Fibrous Dextrin Particles for Moisture Dispersibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current thickeners containing dextrin particles prepared by the spray dry method have poor dispersibility in moisture, making them less effective in preventing aspiration during swallowing disorders, while those prepared by the drum dry method are expensive.

Innovation Solution

Preparation of fibrous dextrin particles through spray drying a highly viscous dextrin solution, which improves the dispersibility of thickeners in moisture, reducing production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dextrin particles are prepared by the drum dry method, then dispersibility in moisture is improved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedispersibilityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the key parameter of solution viscosity to a specific range (10-1000 mPa·s) to enable spray drying to produce particles with fibrous morphology that achieves dispersibility comparable to drum-dried products. This parameter optimization allows the use of the cheaper spray drying method while maintaining the dispersibility performance previously only achievable through expensive drum drying.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If dextrin particles are prepared by the spray dry method, then production cost decreases, but dispersibility in moisture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoiddispersibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the viscosity parameter of the dextrin solution within a specific range (10-1000 mPa·s) before spray drying. This parameter control transforms the spray-dried particles into a fibrous morphology that significantly improves dispersibility compared to conventional spray-dried spherical particles, thereby achieving low production cost without sacrificing dispersibility performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention makes the dispersibility performance of spray-dried particles equivalent to that of drum-dried particles by controlling the solution viscosity and resulting fibrous morphology. This creates equipotentiality between the two methods, allowing selection of the cheaper spray drying process while achieving the same functional performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

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 fibrous dextrin particles enhance the dispersibility and solubility of xanthan gum, preventing lumps and improving the texture of liquid foods, making them easier to swallow and safer for individuals with swallowing difficulties, while maintaining stability across temperature changes.

Implementation Method 1

spray drying a highly viscous, aqueous dextrin solution with a spray dryer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3572436B1Highly dispersible dextrin and production method therefor
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 NUTRI CO LTD
  • EP3572436B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3572436B1 patent drawingFigure 2-1
  • EP3572436B1 patent drawingFigure 2-2~3

AI summary

The present invention provides dextrin particles at a low cost which may be used as a component of thickeners that are good in dispersibility in moisture, etc. Fibrous dextrin particles. A thickener comprising the fibrous dextrin particles. A food comprising the fibrous dextrin particles. A method of preparing fibrous dextrin particles, comprising spray drying a dextrin solution with a viscosity of 100 mPa·s or more.