Fat-Soluble Dye Emulsification in Aqueous Food Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food colorings, particularly fat-soluble carotenoids, are insoluble in water, making it difficult to achieve intense coloration in aqueous beverages due to limited emulsification and stabilization in water-containing foods.

Innovation Solution

Combining polyglycerol esters of fatty acids and citric acid esters of mono- and/or diglycerides as emulsifiers with starch sodium octenyl succinate as a stabilizer to create an oil-in-water emulsion that significantly increases the amount of fat-soluble dye that can be emulsified and stabilized in an aqueous system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If fat-soluble colorants are used in water-containing foods, then color saturation can be improved, but the solubility and dispersibility in water deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor saturationVSAvoidsolubility in water
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses emulsifiers (polyglycerol esters of fatty acids and citric acid esters of mono- and/or diglycerides) as intermediary substances to bridge the fat-soluble colorants and water-containing food matrix. These emulsifiers form stable oil-in-water emulsions that allow fat-soluble colorants to be dispersed in aqueous systems, achieving both color saturation and water compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite emulsion system combining emulsifiers, stabilizers (starch sodium octenyl succinate), and fat-soluble colorants. This composite material approach allows the colorants to be incorporated into a stable aqueous formulation through the synergistic interaction of multiple components, resolving the solubility contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Illumination intensity

If emulsifiers and stabilizers are added to achieve colloidal distribution of dye particles, then color saturation can be improved, but the amount of emulsifier and stabilizer required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor saturationVSAvoidamount of emulsifier and stabilizer
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of emulsifiers and stabilizers to achieve effective color saturation with minimal amounts. By carefully controlling the ratios and concentrations of polyglycerol esters, citric acid esters, and starch sodium octenyl succinate, the formulation achieves maximum color intensity while minimizing the quantity of auxiliary substances required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If fat-soluble colorants are finely distributed in aqueous beverage, then color saturation can be improved, but the stability and permanence of the distribution deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor saturationVSAvoidstability of distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The emulsifiers act as intermediary substances that form stable interfaces between the fat-soluble colorant droplets and the aqueous phase. This intermediary layer prevents coalescence and maintains long-term stability of the fine distribution, allowing both high color saturation and permanent stabilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The combination of emulsifiers and stabilizers creates a composite system where the emulsifiers form the initial emulsion structure and the stabilizers (starch sodium octenyl succinate) provide long-term stability. This composite approach ensures both fine distribution and permanent stabilization of the colorants in aqueous systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

This combination allows for a two to four times higher loading of fat-soluble dyes like carotenoids in water-dispersible formulations, achieving better color saturation in foods such as beverages and yoghurt products.

Implementation Method 1

the effect of the emulsifier in the oil-in-water emulsion containing dye is not eliminated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmulsion: Emulsion

Implementation Method 2

polyglycerol esters of fatty acids (EC number E-475) and citric acid esters of mono- and/or diglycerides of fatty acids (EC number E-472 c) are emulsifiers approved for use in food

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

the amount of fat-soluble dye in an aqueous system is emulsified and stabilized can be significantly increased

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStabilization:

Data Source

PatentEP1875814B2Composition for foodstuff
Publication Date: 2015.06.24 SENSIENT COLORS EURO

AI summary

Food composition comprises a fat-soluble colorant (I) dispersed in a lipid-based carrier, starch sodium octenyl succinate (II), and an edible fatty acid polyglycerol ester (IIIa) and/or an edible fatty acid mono/diglyceride citrate (IIIb). An independent claim is also included for producing a composition as above by providing (I) in an oil phase and admixing (II) and (IIIa) and/or (IIIb).