Colloidal Microcrystalline Cellulose Coatings for Stable Attrition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing colloidal microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) compositions with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) are ineffective for attrition due to being too 'slippery', and the use of multivalent ions can lead to stability issues in low viscosity liquids, particularly in milk products, necessitating a solution that avoids CMC and multivalent ions.
Innovation Solution
A colloidal MCC composition is developed, where MCC particles are at least partially coated with polysaccharides and an acid, specifically acidic polysaccharides like alginate, karaya, or citric acid, to facilitate effective attrition without the need for multivalent ions, resulting in stable suspensions and dispersions in low viscosity liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with viscosity of at least 100 cP and degree of substitution of at least 0.95 is used to coat MCC particles, then the MCC particles become too 'slippery' to provide effective co-attrition, but using less viscous or lower substitution CMC reduces the protective effect and dispersion stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the coating polysaccharide by using acidic polysaccharides (containing carboxyl, sulfate, or phosphate groups) with specific charge densities and molecular weights, rather than relying on CMC viscosity and substitution degree. This parameter change allows effective attrition while maintaining stability through electrostatic and steric mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite acidic polysaccharide coatings on MCC particles, combining multiple polysaccharide components with different functional groups to achieve both effective attrition and stable dispersion. The composite structure provides multiple stabilization mechanisms (electrostatic repulsion, steric hindrance, and hydrogen bonding) without the slippery effect of high-viscosity CMC.
2Ease of manufacture
If multivalent ions (such as calcium chloride) are used as attrition aids to increase friction among particles, then attrition becomes more effective, but stability issues arise in low viscosity liquids particularly in milk products requiring sequestrants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates multivalent ions from the attrition process by using acidic polysaccharide coatings that provide effective attrition through acid-catalyzed mechanisms and hydrogen bonding, rather than through ion-mediated friction. This removal of multivalent ions eliminates the need for sequestrants in milk products.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical friction mechanism provided by multivalent ions with a chemical mechanism involving acidic polysaccharide coatings that facilitate attrition through proton donation and hydrogen bonding, then provide stabilization through electrostatic and steric effects without requiring additional sequestrating agents.
3Adaptability or versatility
If polysaccharides from plant sources are used to replace CMC for clean label applications, then the clean label requirement is met, but many polysaccharides fail to provide sufficient mechanical force transfer during attrition and do not form stable dispersions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and utilizes specific parameters of acidic polysaccharides (charge density, molecular weight, degree of acetylation, source material) that enable both clean label compliance and effective attrition. By selecting polysaccharides with appropriate parameters (e.g., gum arabic with specific arabinoxylan content, locust bean gum with galactomannan structure), the patent achieves effective mechanical force transfer during attrition while maintaining clean label status.
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 solution enables effective attrition and dispersion of MCC particles in various products, including milk, without the use of sequestrants, achieving stable suspensions and dispersions, and maintaining stability over time.
Implementation Method 1
the acid is provided in an amount effective to lower the pH of the wetcake to 4.5 or less
Implementation Method 2
MCC particles which are at least partially coated with at least one polysaccharide
Implementation Method 3
Colloidal MCC will typically form stable suspensions with little to no settling of the dispersed solids
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed colloidal microcrystalline compositions, particularly for suspending particles in low viscosity fluids, produced by co-attrition of a mixture of microcrystalline cellulose and at least a polysaccharide in the presence of acidic attrition aid; their preparation; and, products made therewith.