Lycopene Micro-Capsule Powder Using Enzymatic Gelatin Hydrolysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Lycopene micro-capsule powders prepared by existing methods often exhibit poor color and stability due to oxidation, light sensitivity, and the use of toxic solvents, limiting their application in functional products.
Innovation Solution
A method involving enzymatic hydrolysis of gelatin to reduce molecular weight, combined with disaccharides and polysaccharides, and natural antioxidants in an aqueous phase, followed by spray drying to create lycopene micro-capsules with improved color and stability, using a nano-grinder to achieve optimal particle size and mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional gelatin encapsulation is used, then lycopene micro-capsules can be formed, but the product exhibits dark color tone and poor color quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of gelatin from conventional high molecular weight (15000-250000 Da) to low molecular weight (5000-10000 Da) through enzymatic hydrolysis. This parameter change transforms the dense spatial network structure into a looser structure that allows better light transmission, thereby improving color brightness while maintaining encapsulation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite wall material system combining low molecular weight gelatin with disaccharides (such as sucrose or maltose) and polysaccharides (such as pullulan or chitosan). This composite structure provides both encapsulation stability and improved optical properties, achieving good color quality while protecting lycopene.
2Adaptability or versatility
If lycopene is exposed to environmental factors, then it can be used in functional products, but it undergoes oxidation and degradation by light, heat and oxygen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible micro-capsule shell formed by the gelatin-based wall material that encloses lycopene particles. This thin film structure provides physical barrier protection against oxygen and light while maintaining the adaptability for various functional product applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces antioxidants as intermediary substances within the wall material composition. These antioxidants act as mediators that actively prevent oxidation of lycopene by scavenging free radicals, thereby enhancing stability without limiting application scope.
3Manufacturing precision
If toxic solvents are used in preparation, then lycopene can be fully dissolved and homogenized, but the product may cause harm to the human body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces persistent toxic solvents with edible, biodegradable wall materials composed of gelatin, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. These food-grade materials provide the necessary dissolution and homogenization functions without leaving harmful residues, making the product safe for human consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and composition parameters of the wall material from synthetic solvent systems to natural polymer-based systems. This parameter change enables homogenization through enzymatic hydrolysis and physical mixing rather than chemical dissolution in toxic solvents.
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 method results in lycopene micro-capsule powder with a brighter, more vivid cherry red color and high stability to light, heat, and free radicals, maintaining over 97% lycopene content and color after one year, while being environmentally friendly and cost-effective for large-scale production.
Implementation Method 1
enzymatic hydrolysis of gelatin could decrease the molecular weight of gelatin
Implementation Method 2
adding protease under conditions of 55 to 65° C. and pH value of 7.5 to 8.5 for enzymatic hydrolysis
Implementation Method 3
lycopene is encapsulated in the wall material composed of the components
Implementation Method 4
Micro-capsule technology can improve the stability of lycopene by effectively reducing the reaction of active substances to external environmental factors
Implementation Method 5
grinding the emulsion to a particle size of less than 1 μm
Implementation Method 6
spray drying
Implementation Method 7
lycopene shows more significant effects in treatment and prevention of a variety of chronic diseases... lycopene has strong resistance to oxidation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a method for preparing a lycopene micro-capsule powder, wherein lycopene is fully mixed with an aqueous phase to obtain a lycopene emulsion, and the emulsion is then ground to a particle size less than 1 μm, and spray dried. The aqueous phase comprises: a gelatin enzymatic hydrolysate with a molecular weight of 5,000-10,000 Da, disaccharide, polysaccharide, and an antioxidant. The disaccharide is one or more of sucrose, maltose and lactose; and the polysaccharide is one or more of pullulan and chitosan.