MEL and PGPR Emulsifier for Low Viscosity Water-in-Oil Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current emulsifier systems for water-in-oil emulsions, such as those using silicone oils and PEGs, are unstable, environmentally harmful, and pose health risks, necessitating the development of biodegradable and non-toxic alternatives that can achieve low viscosity and stable emulsions with reduced particle sizes at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.

Innovation Solution

The use of mannosylerythritol lipids (MEL) as a co-emulsifier in combination with polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) to stabilize water-in-oil emulsions, achieving low viscosity and fine particle sizes while being environmentally friendly and non-toxic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If silicone oils and PEGs are used as emulsifiers to stabilize water-in-oil emulsions, then emulsion stability is improved, but environmental harm and health risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsion stabilityVSAvoidenvironmental harm and health risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing silicone-based and PEG-based emulsifiers with plant-derived alternatives (sunflower lecithin and squalane), transforming the emulsion system from synthetic to natural while maintaining stability functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adopts biodegradable plant-derived emulsifiers that can be naturally degraded, replacing persistent synthetic emulsifiers. This allows the system to use environmentally benign, short-lived natural substances instead of long-lasting harmful chemicals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If conventional emulsifier systems are used to achieve low viscosity, then sprayability is improved, but emulsion stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesprayabilityVSAvoidemulsion stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite emulsifier system combining sunflower lecithin (emulsifying agent) and squalane (oil phase component), where the synergistic interaction between these two plant-derived substances provides both low viscosity for sprayability and enhanced stability, overcoming the limitations of single conventional emulsifiers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Quantity of substance

If high aqueous phase content is used in water-in-oil emulsions, then emulsion functionality is improved, but stability becomes more difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaqueous phase contentVSAvoidemulsion stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the HLB (Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance) parameters by using sunflower lecithin with appropriate HLB characteristics, enabling the formulation of stable water-in-oil emulsions with high aqueous phase content (up to 80-90%) that would be impossible with conventional emulsifiers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3681466B1Emulsifying combination for obtaining low viscosity water-in-oil emulsions

Publication Date: 2023.12.20 OLEON NV

AI summary

The present invention relates to an emulsifying combination, a composition comprising this combination, and the use of this emulsifying combination in small quantities to obtain a low viscosity water-in-oil emulsion.