Licorice Polyphenol Preparation Auto-Emulsification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing licorice polyphenol preparations face challenges with dispersibility, transparency, heat resistance, and acid resistance when used in aqueous substances, requiring complex processes like high-pressure treatment to achieve transparency.
Innovation Solution
A stable licorice polyphenol preparation is achieved by combining hydrophobic licorice extract with medium-chain fatty acid triglyceride and polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, forming an auto-emulsified microemulsion upon contact with water, which maintains transparency and bioavailability without high-pressure treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrophobic licorice extract is used in aqueous substances, then bioavailability is improved, but dispersibility and transparency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses medium-chain fatty acid triglyceride as an intermediary substance to dissolve hydrophobic licorice components (flavonoids and polyphenols) that cannot be directly dissolved in water. This intermediary carrier enables the hydrophobic components to be delivered in aqueous environments, resolving the contradiction between bioavailability and dispersibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite preparation system combining hydrophobic licorice extract, medium-chain fatty acid triglyceride, and optional emulsifying agents. This composite structure allows the hydrophobic components to be stabilized in aqueous environments while maintaining their bioavailability, simultaneously achieving both dispersibility and bioavailability.
2Reliability
If hydrophobic licorice extract is used in aqueous substances, then bioavailability is improved, but transparency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The medium-chain fatty acid triglyceride acts as a transparent intermediary medium that dissolves hydrophobic licorice components without causing turbidity. This allows the preparation to maintain transparency while delivering bioavailable hydrophobic components, resolving the contradiction between bioavailability and transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the specific property of medium-chain fatty acid triglyceride to change the physical state of hydrophobic components from undissolved particles to dissolved molecules, transforming the preparation from opaque to transparent while maintaining bioavailability.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional emulsification methods are used to achieve transparency, then transparency is improved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs emulsifying agents that enable self-emulsification when the preparation contacts aqueous environments in the body. This self-service mechanism automatically achieves transparency and proper dispersion without requiring complex external emulsification equipment or high-pressure treatment processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The emulsifying agents are pre-incorporated into the preparation formulation, performing the emulsification function in advance. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex post-manufacturing emulsification processes, reducing device complexity while maintaining transparency.
4Illumination intensity
If high-pressure treatment is applied to achieve transparency, then transparency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The preparation formulation includes emulsifying agents that enable automatic emulsification upon contact with water in the body, achieving transparency without requiring high-pressure treatment equipment. This self-service mechanism simplifies manufacturing by eliminating complex high-pressure processing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the formulation parameters by incorporating specific emulsifying agents and medium-chain fatty acid triglyceride, which naturally provide transparency through dissolution and emulsification rather than requiring high-pressure mechanical treatment, thereby simplifying manufacturing.
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 preparation results in a highly concentrated, stable, and transparent emulsion with acid and heat resistance, enabling effective bioavailability and versatile application in food, medical, and cosmetic products.
Implementation Method 1
forming an auto-emulsified microemulsion upon contact with water
Implementation Method 2
forms a microemulsion by contacting with an aqueous medium
Implementation Method 3
combining hydrophobic licorice extract with medium-chain fatty acid triglyceride
Implementation Method 4
maintains transparency and bioavailability without high-pressure treatment
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a highly concentrated licorice polyphenol preparation with high bioavailability. Further, this invention is intended to maintain high transparency of a composition without deterioration of the indigenous properties of an aqueous substance, even when such composition is added thereto. Such licorice polyphenol preparation comprises a hydrophobic licorice extract comprising licorice polyphenol as a primary component, medium-chain fatty acid triglyceride, and polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester, and the ratio of the total weight of the hydrophobic licorice extract and medium-chain fatty acid triglyceride to the weight of polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester is between 1:1 and 1:10.