Levulinic Acid Ester Thickening Surfactant Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a demand for thickening agents in cosmetic applications based on renewable raw materials, as existing non-ionic low-molecular weight thickeners often rely on petrochemical materials.
Innovation Solution
The use of fatty alcohol esters of levulinic acid, which are accessible through fermentation and plant-derived oils, combined with a water-soluble salt to increase the viscosity of surfactant compositions, providing a composition comprising water, a surfactant, and an ester of levulinic acid with a fatty alcohol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If non-ionic low-molecular weight thickeners (e.g., fatty alcohol ethoxylates) are used to increase viscosity, then the thickening effect is achieved, but the raw materials are based on petrochemical sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by replacing petrochemical-based thickeners with levulinic acid esters derived from renewable fermentation processes. This substitution maintains the thickening function while eliminating petrochemical dependency, directly resolving the contradiction between achieving viscosity and avoiding petrochemical materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs levulinic acid esters which are produced through fermentation of renewable resources, providing a sustainable, short-living alternative to persistent petrochemical thickeners. This approach allows for renewable resource utilization while maintaining effective thickening performance.
2Quantity of substance
If salts (e.g., sodium chloride) are added to increase thickening effect, then maximum thickening is achieved at specific concentration, but the thickening effect decreases if salt concentration is increased further
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite thickening system combining levulinic acid esters with salts. This composite approach produces a synergistic effect where the levulinic acid ester enhances the thickening capability of the salt, allowing for stable high viscosity at lower salt concentrations and avoiding the thickening decrease that occurs with excessive salt addition.
3Quantity of substance
If traditional thickeners are used to achieve desired viscosity, then the viscosity is increased, but the formulation lacks antimicrobial properties and mildness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by selecting levulinic acid esters that simultaneously provide three functions: thickening (viscosity increase), antimicrobial protection, and mildness for cosmetic applications. This single compound replaces multiple separate ingredients (thickener + preservative + mildness agent) used in traditional formulations, directly resolving the contradiction between achieving viscosity and obtaining antimicrobial properties.
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 solution achieves higher viscosities than traditional thickeners like Arlypon F, while being mild and antimicrobial, and is based on renewable resources, offering improved thickening and cleansing properties for cosmetic formulations.
Implementation Method 1
at least one ester of levulinic acid with a fatty alcohol, in particular levulinic acid hexyl ester, for increasing the viscosity of a composition comprising water and at least one surfactant
Implementation Method 2
The combination of levulinic acid hexyl ester with amphoteric surfactants is disclosed... levulinic acid esters have a thickening effect. No synergistic thickening together with salts is disclosed
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a composition comprising water, at least one surfactant, at least one ester of levulinic acid with a fatty alcohol and a water-soluble salt. Furthermore the present invention relates to the use of at least one ester of levulinic acid with a fatty alcohol for increasing the viscosity of a composition comprising water and at least one surfactant.