Collagen Powder Isoelectric Precipitation Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing collagen powder face challenges such as low thermal stability, ease of denaturation, and complex processes, making it difficult to maintain the triple-helix structure and achieve efficient production.
Innovation Solution
A method involving isoelectric precipitation of collagen solutions at specific pH ranges to achieve collagen precipitates with controlled particle sizes, followed by dispersion in hydrophilic solvents and air-drying to produce collagen powder with enhanced thermal stability and solubility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If collagen is solubilized using conventional methods (enzyme treatment, alkali addition), then collagen can be dissolved and processed, but the resulting collagen has low thermal stability and easily denatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the pH to the isoelectric point range (pH 4.0-6.0) during collagen precipitation. This pH control causes collagen molecules to aggregate into fine precipitates with specific particle sizes (0.1-10 μm), which upon drying produces powder that maintains thermal stability while remaining soluble. The isoelectric point pH condition is the critical parameter change that resolves the contradiction between solubilization ease and thermal stability.
2Productivity
If collagen solution is concentrated to high collagen content, then production efficiency improves, but the solution becomes more prone to denaturation and requires complex storage conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition by precipitating collagen from concentrated solution at its isoelectric point, transforming it from a soluble state to an insoluble precipitate state. This phase transition allows the collagen to be concentrated into fine particles that can be dried into stable powder form, eliminating the need for refrigerated storage while maintaining high production efficiency through concentrated processing.
3Ease of operation
If collagen precipitates are made with larger particle sizes for easier handling, then processing becomes simpler, but solubility and dissolution rate decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by controlling the particle size to a specific range (0.1-10 μm) and concentrating the collagen content within the precipitates to 10-50% by mass. This dimensional control of particle size, combined with high concentration, creates fine particles that are both easy to handle and highly soluble, as the small size increases surface area for dissolution while the high concentration ensures efficient production.
4Device complexity
If conventional drying methods are used on collagen precipitates, then production process is simple, but the collagen denatures and loses its triple-helix structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs freeze-drying (lyophilization) which utilizes phase transition from frozen state directly to vapor state, bypassing the liquid phase. This allows water removal from collagen precipitates at low temperatures, preserving the triple-helix structure while achieving complete drying. The frozen state protection during sublimation prevents thermal denaturation that would occur with conventional heating methods.
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 collagen powder maintains a triple-helix structure at high temperatures, exhibits excellent solubility, and simplifies production processes, offering improved storage and handling characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
adjusting pH to an isoelectric point and thereby obtaining isoelectric precipitates
Implementation Method 2
drying the thus obtained dispersion to obtain a collagen powder
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a collagen powder and/or a collagen derivative powder, which are obtained by dispersing in a hydrophilic organic solvent a crude collagen precipitate which comprises 12 to 50% by mass of a collagen precipitate and/or a collagen derivative precipitate having an average particle size of I to 1,000 µm, recovering solids and then drying the solids. By dispersing the crude collagen precipitate in the hydrophilic organic solvent, the resulting precipitates can be dehydrated, so that drying of the thus obtained solids can be done by air-drying. In addition, the resulting collagen powder and/or collagen derivative powder exhibit excellent solubility due to an increased specific surface area and also have excellent ease of handling with the average particle size being 8 to 1,000 µm.