Cyclodextrin-Stabilized Emulsion for Stable Icing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing icings and toppings often lack stability and versatility in terms of texture and application, particularly in maintaining structure above the melting point of their oil components and requiring crystalline fats for stability, which limits their use in aerated and whipped forms.

Innovation Solution

An oil-and-water emulsion comprising 15-40 wt.% water, 30-60 wt.% oil, 1.5-18 wt.% cyclodextrin, and 12-50 wt.% saccharides, which is highly stable and can be used to create pourable or solid icings, fillings, and toppings that maintain structure even above the melting point of their oil components without requiring crystalline fats, enabling aerated and whipped forms with excellent ambient temperature stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If crystalline fats are used to ensure stability, then stability is improved, but versatility and ease of manufacture are worsened due to limited application options and required special ingredients

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidversatility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing crystalline fats with a specific oil-in-water emulsion formulation containing 30-60 wt% oil, 15-40 wt% water, 1.5-18 wt% cyclodextrin, and 12-50 wt% saccharides. This parameter change enables the emulsion to maintain stability without crystalline fats while providing versatility in texture and application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite emulsion system combining multiple components (oil, water, cyclodextrin, saccharides) in specific proportions. This composite material approach replaces the need for crystalline fats while achieving both stability and versatility through the synergistic interaction of emulsion components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If crystalline fats are used to maintain structure, then structure is improved, but ease of manufacture is worsened due to need for special ingredients and limited texture options

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestructureVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the formulation parameters by eliminating crystalline fats and using a liquid oil-based emulsion system with controlled composition. This enables standard manufacturing processes while achieving the desired structure through emulsion stability mechanisms rather than crystalline fat networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces cyclodextrin as an intermediary substance that mediates between the oil and water phases, enabling stable emulsion formation without crystalline fats. The cyclodextrin acts as a structural mediator that maintains emulsion stability and provides texture without requiring crystalline fat ingredients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If oil content is increased for versatility in texture, then versatility is improved, but stability is worsened due to oil melting above melting point

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveversatilityVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the oil content parameter to 30-60 wt% while simultaneously adjusting water content (15-40 wt%), cyclodextrin (1.5-18 wt%), and saccharide (12-50 wt%) parameters. This coordinated parameter change enables high oil content for versatility while maintaining stability through the protective emulsion matrix and cyclodextrin stabilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses cyclodextrin as a protective intermediary that shields the oil phase from melting and coalescing. The cyclodextrin forms a protective interface around oil droplets, preventing instability even at high oil contents and above the melting point of the oil components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 emulsion provides a stable base for a wide range of icings, fillings, and toppings that can be aerated or whipped, offering excellent ambient temperature stability and versatility in texture, eliminating the need for crystalline fats and allowing for pleasant mouthfeel characteristics through controlled fat content.

Implementation Method 1

Because cyclodextrins have a hydrophobic inside and a hydrophilic outside, they can form complexes with hydrophobic compounds. Thus, they can enhance the water solubility and bioavailability of such compounds.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectComplex formation:

Implementation Method 2

An oil-and-water emulsion comprising 15-40 wt.% water, 30-60 wt.% oil, 1.5-18 wt.% cyclodextrin, and 12-50 wt.% saccharides

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmulsion: Emulsion

Data Source

PatentUS11291216B2Base emulsion for the preparation of icings, fillings and toppings
Publication Date: 2022.04.05 BRILL INC

AI summary

The invention relates to an oil-and-water emulsion comprising an aqueous phase and an oil phase, said emulsion containing: —15-40 wt. % water; —30-60 wt. % oil; —1.5-18 wt. % of cyclodextrin selected from alpha-cyclodextrin, beta-cyclodextrin and combinations thereof; —12-50 wt. % of saccharides selected from monosaccharides, disaccharides, non-cyclic oligosaccharides, sugar alcohols and combinations thereof. The emulsions according to the present invention are highly stable under ambient conditions, can easily be used as a base for the manufacture of a variety of icings, fillings and toppings. These base emulsions can suitably be aerated (creamed) to produce a creamed icing or filling, or a whipped topping that has excellent ambient temperature stability.