Expanded Foam Matrix for Rapid Release of Functional Ingredients
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing delivery systems for functional ingredients, particularly amphipathic and oil-soluble ingredients, face challenges in achieving optimal solubility and release characteristics, leading to inefficient dosage and potential damage during manufacturing, and often require high doses to compensate for solubility issues.
Innovation Solution
A delivery system using an expanded foam matrix composed of whisked egg white, 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
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional solid matrices (confectionery, glassy, sintered) are used to deliver functional ingredients, then the active ingredient is retained and delivered according to dissolution rate, but the active ingredient may suffer from deterioration or damage due to heat and mechanical stresses in manufacturing, and overdosing is required to compensate for strong processing conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the delivery matrix from solid (confectionery, glassy, sintered) to semi-solid (expanded foam) with controlled foam expansion. This parameter change allows incorporation of heat-sensitive functional ingredients without subjecting them to extreme manufacturing conditions, while maintaining delivery effectiveness through the foam structure's controlled dissolution and release properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite delivery system combining foam matrix (providing gentle, low-stress structure), functional ingredients (active components), and excipients (facilitating solubility and release). This composite approach allows each component to contribute its strengths: the foam provides a gentle matrix that doesn't damage sensitive ingredients, while excipients enhance solubility and controlled release without requiring overdosing
2Quantity of substance
If high doses of functional ingredient are used to compensate for solubility issues in conventional formulations, then adequate dosage is achieved, but cost increases due to wastage of active ingredient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solubility parameters of the functional ingredient delivery system by using foam matrix and excipients that enhance solubility. This allows adequate dosing with lower amounts of active ingredient, reducing wastage while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness. The foam structure and excipient selection optimize the solubility-release profile to maximize bioavailability of the functional ingredient
3Reliability
If functional ingredients are incorporated into pressed tablets or glassy matrices, then delivery according to dissolution rate is achieved, but the solid taste in the mouth is considered unattractive, especially for unpalatable active ingredients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical form from hard solid (tablet, glassy matrix) to semi-solid expanded foam. This parameter change improves palatability by providing a softer, more pleasant mouthfeel that masks unpalatable active ingredients, while maintaining controlled release through the foam's structured dissolution and excipient-mediated release mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite foam formulation that combines the functional ingredient with excipients designed to enhance both solubility and palatability. The excipients serve dual functions: facilitating controlled release of the active ingredient and improving sensory characteristics (taste, texture) to make unpalatable ingredients more acceptable to consumers
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 system provides improved solubility and rapid release of functional ingredients, offering a greater available dose and convenient administration, suitable for both human and animal use, with tailored formulations for specific health benefits.
Implementation Method 1
an expanded foam matrix wherein the one or more functional ingredient(s) are substantially uniformly dispersed
Implementation Method 2
one or more heat resistant and/or heat sensitive gelling agents
Data Source
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.