Insoluble Dietary Fiber Encapsulated in Prebiotic Gel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods fail to effectively reduce the digestive or absorptive rates and ratios of foods and drinks, leading to the absorption of undesired substances such as pesticides, alcohol, and heavy metals, which can harm the human body.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising insoluble dietary fiber encapsulated in a prebiotic gel is used to adsorb or encapsulate these substances, reducing their absorption by the body, with the insoluble dietary fiber and prebiotic gel present in specific weight ratios, and the composition can be in the form of microparticles or granules for efficient absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If dietary fiber is used to absorb harmful substances, then the absorption of harmful substances is reduced, but the digestive or absorptive rate of foods or drinks is not effectively reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption of harmful substancesVSAvoiddigestive or absorptive rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies nested doll by encapsulating insoluble dietary fiber particles within prebiotic gel matrices, creating a hierarchical structure where one material is embedded within another. This nested configuration allows the composition to simultaneously maintain structural integrity for controlling digestive rate while providing absorption capacity for harmful substances, thereby resolving the contradiction between reducing digestive rate and maintaining harmful substance absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining insoluble dietary fiber with prebiotic gel in a specific formulation. The composite structure leverages the adsorption properties of dietary fiber while the gel matrix controls the release rate and digestive kinetics. This composite approach enables both functions—slowing digestion and absorbing harmful substances—to occur simultaneously, addressing the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the digestive or absorptive rate is reduced to prevent absorption of harmful substances, then harmful substance absorption is reduced, but the effectiveness of the composition is limited without proper encapsulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption of harmful substancesVSAvoideffectiveness of composition
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-encapsulating the insoluble dietary fiber within the prebiotic gel matrix before administration. This preliminary encapsulation ensures that the fiber is positioned and protected in advance, enabling it to effectively interact with harmful substances as they pass through the digestive system. The pre-formed encapsulated structure guarantees reliable performance rather than relying on random mixing in the digestive tract.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If insoluble dietary fiber is used alone, then harmful substances can be absorbed, but the composition cannot effectively control the digestive or absorptive rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption of harmful substancesVSAvoiddigestive or absorptive rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses prebiotic gel as an intermediary material that mediates between the insoluble dietary fiber and the digestive environment. The gel matrix serves as a controlling interface that regulates the release rate and digestive kinetics while allowing the fiber component to perform its absorption function. This intermediary structure enables independent optimization of both absorption capacity and digestive rate control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively reduces the absorption of harmful substances, such as alcohol and sugar, by encapsulating them, thereby preventing their harmful effects on the body and potentially aiding in weight reduction and preventing intoxication.

Implementation Method 1

the fibers can be used to reduce digestive or absorptive rates and ratio of foods or drinks... substances contained therein are adsorbed by or encapsulated in the immobilized agent or the solidifying agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

substances contained therein are adsorbed by or encapsulated in the immobilized agent or the solidifying agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEncapsulation:

Data Source

PatentUS11484054B2Edible composition for reducing the digestion or absorption of the harmful/toxic substance
Publication Date: 2022.11.01 HSIN SHAOCHI

AI summary

The invention relates to compositions and methods for adjusting digestive or absorptive rates and ratio of foods or drinks or reducing a digestive solution. Particularly, the invention provides a composition comprising an insoluble dietary fiber and a prebiotic gel and its application in reducing digestive or absorptive rates and ratio of foods or drinks.