Liquid Glycerol Formulation for Hydration Supplements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Glycerol-based 'pump' products in powder form face handling and storage issues due to hygroscopic properties, leading to clumping and dosing limitations, which restrict their therapeutic effectiveness as pre-workout or pump supplements.
Innovation Solution
A stable liquid formulation of glycerol is developed by micronizing it using a high shear pump or homogenizer and combining it with emulsifying agents like agar, albumin, or lecithin, which forms a stable emulsion that retains hydration properties and can be enhanced with ingredients like creatine, caffeine, and sodium nitrate for improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If glycerol is used in powder form, then it can be stored and handled as a supplement, but it causes clumping and storage issues due to hygroscopic properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of glycerol from powder to liquid form. This parameter change eliminates the hygroscopic clumping issue inherent to powdered glycerol while maintaining its hygroscopic and performance benefits. The liquid formulation allows for stable storage and easy handling without the clumping problems that plague powder-based glycerol supplements.
2Quantity of substance
If glycerol concentration is increased to achieve therapeutic dosing, then performance benefits improve, but powder clumping increases and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from powder to liquid form, enabling the delivery of higher glycerol concentrations (therapeutic dosing) without the clumping and handling difficulties that occur when increasing powder concentration. The liquid medium allows for uniform distribution and easy measurement of high-dose glycerol formulations.
3Quantity of substance
If glycerol is used in powder form, then it can be formulated as a supplement, but the total amount is limited resulting in sub-therapeutic dosing
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid formulation enables the delivery of higher glycerol doses that achieve therapeutic effectiveness. Unlike powder formulations that are limited by clumping and handling constraints, the liquid form can accommodate the higher concentrations needed for reliable therapeutic results while maintaining stability and ease of use.
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 liquid formulation overcomes storage and dosing issues, providing enhanced hydration and performance by maintaining glycerol's hygroscopic properties, ensuring better absorption and compatibility as a pre-workout or pump product.
Implementation Method 1
processing glycerol to micronize the glycerol in solution, thereby increasing homogeneity of the glycerol in solution
Implementation Method 2
combining the glycerol in solution with one or more emulsifying agents. The one or more emulsifying agents may be selected from the group comprising: agar, albumin, alginates, casein, egg yolk, glycerol monostearate, gums, animal fat, vegetable oil, lecithin, soy lecithin, and sunflower lecithin
Implementation Method 3
Liquid glycerol according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided in a ready-to-drink serving or as a pump shot... retaining the hygroscopic properties of the glycerol and increasing hydration
Data Source
AI summary
Glycerol may be placed into liquid form and consumed as a pre-workout or pump product to increase hydration during exercise. Liquid-based glycerol products may embrace the hygroscopic properties associated with glycerol by delivering glycerol in a liquid form that is more compatible and complementary to these physical properties. A liquid suspension of a glycerol-based product may overcome the hygroscopic disadvantages experienced with glycerol when provided in a powder form, chiefly poor mixing, instability during storage, shipping or packaging, as well as dosing limitations.