Encapsulated Natural Colors for pH, Heat, and Light Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Natural colors used in household, industrial, and institutional (HI&I) products lack sufficient stability to pH, temperature, and light for an acceptable shelf-life, limiting their use in these compositions.
Innovation Solution
Encapsulating natural colors with a naturally occurring or synthetic polymer to enhance stability, making them stable to pH, temperature, and light, including simulated solar irradiation, and UV radiation, using materials like rosin, terpenes, and natural gums to form stable emulsions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If natural colors are used in HI&I products, then the products meet environmental sustainability demands and consumer preferences for natural ingredients, but the natural colors lack sufficient stability to pH, temperature, and light for an acceptable shelf-life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical state and chemical environment of natural colors through encapsulation. The natural colors are transformed from unstable free forms into stable encapsulated forms with controlled release properties, changing their responsiveness to pH, temperature, and light parameters to achieve acceptable shelf-life stability while maintaining natural ingredient status
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by creating encapsulated natural color systems where natural colorants are combined with encapsulating agents (polymers, surfactants, or other materials) to form composite structures. These composites provide the stability needed for HI&I products while retaining the natural origin and coloring function of the original natural colors
2Stability of the object's composition
If encapsulated natural colors are used to enhance stability, then the colors achieve sufficient pH, temperature, and light stability for acceptable shelf-life, but the product formulation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the natural color system into separate functional components: the natural colorant core and the encapsulating agent shell. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall formulation process, as the encapsulated unit functions as a complete, self-contained stability package that can be added to products without requiring complex formulation adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary (the encapsulating agent) that mediates between the natural color and the harsh HI&I product environment. This intermediary protects the natural color from degradation by pH, temperature, and light while controlling its release, thereby simplifying the overall formulation by providing a single stable unit rather than requiring multiple stabilizing 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 encapsulated natural colors maintain stability under varying pH conditions (acidic to basic) and temperatures (−20°C to 60°C) for up to 6 months, and withstand simulated solar irradiation for extended periods, ensuring long-term color retention and safety in HI&I products.
Implementation Method 1
encapsulating material which, at least in part, encapsulates the natural color
Implementation Method 2
using materials like rosin, terpenes, and natural gums to form stable emulsions
Implementation Method 3
the encapsulated natural color is stable in water to simulated solar irradiation... and UV radiation
Data Source
AI summary
Use of an encapsulated natural color for coloring a household, industrial or institutional (HI&I) product wherein the encapsulated natural color is stable in water to simulated solar irradiation at 765 Watt in accordance with International Commission on Illumination 85 (1989, Table 4, 3 mm window glass) reference sun for a period of between 8 hours and 16 hours.