Enzymatic Polyglycerol Esters of 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing 3-hydroxybutyric acid and its salts are inefficient, physiologically incompatible, and result in toxic by-products, limiting their therapeutic potential for metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases.
Innovation Solution
A method for producing polyol esters, particularly polyglycerol esters of 3-hydroxybutyric acid, which are physiologically compatible and can be administered in larger quantities without toxic by-products, using a single-step reaction with commercially available starting materials and enzyme catalysts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods are used to produce 3-hydroxybutyric acid and its salts, then production can be achieved, but the methods are inefficient and produce toxic by-products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the reaction system by using enzyme catalysts (lipases or esterases) instead of conventional chemical catalysts, conducting the reaction in aqueous buffer solutions at physiological pH and temperature ranges. This enzymatic approach selectively produces polyglycerol esters of 3-hydroxybutyric acid without toxic by-products, resolving the contradiction between production efficiency and harmful by-product generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces polyglycerol as an intermediary substance that reacts with 3-hydroxybutyric acid to form polyglycerol esters. This intermediary approach allows the active metabolite to be delivered in a biocompatible form that avoids direct administration of free 3-hydroxybutyric acid salts, eliminating toxicity issues while maintaining therapeutic efficacy
2Reliability
If free 3-hydroxybutyric acid or its salts are administered, then therapeutic effects can be achieved, but physiological incompatibility and toxicity occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physicochemical parameters of the administered compound by converting free 3-hydroxybutyric acid into its polyglycerol ester form. This modification alters the compound's solubility, stability, and bioavailability characteristics, enabling physiological compatibility while maintaining the ability to release active 3-hydroxybutyric acid in the body for therapeutic effect
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary esterification of 3-hydroxybutyric acid with polyglycerol to create a pre-formed ester prodrug. This preliminary action protects the active metabolite from premature degradation and improves its pharmacokinetic properties, allowing safe administration followed by in vivo hydrolysis to release the therapeutic agent
3Duration of action of moving object
If polyglycerol esters of 3-hydroxybutyric acid are produced, then sustained energy supply and therapeutic benefits are achieved, but production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses polyglycerol as a mediator that provides multiple hydroxyl groups for esterification with 3-hydroxybutyric acid. This creates polyglycerol esters with extended molecular structures that resist rapid metabolism, thereby sustaining energy supply over time. The same polyglycerol structure simplifies the production process by enabling one-pot enzymatic reactions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs continuous enzymatic catalysis where lipases or esterases continuously facilitate the esterification reaction between 3-hydroxybutyric acid and polyglycerol. This continuous action ensures complete conversion and produces stable polyglycerol esters that provide sustained therapeutic effects, while the catalyst can be reused or easily separated
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 polyglycerol esters of 3-hydroxybutyric acid serve as effective precursors, providing sustained energy supply and therapeutic benefits with minimal side effects, suitable for pharmaceutical and food applications.
Implementation Method 1
The esterification is catalysed by a lipase or an esterase
Implementation Method 2
at least one compound of the general formula (I) is reacted with at least one polyol (II) so that, as a reaction product, one or more 3-hydroxybutyric acid polyol esters (III) are obtained
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing polyol esters, especially polyglycerol esters, of 3-hydroxybutyric acid as well as the products thus obtained and their use.