Encapsulated Mesoporous Silica for Ingredient Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for alternative methods to protect and control the release of ingredients in consumer care and food products, particularly in liquid environments, where existing methods fail to maintain stability and bioavailability of sensitive ingredients.
Innovation Solution
The use of encapsulated mesoporous microparticulate materials, where at least one ingredient is loaded into the pores of a mesoporous material and encapsulated with a capping layer, enhancing bioavailability and retention while allowing controlled release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ingredients are stored in liquid environments using conventional methods, then the product can be easily applied and distributed, but the stability and bioavailability of sensitive ingredients deteriorate due to degradation from light, oxygen, and humidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested encapsulation structure where mesoporous particles (containing the active ingredient) are enclosed within a silane coating layer, which itself is contained within a microcapsule shell. This multi-layer nested structure provides progressive protection against environmental factors while maintaining ingredient stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material structures combining organic and inorganic components: mesoporous silica particles provide structural framework and porosity, silane coatings provide chemical stability and surface modification, and polymer shells provide mechanical protection. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating multiple material properties for enhanced stability.
2Reliability
If ingredients are protected using encapsulation methods, then stability and bioavailability improve, but the complexity of the composition and manufacturing process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mesoporous particles are pre-synthesized with controlled pore structures and pre-loaded with active ingredients before encapsulation. The silane coating is applied in advance to modify surface properties. These preliminary actions simplify the final encapsulation step and reduce manufacturing complexity while ensuring ingredient stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes key parameters including pore size (2-50 nm), particle size (1-100 μm), and coating thickness to balance protection effectiveness with manufacturing feasibility. By controlling these parameters within specific ranges, the invention achieves high bioavailability while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized production parameters.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional stabilization methods are used, then the composition can be stored, but active ingredient loss exceeds 25% during storage due to degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The encapsulation structure provides preliminary protection against degradation mechanisms before storage begins. The mesoporous structure prevents direct contact between ingredients and degrading agents (oxygen, moisture), while the silane and polymer layers provide additional barriers. This preliminary anti-action reduces active ingredient loss to less than 25% during extended storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesoporous silica particles (pore size 2-50 nm) provide a controlled porous environment that protects ingredients while allowing selective molecular transport. The porous structure enables protection during storage by limiting access to degrading agents while maintaining ingredient integrity and preventing crystallization or aggregation.
4Speed
If ingredients are released quickly for immediate effect, then therapeutic or functional benefits are achieved rapidly, but the duration of action is insufficient for sustained protection
Solution Approach 1:
The encapsulation system provides dynamic release behavior where the release rate adapts to environmental conditions. The multi-layer structure allows rapid initial release when the outer shell is compromised, followed by sustained release from the mesoporous particles. This dynamic response resolves the contradiction between speed and duration by providing both immediate and prolonged action.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesoporous structure enables periodic release patterns where ingredients are released in controlled bursts or sustained rates over time. The porous network allows continuous diffusion while the encapsulation layers provide rate-limiting steps, creating a periodic or sustained release profile that maintains effective concentrations over extended periods rather than single rapid release.
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
This approach significantly improves the bioavailability and retention of ingredients, with less than 25% active ingredient loss during storage, and extended release profiles, particularly in liquid environments.
Implementation Method 1
the mesoporous microparticulate material is encapsulated by a capping layer
Implementation Method 2
at least some of the pores of the material are loaded with at least one ingredient
Implementation Method 3
mesoporous microparticulate material wherein at least some of the pores of the material are loaded
Data Source
AI summary
A consumer care composition or a food composition comprising a mesoporous microparticulate material wherein at least some of the pores of the material are loaded with at least one ingredient and the loaded mesoporous microparticulate material is encapsulated by a capping layer is described.