Glycolipid and Triethyl Citrate Composition for Acidic pH Foaming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rhamnolipids exhibit decreased foaming ability at pH levels commonly used in cosmetic formulations (below pH 7), and existing additives like non-ionic surfactants and alkoxylated carboxylic acid esters have drawbacks such as nitrosamine traces and 1,4-dioxane formation.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising glycolipids, specifically rhamnolipids, glucolipids, and sophorolipids, combined with triethyl citrate, at a weight ratio of 5:1 to 20:1, and a pH of 4.5 to 7.0, enhances foaming properties and stability, particularly at acidic pH levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional methods (heating, stirring, ultrasonic treatment, use of catalysts or solvents) are used to incorporate phospholipids into lipid particles, then phospholipid incorporation can be achieved, but the process becomes complex, requires additional equipment, and may cause phospholipid degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephospholipid incorporationVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the need for complex conventional methods (heating, stirring, ultrasonic treatment, catalysts, solvents) by using a novel spray drying approach that incorporates phospholipids into lipid particles without these additional processes, thereby simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining reliable phospholipid incorporation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses spray drying as an intermediary process that enables phospholipid incorporation into lipid particles through a controlled atomization and rapid drying mechanism, avoiding the need for direct thermal or mechanical treatment that would require complex equipment and could degrade the phospholipids

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional methods are used to incorporate phospholipids into lipid particles, then phospholipid incorporation can be achieved, but phospholipid degradation occurs due to heat, mechanical stress, catalysts, or solvents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephospholipid incorporationVSAvoidphospholipid degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the potential harm of heat and mechanical stress into a benefit by using controlled spray drying conditions where rapid atomization and immediate drying prevent degradation, while the brief exposure to heat actually facilitates efficient solvent removal and particle formation without damaging the phospholipids

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention rushes through the phospholipid incorporation process in a single rapid spray drying step, minimizing the time phospholipids are exposed to potentially degrading conditions such as heat, mechanical stress, or chemical agents, thereby achieving incorporation while preventing degradation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Reliability

If phospholipids are incorporated into lipid particles using conventional methods, then lipid particles can be formed, but the process is time-consuming and requires multiple steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelipid particle formationVSAvoidprocess time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple conventional steps (phospholipid dissolution, lipid particle formation, and phospholipid incorporation) into a single integrated spray drying process, where all components are mixed and processed together in one continuous operation, significantly reducing process time while ensuring reliable lipid particle formation with incorporated phospholipids

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention performs preliminary mixing of phospholipids with the lipid mixture before spray drying, ensuring uniform distribution and readiness for immediate incorporation during the rapid drying process, which eliminates the need for subsequent incorporation steps and reduces overall process time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 achieves excellent foaming properties, high foam volume, low viscosity, good skin and hair cleansing, and improved solubilization of essential oils, while being mild and microbiologically stable, with reduced dependency on pH.

Implementation Method 1

The spray dryer is used to dry the mixture composition. The spray dryer comprises a drying chamber, a feed system, a atomizer, and a heating system. The atomizer converts the mixture composition into droplets or spray. The heating system heats the drying chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP4117616B1Mixture composition comprising glycolipids and triethyl citrate
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 EVONIK OPERATIONS GMBH
  • EP4117616B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4117616B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4117616B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The instant invention relates to a composition comprising Glycolipids and Triethyl Citrate (TEC).