Fatty Acid Ester Coatings from Crosslinked Polyesters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Agricultural products are susceptible to degradation due to abiotic and biotic stressors, and conventional methods like refrigeration and special packaging are costly, require active management, and can cause damage, while natural plant cuticles vary in protection efficacy.

Innovation Solution

A method to prepare fatty acid esters from crosslinked polyesters, such as cutin, by treating them with an acid and alcohol at elevated temperatures to form a protective coating directly on agricultural products.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If refrigeration is used to prevent degradation of agricultural products, then protection against biotic stressors and environmental degradation is improved, but capital costs and energy expenditure increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against degradationVSAvoidenergy expenditure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cutin-derived fatty acid esters form a self-healing, self-assembling protective coating on the agricultural product surface. The coating spontaneously reorganizes to maintain barrier integrity without requiring external energy input or active management, providing passive protection against water loss, oxidation, and biotic stressors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses naturally derived cutin from plant waste materials as a renewable, cost-effective alternative to expensive refrigeration infrastructure. The coating is applied as a disposable protective layer that degrades naturally after serving its protective function, eliminating ongoing energy costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If special packaging is used to protect agricultural products, then protection against degradation is improved, but packaging material consumption and transportation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against degradationVSAvoidpackaging material

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The fatty acid ester coating performs multiple protective functions simultaneously: it acts as a physical barrier against mechanical damage, a chemical barrier against oxidation and water loss, and a biological barrier against fungi and bacteria. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate packaging materials for each protection type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The coating forms a thin, flexible film on the surface of agricultural products that conforms to product shape and provides protection without requiring rigid packaging structures. This thin film approach minimizes material consumption while maintaining protective efficacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If conventional handling and transportation are used, then productivity is maintained, but surface abrasion and bruising occur that reduce product quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling efficiencyVSAvoidsurface integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cutin-derived coating is applied to the product surface before handling and transportation, creating a protective cushion layer that absorbs mechanical stresses and prevents direct contact between the product surface and handling equipment or other products, thereby preventing abrasion and bruising.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Adaptability or versatility

If natural plant cuticles are used for protection, then no additional materials are needed, but protection efficacy varies by plant species and organ

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenatural variationVSAvoidprotection efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts fatty acids from cutin and converts them to esters with modified physical and chemical properties. This parameter change allows the protective agents to be applied uniformly across different plant species and organs, overcoming the limitations of natural cutin variability while maintaining the benefits of natural derivation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method provides a cost-effective, passive protection against biotic stressors and environmental degradation without refrigeration, extending shelf life and reducing packaging needs.

Implementation Method 1

treating the crosslinked polyester with an acid concurrently with an alcohol, at a temperature above 78 °C up to 120 °C

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDepolymerization:

Implementation Method 2

treating the crosslinked polyester with an acid concurrently with an alcohol to form a protective coating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEsterification:

Implementation Method 3

at a temperature above 78 °C up to 120 °C

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 4

form a protective coating directly on agricultural products

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoating: Coatings

Data Source

PatentEP3541192B1Methods of preparing fatty acid esters from crosslinked polyesters

Publication Date: 2025.06.25 APEEL TECH

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Figure 2A~2B
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AI summary

Embodiments described herein relate generally to plant extract compositions and methods to isolate fatty acid esters derived from crosslinked polyesters. Particular embodiments are directed to methods of preparing compositions of fatty acid esters by treating crosslinked polyesters or other crosslinked networks with an acid and an alcohol.