Nutraceutical Particles With Low Water Activity and Residual Solvent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nutraceutical compositions face challenges with high residual solvent content, high water activity leading to rapid degradation, and incompatibility with probiotics, resulting in limited utility and stability issues.
Innovation Solution
Development of nutraceutical particle preparations with low residual solvent content and low water activity, utilizing pH- and temperature-responsive polymers to ensure stability and controlled release, enabling compatibility with probiotics and other components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional nutraceutical compositions are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but residual solvent content increases and water activity increases leading to rapid degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical and chemical parameters of the nutraceutical composition, specifically reducing water activity to below 0.3 and residual solvent content to below 1000 ppm. This is achieved through controlled drying processes and selection of appropriate excipients that maintain stability while enabling manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining nutraceutical agents with specific excipients and carriers to create a stable particle preparation. The composite formulation includes water-soluble and fat-soluble excipients in specific ratios, creating a material that maintains low water activity and residual solvent content while remaining manufacturable.
2Ease of operation
If high water activity is present in nutraceutical compositions, then ease of processing is improved, but degradation occurs rapidly reducing shelf-life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the water activity parameter from high (ease of processing) to low (below 0.3, extending shelf-life). This is achieved through controlled drying and selection of hygroscopic excipients that maintain low water activity while allowing for proper processing during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces water-soluble and fat-soluble excipients as intermediaries that mediate between the nutraceutical agent and the environment. These excipients create a protective matrix that maintains low water activity and prevents degradation while allowing the formulation to be processed during manufacturing.
3Device complexity
If conventional formulations are used, then compatibility with water-active-sensitive agents like probiotics is poor, but formulation simplicity is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the water activity parameter to below 0.3, creating conditions that are compatible with probiotics. This low water activity environment prevents degradation of probiotics while maintaining a relatively simple formulation structure that does not require complex protective mechanisms.
4Reliability
If particle preparations with low water activity are developed, then stability and probiotic compatibility are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves low water activity (below 0.3) through controlled drying parameters and selection of appropriate excipients. This parameter change enhances stability and probiotic compatibility while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through established drying and formulation techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a low water activity environment specifically within the particle preparation while maintaining overall formulation simplicity. The excipient matrix is designed to locally reduce water activity at the nutraceutical-probiotic interface without requiring complex manufacturing processes.
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 preparations provide enhanced stability, controlled release, and compatibility with probiotics, maintaining payload integrity under various environmental conditions, including low water activity and acidic environments.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer component is or comprises a pH-responsive polymer component... Rapid release of payload component (e.g., nutraceutical payload component... ) in acidic conditions (e.g., the stomach)
Implementation Method 2
They are characterized by low water activity... Stability enhancement for payload component (e.g., nutraceutical payload component... ) in water, light, increased temperature, and oxidative environments
Implementation Method 3
Stability enhancement for payload component... in oxidative environments... enhanced protection from light, heat, water, and/or oxidation
Implementation Method 4
Stability in aqueous liquids (e.g., water, milk, etc.), even of payload components that otherwise show low water solubility or are insoluble in water... stability of particles and payload in, or as, a dry powder against heat, light, water, and/or oxidation
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are compositions and methods for storage and delivery of a nutraceutical (e.g., lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin, macronutrient, probiotics) with one or more of the following advantages: 1) low organic solvent content; 2) low water activity; 3) selective release based on pH; 4) improved shelf-life and resistance to degradation; and 5) improved compatibility with other nutraceutical products; 6) stability in an aqueous liquid (e.g., at ambient temperature and/or at boiling temperatures); 7) enhanced protection from light; and 8) tunable properties including size, loading, dose, interactions with the surrounding environment, and release conditions.