Fat Composition Solubility via Triterpene Alcohol Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phytosterols in edible fats or oils tend to crystallize under storage conditions, particularly at low temperatures or high-humidity conditions, leading to poor solubility and reduced effectiveness of their blood cholesterol-lowering action.
Innovation Solution
A fat or oil composition containing 0.4 to 6% of a free type tetracyclic triterpene alcohol and 0.2 to 3% of a free type phytosterol, with a mass ratio of triterpene alcohol to phytosterol of 0.9 or more, specifically utilizing cycloartenol and β-sitosterol to enhance solubility and suppress crystallization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If free type phytosterol is added to edible fat or oil, then cholesterol-lowering action is improved, but solubility deteriorates and crystallization occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces free type triterpene alcohol as an intermediary substance to mediate between phytosterol and edible fat/oil. The triterpene alcohol forms a complex with phytosterol that has improved solubility in the fat/oil matrix, preventing crystallization while maintaining the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of the phytosterol.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite system combining free type phytosterol and free type triterpene alcohol in specific ratios (0.1-10 mass%). This composite formulation leverages the synergistic effects of both components, where the triterpene alcohol enhances the solubility and stability of the phytosterol in the edible fat or oil matrix.
2Reliability
If free type phytosterol is blended in edible fat or oil, then physiological effects are improved, but storage stability deteriorates under low temperature and high humidity
Solution Approach 1:
Free type triterpene alcohol serves as a protective intermediary that stabilizes the phytosterol structure during storage. The triterpene alcohol prevents molecular aggregation and crystallization of phytosterol under adverse storage conditions (low temperature and high humidity), thereby maintaining storage stability while preserving physiological activity.
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation preemptively incorporates free type triterpene alcohol to cushion against the harmful effects of storage conditions. This protective agent is included in advance to prevent crystallization and degradation that would otherwise occur during storage, ensuring long-term stability without compromising the physiological effects.
3Reliability
If phytosterol is used in high concentration, then cholesterol-lowering action is enhanced, but crystallization increases reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
Free type triterpene alcohol acts as a solubilizing intermediary that enables high concentrations of phytosterol (0.2-3 mass%) to remain dissolved in the edible fat or oil. The triterpene alcohol interferes with the crystallization process at the molecular level, allowing the phytosterol to maintain high concentration without forming crystals, thus maximizing cholesterol-lowering effectiveness.
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 composition achieves high solubility and stability of phytosterols, particularly β-sitosterol, preventing crystallization even under adverse storage conditions, thereby maintaining effective physiological effects.
Implementation Method 1
a content mass ratio of the free type triterpene alcohol (A) to the free type phytosterol (B), [(A)/(B)], is 0.9 or more
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a fat or oil composition, comprising the following components (A) and (B) : (A) 0.4 to 6 mass% of a free type triterpene alcohol; and (B) 0.2 to 3 mass% of a free type phytosterol containing 20 mass% or more of β-sitosterol, in which a content mass ratio of the free type triterpene alcohol (A) to the free type phytosterol (B), [(A)/(B)], is 0.9 or more.