Egg White Foam Matrix for Rapid Functional Ingredient Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing delivery systems for functional ingredients, particularly amphipathic and oil-soluble ones, face challenges in achieving optimal solubility and release characteristics, leading to limited available doses and undesirable release rates, often requiring costly overdosing and potentially causing dental issues.

Innovation Solution

A delivery system utilizing a whisked egg white foam matrix, comprising 1-50% protein concentration, heat-resistant gelling agents, pH regulators, plasticizers, humectants, and water, which uniformly disperses functional ingredients, enhancing solubility and release by concentrating them at the foam-air interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If encapsulated formulations with confectionery matrix are used to deliver functional ingredients, then the active ingredient can be retained and delivered, but the dissolution rate is limited by the solid matrix which confers a solid taste in the mouth and may cause dental problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery of active ingredientVSAvoiddental problems and solid taste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses phase transition by incorporating the functional ingredient into a foam matrix that transitions from a liquid/foam state during manufacturing to a solid at room temperature, then rapidly dissolves or melts in the oral cavity. This phase transition approach allows the product to maintain a non-solid form during delivery while providing rapid release in the mouth, avoiding the dental problems and unpleasant solid taste associated with traditional confectionery matrices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Speed

If the confectionery matrix is crushed to speed up release of active ingredient, then release rate increases, but this may cause dental problems and the release rate may no longer be optimal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelease rate of active ingredientVSAvoiddental problems

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The foam-based delivery system utilizes phase transition to achieve rapid release without requiring mechanical crushing. The matrix is designed to rapidly dissolve or melt in the oral cavity environment, providing fast release of the active ingredient while maintaining optimal release kinetics and avoiding the dental damage caused by crushing traditional confectionery matrices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Reliability

If high doses of active ingredient are used to compensate for deterioration during manufacturing, then the deterioration damage is compensated, but this results in costly wastage of the active ingredient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from deteriorationVSAvoidwastage of active ingredient

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The foam matrix provides a protective environment during manufacturing that minimizes deterioration of the active ingredient through controlled phase transitions and gentle processing. This reduces the need for overdosing to compensate for degradation, thereby minimizing wastage of expensive active ingredients while ensuring adequate dosing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

4Reliability

If traditional formulations are used for amphipathic and oil-soluble functional ingredients, then delivery can be achieved, but solubility and release characteristics are suboptimal leading to limited available doses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery of functional ingredientVSAvoidavailable dose

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The foam-based delivery system exploits phase transitions to dramatically improve the solubility and release characteristics of amphipathic and oil-soluble functional ingredients. The foam matrix provides a unique interface between liquid and gas phases that enhances dissolution and release kinetics, thereby increasing the available dose of these challenging ingredients compared to traditional formulations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

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 egg white foam matrix amplifies the available dose and facilitates rapid release of functional ingredients, improving delivery efficiency and reducing the risk of dental problems, while being suitable for oral and topical applications.

Implementation Method 1

concentrating them at the foam-air interface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 2

expanded foam matrix

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFoam: Foam

Data Source

PatentUS20260053172A1Expanded foam for delivery of functional ingredients

Publication Date: 2026.02.26 BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM VETMEDICA GMBH

AI summary

The present disclosure provides delivery systems for functional ingredients, such as drugs, nutritional supplements, botanicals, and vitamins. The delivery systems comprise an ingestible matrix within which the functional ingredient(s) are substantially uniformly and completely dispersed. The matrix comprises foams derived by physical shear of egg white to achieve amplified available dose and improved release characteristics of functional ingredients at skin and mucosal surfaces for healthcare purposes. The disclosure also provides methods of preparing and using the delivery systems.