentrations, thereby restoring formulation flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies specific local modifications to starch molecules (cross-linking at specific sites, hydrophobic group attachment) to enhance overall performance without requiring high bulk concentrations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If cellulose ethers are used as emulsifiers, then emulsion stability is improved, but undesirable tactile qualities occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsion stabilityVSAvoidtactile qualities

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates composite systems where cellulose ethers are combined with modified starches, allowing the cellulose to provide emulsion stability while the starch component contributes desirable tactile qualities, achieving both functions simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Adaptability or versatility

If emulsion stabilizers are made salt-insensitive, then ingredient choice is improved, but emulsion stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveingredient choiceVSAvoidemulsion stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the charge characteristics of the biopolymer emulsifiers through ionic modifications, adjusting their electrostatic properties to make them insensitive to salt presence while maintaining their emulsion stabilizing function

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 biopolymer blend achieves long-term emulsion stability, maintains tactile appeal, and allows for flexible ingredient selection, ensuring stability and safety in personal care products.

Implementation Method 1

emulsion stabilizers comprising biopolymer blends of one or more cellulose ethers and one or more cross-linked, modified starches

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEmulsion stabilization: Emulsion

Implementation Method 2

wherein one or more of the cellulose ether and the cross-linked, modified starch is hydrophobically modified

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic interaction: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP3277258B1Biopolymer blends as emulsion stabilizers

Publication Date: 2019.11.27 AKZO NOBEL CHEMICALS INTERNATIONAL BV

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AI summary

An emulsion stabilizer includes a biopolymer blend of one or more cellulose ether and one or more cross-linked, modified starch wherein one or more of the cellulose ether or the cross-linked, modified starch is hydrophobically modified and wherein the total amount of cellulose ethers in the biopolymer blend is not greater than 50wt%.The invention further relates to emulsion compositions comprising the emulsion stabilizer, and particularly oil-in-water emulsions. In one embodiment the emulsions are suitable for use in personal care formulations.