Gel Composition Production via Room Temperature Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing gel compositions using galactose-partial degradation products of galactoxyloglucan require cooling the aqueous solvent, leading to high viscosity and difficulty in handling, with issues of undissolved lumps and air bubbles, making the process labor-intensive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Mixing the galactose-partial degradation product with an aqueous solvent at room temperature to achieve dispersion without lumps, followed by cooling or freezing to create a hydrated swollen state, which reduces viscosity and allows for easy gelation upon heating, eliminating the need for pre-cooling the solvent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the aqueous solvent is cooled before mixing with galactose-partial degradation product, then the dissolution time is shortened, but the mixture viscosity becomes excessively high causing handling difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the aqueous solvent from cooled (conventional method) to room temperature (20-25°C). This parameter change prevents excessive viscosity development while still allowing complete dissolution, thereby resolving the contradiction between dissolution time and handling ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by adding the galactose-partial degradation product to the aqueous solvent at room temperature before any cooling occurs. This sequence prevents the polysaccharide from encountering cold solvent that would cause rapid viscosity increase, allowing easy mixing followed by controlled cooling for gelation.
2Loss of time
If the aqueous solvent is cooled before mixing, then dissolution proceeds faster, but undissolved lumps form in the mixture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from cooled to room temperature during the mixing phase. This ensures complete dissolution of the galactose-partial degradation product without forming undissolved lumps, while still achieving relatively fast dissolution kinetics appropriate for room temperature conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the dissolution action preliminarily at room temperature before cooling the mixture. This sequence ensures that the polysaccharide is completely dissolved in the aqueous solvent under favorable temperature conditions, preventing lump formation that would occur if cooling were applied first.
3Loss of time
If the aqueous solvent is cooled before mixing, then the dissolution process is accelerated, but air bubbles are easily entrained in the mixture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter to room temperature during mixing, which reduces the solubility of air in the aqueous solvent compared to cooled conditions. This parameter change prevents air bubble entrainment while maintaining efficient dissolution of the galactose-partial degradation product.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs mixing and dissolution at room temperature before cooling, avoiding the condition where cold solvent would trap air bubbles. The preliminary action of dissolving at warmer temperature prevents bubble entrapment, and subsequent cooling occurs after the mixture is homogeneous and free of air bubbles.
4Loss of time
If the aqueous solvent is cooled before mixing with galactose-partial degradation product, then dissolution is faster, but the preparation process becomes more labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from cooled to room temperature, eliminating the need for energy-consuming cooling equipment and operations. This simplifies the manufacturing process while still achieving efficient dissolution, thereby improving ease of manufacture without sacrificing dissolution speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the dissolution action preliminarily at room temperature, which is the natural state of the aqueous solvent, before any cooling or gelation steps. This eliminates the need for pre-cooling operations, reducing labor and equipment requirements while maintaining effective dissolution.
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 method simplifies the production process by avoiding high viscosity and lumps, facilitating easier handling and gel formation, while reducing preparation time and labor, resulting in a more efficient and effective gel composition production.
Implementation Method 1
water in the aqueous solvent causes the polysaccharide to first hydrate and swell
Implementation Method 2
cooling or freezing the mixture having such a low viscosity causes the galactose-partial degradation product to be easily brought into a state where it is not dissolved but is easy to hydrate and swell
Implementation Method 3
gelling the dispersion liquid cooled or frozen in step (2) by heating to obtain a gel composition
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Provided is a production method for a gel composition including steps (1) to (3) mentioned below: step (1) of mixing at room temperature a partial degradation product of the galactose moiety of galactoxyloglucan and an aqueous solvent to obtain a mixture; step (2) of cooling or freezing the mixture obtained in step (1); and step (3) of gelling the mixture cooled or frozen in step (2) by heating to obtain a gel composition that includes the galactose-partial degradation product.