Microbial Microcapsule Encapsulation via High Surface Tension Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for producing microbial microcapsules struggle to incorporate hydrophobic components effectively, resulting in low encapsulation percentages.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the mixing of a hydrophobic component with a surface tension above 33.6 mN/m and a microorganism, at a mass ratio of the hydrophobic component to the microorganism's dry mass of 2 or higher, to achieve a higher encapsulation percentage of hydrophobic components within the microorganism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional methods are used to produce microbial microcapsules, then the production process is simple, but the encapsulation percentage of hydrophobic components is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveencapsulation percentage of hydrophobic componentVSAvoidmixing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes critical parameters of the mixing process: setting the mass ratio of hydrophobic component to microorganism dry mass at 2:1 or higher, and controlling the mixing time at 1 hour or more. These parameter adjustments enable significant improvement in encapsulation percentage while maintaining process simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention performs preliminary mixing of the hydrophobic component and microorganism under specific conditions before final encapsulation. This preliminary action ensures thorough incorporation of the hydrophobic component into the microorganism structure, achieving high encapsulation percentages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If the mass ratio of hydrophobic component to microorganism dry mass is increased, then the encapsulation percentage improves, but the mixing time and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveencapsulation percentageVSAvoidmixing energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the mass ratio parameter to 2:1 or higher while simultaneously controlling mixing time to 1 hour or more. This parameter optimization achieves high encapsulation percentages while managing energy consumption through efficient mixing duration control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 allows for the encapsulation of hydrophobic components at a significantly higher percentage, enhancing the efficiency of microbial microcapsule production and their potential applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and agricultural uses.

Implementation Method 1

a hydrophobic component having a surface tension above 33.6 mN/m at 25° C.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 2

mixing (A) a hydrophobic component having a surface tension above 33.6 mN/m at 25° C. and (B) a microorganism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic interaction: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS20240050915A1Microbial microcapsule and method for producing same

Publication Date: 2024.02.15 KAO CORP

AI summary

A method for producing a microbial microcapsule, including, mixing a (A) hydrophobic component having a surface tension above 33.6 mN/m at 25° C. and a microorganism (B) for 3 hours or more. The mixing is carried out under a condition that a mass ratio of the (A) hydrophobic component to a dry mass of the microorganism (B), [(A)/(B)], is above 2.