Chitosan Cellulose Composite Fat Sequestration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chitosan of vegetable origin is less effective in binding fats in gastrointestinal fluids and lacks spontaneous gelling behavior compared to animal origin chitosan, making it less attractive for weight control supplements, and has higher costs and lower viscosity.
Innovation Solution
Combining chitosan of vegetable origin with powdered cellulose to restore gelling properties in water and oil mixtures and enhance fat absorption, using a weight ratio of 1:3 for optimal efficacy, optionally with ascorbic acid to improve fat-sequestration effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If chitosan of vegetable origin is used, then cost is reduced and allergenicity is eliminated, but fat binding effectiveness and gelling behavior deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines chitosan of vegetable origin with powdered cellulose in a composite material system. This composite approach allows the mixture to achieve gelling behavior and fat binding effectiveness comparable to animal origin chitosan, while maintaining the cost and safety advantages of vegetable origin sources. The synergistic interaction between chitosan and cellulose creates a functional composite that resolves the effectiveness deficit.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If chitosan of vegetable origin is used, then heavy metal residues are reduced, but viscosity and gelling properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By formulating a composite of vegetable chitosan and powdered cellulose, the patent restores gelling properties that are inherently weak in vegetable origin chitosan alone. The cellulose component contributes to the gel structure formation, compensating for the deficiency in vegetable chitosan while maintaining the low heavy metal residue advantage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If chitosan of vegetable origin is used, then allergenicity from crustacea is eliminated, but fat sequestration capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The composite formulation combines the allergen-free advantage of vegetable chitosan with the fat binding enhancement provided by powdered cellulose. The synergistic effect of the composite system achieves fat sequestration capability comparable to animal origin chitosan while eliminating crustacea allergen concerns.
4Ease of manufacture
If chitosan of vegetable origin is used, then production cost is reduced, but viscosity increases less than animal origin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite of vegetable chitosan and powdered cellulose to achieve viscosity levels sufficient for gelling behavior. The cellulose component contributes to the overall viscosity and gel structure, allowing the formulation to achieve functional viscosity at lower cost than animal origin chitosan.
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 chitosan-cellulose combination significantly reduces fat absorption by 45%, matching or exceeding the efficacy of animal origin chitosan, with improved gelling and viscosity, and is cost-effective, making it suitable for obesity and cholesterol control.
Implementation Method 1
Chitosan is an aminopolysaccharide which, due to the basic positively-charged amino groups present in its polysaccharide chain, is able to bind and sequester fatty acids in dietary lipid substances
Implementation Method 2
reducing the absorption of dietary cholesterol by binding to bile acids
Implementation Method 3
In the stomach and intestine, chitosan acts as a non-absorbable fibre, like cellulose. Chitosan of animal origin is an agent that increases the viscosity of foods, thus causing distension of the duodenum
Implementation Method 4
Co-administration in a defined ratio with ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) can considerably improve the fat-sequestration effects of chitosan and stabilise the emulsions throughout the intestinal tract
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are compositions for oral administration useful in the control of obesity, excess weight and excess cholesterol and triglycerides, containing polysaccharides that sequester fats present in the diet, which are therefore not absorbed in the gastroenteric tract. The compositions contain a combination of chitosan of vegetable origin, able to bind fatty acids, and powdered cellulose, able to gel in a mixed oily/aqueous medium. Quantity by weight being equal, the combination has superior efficacy characteristics to chitosan of vegetable origin only.