Black Tea Leaf Extract Processing for Stable Cosmetic Formulations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extraction methods for black tea extracts fail to effectively capture beneficial compounds like sugars, amino acids, and small RNAs, leading to instability and potential toxicity, while high catechin concentrations can cause phototoxicity and limit stability.
Innovation Solution
A novel extraction process using phytic acid and activated carbon, followed by PVPP treatment, to produce a black tea extract enriched with small RNAs, sugars, phenolic compounds, and organic acids, without DNA, and diluted with physiologically acceptable solvents to enhance stability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional organic solvent extraction methods are used to obtain black tea extracts rich in phenolic compounds, then the extraction efficiency of catechins is improved, but the extract contains little or no phenolic acids, sugars, amino acids, or oligoribonucleotides and exhibits instability and potential toxicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the extraction parameters by using aqueous solutions instead of organic solvents, adjusting pH levels, and controlling temperature to selectively extract different compounds. This allows obtaining an extract rich in phenolic acids, sugars, amino acids, and oligoribonucleotides while maintaining catechin content at stable, non-toxic levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent selectively extracts specific compounds from black tea leaves by using aqueous extraction methods that target phenolic acids, sugars, amino acids, and oligoribonucleotides while controlling the extraction of catechins to prevent phototoxicity. This selective extraction resolves the contradiction by obtaining the desired compounds without the harmful effects.
2Reliability
If high concentrations of catechins are present in the extract, then antioxidant activity is improved, but phototoxicity increases and stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the concentration parameters of catechins in the extract, maintaining them at levels that provide antioxidant activity without reaching phototoxic thresholds. By adjusting extraction conditions and final extract composition, the patent achieves optimal antioxidant efficacy while eliminating phototoxicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of high catechin concentrations (phototoxicity) into a benefit by carefully controlling extraction to achieve optimal antioxidant activity at safe concentration levels. The extraction method is designed to capture the beneficial antioxidant properties while avoiding the harmful phototoxic effects.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If aqueous extraction methods are used to obtain sugars and amino acids, then the extract is safer for cosmetic use, but the extraction efficiency of these polar molecules is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes aqueous extraction parameters including pH adjustment, temperature control, and extraction time to maximize the solubility and extraction efficiency of polar molecules such as sugars and amino acids. These parameter changes enable effective extraction of the desired compounds using safe aqueous solvents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses aqueous solutions that serve multiple functions: they are safe for cosmetic application and simultaneously effective at extracting polar molecules like sugars and amino acids. The aqueous extraction medium performs both safety and extraction efficiency functions, resolving the contradiction between safety and extraction effectiveness.
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 resulting extract provides effective skin care benefits, including protection from external aggressions, anti-aging, increased photoprotection, and improved hydration, while being stable and non-toxic.
Implementation Method 1
A novel extraction process using phytic acid and activated carbon
Implementation Method 2
followed by PVPP treatment
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a black tea (Camellia sinensis) extract enriched in particular in small RNAs, sugars, phenolic compounds, amino acids and theanine, and to a method for preparing such an extract. The invention also relates to cosmetic compositions comprising such an extract, and to the uses of cosmetic compositions comprising a black tea extract from any source, excluding black tea from Mauritius, for the care of the skin, the scalp and skin appendages, and more particularly for protecting the skin against external stresses and oxidation, combating the signs of skin ageing, increasing photoprotection, lightening the skin and improving skin hydration.