Eggshell Membrane Hydrolysate Composition for Fast, Mild Solubilization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for hydrolyzing eggshell membrane are limited by low hydrolysis rates, unsuitability for food and cosmetic use due to allergens, undesirable odors and tastes, and regulatory issues, making it difficult to produce organoleptically acceptable products for oral and topical applications.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising cysteine protease, preferably papain, and L-cysteine HCl Anhydrous as a reducing agent, with optional masking agents, is used to solubilize eggshell membrane through a hydrolysis, filtration, concentration, and drying process, ensuring high hydrolysis rates and acceptable organoleptic properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If chemical hydrolysis methods using strong acids or bases are used, then hydrolysis rate is improved, but harmful factors are generated (allergens, unpleasant odors and tastes)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrolysis rateVSAvoidallergens and unpleasant organoleptic properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical hydrolysis methods (using strong acids or bases) with enzymatic hydrolysis using cysteine proteases. This substitution eliminates the harmful effects of chemical reagents (allergens, unpleasant odors and tastes) while maintaining effective hydrolysis of eggshell membrane proteins into bioactive peptides.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the hydrolysis process by using specific enzymes (cysteine proteases) that operate under milder conditions compared to strong acids or bases. The use of L-cysteine HCl as a reducing agent further modifies the reaction conditions to achieve complete hydrolysis without generating harmful byproducts, resulting in organoleptically acceptable products.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If enzymatic hydrolysis methods are used, then harmful factors are reduced, but hydrolysis rate and productivity are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveallergens and unpleasant organoleptic propertiesVSAvoidhydrolysis rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite enzymatic system combining cysteine proteases with L-cysteine HCl as a reducing agent. This combination enhances the hydrolytic activity and allows for more complete breakdown of eggshell membrane proteins, significantly improving hydrolysis rates and productivity while maintaining the safety and organoleptic quality benefits of enzymatic methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If partial hydrolysis is used, then allergenicity is reduced, but productivity and economic interest are lowered

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveallergenicityVSAvoidproductivity level
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements complete hydrolysis of eggshell membrane proteins using cysteine proteases and L-cysteine HCl, converting all proteins into bioactive peptides. This continuous and complete hydrolytic action eliminates allergenicity while maximizing productivity and economic value, as the complete hydrolysate can be fully utilized in food and cosmetic applications without wasting undigested material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Reliability

If reagents suitable for food use are used, then safety is improved, but hydrolysis rate and organoleptic properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuitability for food and cosmetic useVSAvoidhydrolysis rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional food-safe reagents (like metabisulphite) with enzymatic systems (cysteine proteases). This substitution achieves both complete hydrolysis at high rates and excellent organoleptic properties, while ensuring the products are safe for food and cosmetic use since enzymes are naturally occurring and readily biodegradable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 achieves high hydrolysis rates comparable to metabisulphite, with improved bioactive peptide quality and organoleptic properties, suitable for both oral and topical products without regulatory issues, and higher yield of biomolecules.

Implementation Method 1

enzymatic methods, which consist of membrane hydrolysis by means of proteolytic enzymes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzymatic hydrolysis: Enzyme

Implementation Method 2

The possibility of exogenously hydrolysing the eggshell membrane can be an effective method to increase both its hydrolysis rate and solubility

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 3

L-cysteine HCl Anhydrous as reducing agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReduction: Reduction

Data Source

PatentEP4674420A1Composition and method for obtaining eggshell membrane products suitable for oral and topical use
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 EGGNOVO SL
  • EP4674420A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4674420A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4674420A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a composition and method for solubilizing eggshell membrane at convenient rates. The present invention also relates to organoleptically acceptable products obtained therein, and to their oral or topical application to improve a disease or condition in a subject.