Dietary Supplement LSESr Composition With Supercritical CO2 Fractionation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing saw palmetto extract processes lack control over the composition of free fatty acids and their ratios, leading to variability in effectiveness, and traditional extraction methods leave residual solvents, complicating the determination of therapeutic value and shelf stability.
Innovation Solution
A method involving cryogenic milling, aging, and supercritical CO2 extraction with sequential fractionations to achieve a lipidosterolic extract (LSESr) with a high ratio of free fatty acids to total fatty acids (>80%) and enrichment of lauric, myristic, oleic, and linoleic acids (>82%) for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional extraction methods (hexane, ethanol) are used to isolate lipidosterolic extract, then the extraction process is simple and commonly used, but residual harsh organic chemicals remain in the extract, compromising safety and therapeutic value determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the extraction parameters from conventional solvents (hexane, ethanol) to supercritical CO2, altering the physical state and properties of the extraction medium to achieve complete solvent removal while maintaining extraction efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional chemical extraction system with a supercritical fluid extraction system, using CO2 in a supercritical state to extract lipids without leaving harmful residues, thereby eliminating the need for complex purification steps to remove solvents
2Ease of manufacture
If standard extraction processes are used, then the extraction is straightforward, but the composition of free fatty acids and their ratios cannot be controlled, leading to variability in therapeutic effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the extraction process into multiple sequential fractionations at different pressures and temperatures, separating the lipidosterolic extract into distinct fractions based on their physical properties to achieve precise control over free fatty acid composition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent systematically varies extraction parameters (pressure, temperature) during sequential fractionations to selectively extract different lipid components, enabling precise control over the free fatty acid profile and ratio in the final extract
3Reliability
If the extract is formulated with high free fatty acid content for enhanced therapeutic effect, then therapeutic efficacy is improved, but shelf stability is compromised without additives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the extract by controlling the free fatty acid to total fatty acid ratio during extraction, creating a formulation that achieves both high therapeutic efficacy and inherent shelf stability through compositional control rather than additives
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 enhanced LSESr achieves consistent therapeutic benefits for prostate and hair health, with improved shelf stability up to 4 years without additives, and targeted inhibition of 5α-Reductase enzymes, enhancing urinary and prostate function and promoting hair growth.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting the aged saw palmetto powder to supercritical CO2 extraction at a first extraction pressure and first extraction temperature to produce a CO2 extract
Implementation Method 2
cryogenically milling at a temperature no greater than −20 degrees Centigrade, dried saw palmetto berries having greater than about 10% moisture into a saw palmetto powder
Data Source
AI summary
A dietary supplement composition includes a shelf stable, supercritical CO2 fluid extracted, enhanced lipidosterolic extract of Serenoa repens (LSESr) having about an enrichment of lauric, myristic, oleic and linoleic free fatty acids to total free fatty acids greater than about 82.0% and a ratio of free fatty acids to total fatty acids greater than about 80.08. A method of making the enhanced LSESr includes subjecting aged saw palmetto powder to supercritical CO2 extraction followed by first and second separations.