Reduced Coenzyme Q10 Powder Crystallinity Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing reduced coenzyme Q10 powder face challenges such as high crystallinity, low bioavailability, and the need for toxic solvents for purification, limiting its extensive application.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the reduction of oxidized coenzyme Q10 in an organic solvent with a reductant like hyposulphurous acid, followed by spraying the molten reduced coenzyme Q10 liquid into cold air to produce a powder with lower crystallinity and higher bioavailability, using a centrifugal sprayer and adding antioxidants and excipients for enhanced stability and absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If reduced coenzyme Q10 is obtained by crystallization in organic solvent, then the product can be obtained in solid form, but the crystallinity is high and bioavailability is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrystallinity controlVSAvoidbioavailability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the crystallization process, including using specific solvents (acetone, ethanol, isopropanol), controlling temperature ranges (40-60°C), and adjusting solvent-to-substrate ratios to obtain crystals with optimized crystallinity and bioavailability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes phase transition during crystallization by controlling the cooling rate and temperature conditions to transform the reduced coenzyme Q10 from a high-crystallinity state to a lower-crystallinity state with improved bioavailability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

2Ease of manufacture

If vegetable oil is used as solvent for reduction reaction, then the reaction can proceed effectively, but toxic solvents like n-hexane are needed to remove oil from crystal surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereaction efficiencyVSAvoidtoxic solvent residue
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a washing process using ethanol or isopropanol to remove vegetable oil residues from the crystal surface after reduction reaction, eliminating the need for toxic n-hexane while maintaining product purity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive and toxic purification solvents with cheaper, safer alcohol-based washing solutions that effectively remove oil residues without requiring complex purification steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If oxidized coenzyme Q10 is reduced using conventional methods, then reduced coenzyme Q10 can be obtained, but the process requires multiple purification steps and toxic solvents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidpurification process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the reduction reaction and crystallization steps into a more integrated process, where the reaction mixture is directly crystallized after filtration, reducing the number of separate purification steps required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes impurities through simple filtration of the reaction mixture and washing of crystals with alcohol, eliminating the need for complex multi-step purification procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 method results in a reduced coenzyme Q10 powder with higher purity and bioavailability, improved stability, and reduced crystallinity, suitable for various applications including pharmaceuticals, health foods, and cosmetics, with enhanced absorption characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

adding a reductant for reaction; wherein the reductant is selected from one or more of hyposulphurous acid or salt thereof, ascorbic acid or salt thereof, carbodithioic acid or salt thereof, or reductase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReduction reaction: Reduction

Implementation Method 2

spraying by a centrifugal sprayer, to form particles in cold air after spraying

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 3

spraying by a centrifugal sprayer, to form particles in cold air after spraying; the temperature of the cold air is not higher than 30°C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP2995605B1Method for preparing a reduced coenzyme q10 powder.
Publication Date: 2022.11.16 ZHE JIANG MEDICINE CO LTD XINCHANG PHARMA FAB
  • EP2995605B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2995605B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2995605B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention describes a reduction type coenzyme Q10 powder, a composition thereof, and a preparation method thereof. The reduction type coenzyme Q10 powder is obtained by reacting an oxidation type coenzyme Q10 with the presence of a reducing agent, removing an organic solvent and other purities after the reaction is finished to obtain an oil-soluble reduction type coenzyme Q10 liquid, and then directly performing prill formation with cold wind on an obtained reduction type coenzyme Q10 greasy substance. The reduction type coenzyme Q10 powder has a lower crystallinity, and in a Cu-Kα X-ray diffraction spectrum, has a strong peak at a diffraction angle 2θ being 18.9 DEG , and has a very strong absorption peak at a diffraction angle 2θ being 22.8 DEG. The reduction type coenzyme Q10 powder is in an incompletely crystallized state, has desirable stability and desirable oral bioavailability.