Levulinic Acid Preservative System for Broad pH Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Personal care and cosmetic products face challenges in protecting against bacterial and fungal growth due to the limitations of traditional preservatives, particularly organic acids, which are ineffective against bacteria and lose efficacy in alkaline or neutral environments, necessitating a broad-spectrum preservative that is chemically and physically stable across a wide pH range.
Innovation Solution
A composition combining levulinic acid or its salts with benzoic acid and sorbic acid, along with aromatic alcohols like phenoxyethanol, phenylpropanol, or benzyl alcohol, which provides enhanced antibacterial and antifungal protection across a pH range of 1.0 to 7.0, even at lower use levels, and maintains stability in the presence of water and alcohols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional organic acid preservatives (benzoic acid, sorbic acid) are used, then antifungal protection is provided and consumer acceptance is high, but antibacterial efficacy is poor and effectiveness is lost in alkaline or neutral environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines levulinic acid with benzoic acid and sorbic acid to create a composite preservative system. Levulinic acid serves as the primary antibacterial agent effective at higher pH levels, while benzoic acid and sorbic acid provide antifungal protection. This composite approach allows the preservative system to maintain broad-spectrum efficacy across a wider pH range (up to pH 7.0) than individual organic acids alone.
2Reliability
If organic acids are used to provide broad-spectrum protection, then consumer acceptance increases due to natural perception, but use level must be high to achieve effectiveness against bacteria
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges levulinic acid with benzoic acid and sorbic acid in a synergistic combination. Levulinic acid provides strong antibacterial activity at lower concentrations compared to traditional organic acids, while the combination with benzoic acid and sorbic acid extends broad-spectrum coverage. This merging allows effective broad-spectrum protection at lower overall use levels while maintaining consumer acceptance of natural ingredients.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If traditional preservatives are used to protect products throughout their life cycle, then protection against bacterial and fungal growth is achieved, but the number of approved preservatives is decreasing due to regulatory restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes levulinic acid, which has gained regulatory acceptance in recent years as a safer alternative to traditional preservatives. By changing the chemical parameter from conventional organic acids to levulinic acid-based formulations, the patent achieves both extended protection duration throughout the product life cycle and improved regulatory acceptance. The combination with benzoic acid and sorbic acid maintains broad-spectrum efficacy while adhering to modern regulatory standards.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a chemically and physically stable solution of levulinic acid, benzoic acid, and sorbic acids or their salts which is antimicrobially effective against bacteria and fungi. The solution provides improved antibacterial protection for personal care and cosmetic products at lower than expected levulinic acid levels and at desirable use levels.The composition may also include a solvent selected from the group of aromatic alcohols consisting of phenoxyethanol, phenylpropanol, phenylethanol, benzyl alcohol, and mixtures of these alcohols. These solvents extend the range of acidity over which the invention is capable of inhibiting bacterial and fungal growth.