Water-Soluble Curcumin Liquid via Co-Crystal Emulsification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Curcumin's poor water solubility limits its absorption and effectiveness in the body, and existing methods to improve solubility often involve hazardous organic solvents, compromising safety and quality.
Innovation Solution
A solvent-free method to create a water-soluble curcumin liquid by dissolving curcumin with vitamin C and ascorbyl palmitate, forming a co-crystal, and then using vacuum emulsification, two-stage wet grinding, and ultra-high pressure homogenization to enhance solubility and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If curcumin is dissolved in organic solvents (ethanol, acetic acid, propylene glycol) to improve solubility, then solubility is enhanced, but safety risks increase and solvent residues compromise quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses phospholipids and cyclodextrin as intermediary substances to solubilize curcumin without requiring hazardous organic solvents. These intermediaries form inclusion complexes or micellar structures that encapsulate curcumin, enabling its dissolution in water-based systems while eliminating safety risks associated with traditional organic solvents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the solubilization system by using phospholipids and cyclodextrin to create alternative solvation mechanisms. This parameter change allows curcumin to be solubilized through host-guest complexation and micellar encapsulation rather than traditional organic solvent dissolution, thereby improving safety while maintaining solubility.
2Stability of the object's composition
If synthetic emulsifiers (Tween, polyglycerol esters) are used to emulsify curcumin, then emulsification is achieved, but safety and quality are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces synthetic emulsifiers with natural, biodegradable alternatives such as phospholipids and cyclodextrin. These natural substances provide the necessary emulsification and stabilization functions without the safety concerns associated with synthetic additives, aligning with cleaner label trends and regulatory requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite approach by combining phospholipids and cyclodextrin to achieve synergistic emulsification and solubilization effects. This composite material system provides both the emulsification capability and the safety profile required, eliminating the need for synthetic emulsifiers while maintaining product stability.
3Reliability
If curcumin is used in its native form, then natural purity is maintained, but water solubility is poor and absorption is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces phospholipids and cyclodextrin as intermediary substances that bridge the hydrophobic curcumin and hydrophilic aqueous environment. These intermediaries form soluble complexes with curcumin, dramatically improving water solubility and bioavailability while maintaining the natural purity of curcumin itself, as curcumin remains chemically unchanged within the complex.
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 curcumin liquid with improved water solubility, light resistance, and acid precipitation resistance, ensuring safer production and enhanced physiological effects without solvent residues.
Implementation Method 1
dissolving curcumin, vitamin C and ascorbyl palmitate in an ethanol aqueous solution, evaporating ethanol under reduced pressure, and vacuum drying to obtain a curcumin-vitamin C (VC)-ascorbyl palmitate co-crystal
Implementation Method 2
high-speed emulsifying the curcumin-vitamin C-ascorbyl palmitate co-crystal and a water-soluble colloidal solution that includes an emulsifying additive under vacuum
Implementation Method 3
sequentially conducting a two-stage wet grinding, a homogenization and a Zeta potential adjustment
Implementation Method 4
sequentially conducting a two-stage wet grinding, a homogenization and a Zeta potential adjustment to obtain the water-soluble curcumin liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A method for preparing a water-soluble curcumin liquid includes the following steps: A) dissolving curcumin, vitamin C and ascorbyl palmitate in an ethanol aqueous solution, evaporating ethanol under reduced pressure, and vacuum drying to obtain a curcumin-vitamin C-ascorbyl palmitate co-crystal; and B) high-speed emulsifying the curcumin-vitamin C-ascorbyl palmitate co-crystal and a water-soluble colloidal solution that includes an emulsifying additive under vacuum, sequentially conducting a two-stage wet grinding, a homogenization and a potential adjustment to obtain the water-soluble curcumin liquid.