Microcapsule Coacervation Below Gelling Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial coacervation processes for microcapsule production are inefficient due to prolonged heating and cooling steps, energy expenditure, and potential degradation or loss of volatile and heat-sensitive materials, with existing methods often requiring extreme temperatures and toxic hardening agents.
Innovation Solution
A method for microencapsulating hydrophobic materials using coacervation at temperatures below the gelling temperature of the coacervate phase, with cross-linking by transglutaminase at 13-25°C and pH 4-6.5, allowing for room temperature or slightly above ambient processing, reducing energy consumption and minimizing material loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If coacervation is performed at temperatures above the gelling point, then wall formation is facilitated, but prolonged heating and cooling steps increase energy expenditure and process time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from above-gelling-point to below-gelling-point conditions. By performing coacervation at temperatures below the gelling point (e.g., 4-27°C depending on the colloid), the process eliminates prolonged heating and cooling steps while still enabling wall formation through coacervation, thus reducing energy expenditure without sacrificing manufacturability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by conducting coacervation at temperatures below rather than above the gelling point. This inversion allows the process to proceed without the need for extended heating phases, directly addressing the energy consumption issue while maintaining wall formation capability through the coacervation mechanism
2Ease of manufacture
If coacervation is performed at temperatures above the gelling point, then wall formation is facilitated, but heat-sensitive and volatile materials may degrade or be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter to below-gelling-point conditions (4-27°C), which creates a gentler thermal environment that prevents degradation and loss of heat-sensitive and volatile materials while still enabling effective wall formation through coacervation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the typically problematic below-gelling-point condition (which might be expected to hinder wall formation) into a beneficial condition by demonstrating that coacervation can proceed effectively at these temperatures, thereby protecting sensitive materials while maintaining manufacturability
3Reliability
If cross-linking is performed at elevated temperatures (30-50°C), then enzymatic activity of transglutaminase is optimized, but energy expenditure increases and process time extends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter for cross-linking from elevated temperatures (30-50°C) to below-gelling-point temperatures (4-27°C). By adjusting other parameters such as pH and incubation time, the patent maintains effective cross-linking efficiency while significantly reducing energy expenditure and process time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces flexibility in the cross-linking process by allowing temperature to be adjusted within a range (4-27°C) rather than fixed at a single optimal value. This dynamic approach enables optimization based on specific material properties and process requirements while reducing overall energy consumption
4Quantity of substance
If conventional coacervation processes are used, then microcapsules are formed, but prolonged heating and cooling steps increase process time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter to below-gelling-point conditions, which eliminates prolonged heating and cooling steps. By performing coacervation and cross-linking at these lower temperatures, the patent significantly reduces process time while maintaining effective microcapsule formation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous processing by eliminating the need for separate prolonged heating and cooling phases. The coacervation and cross-linking steps can proceed continuously at below-gelling-point temperatures, reducing overall process time while maintaining microcapsule formation quality
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 method shortens the overall process time, reduces energy expenditure, and effectively encapsulates volatile and heat-sensitive compounds while maintaining the safety and halal/kosher status of using warm water fish gelatine, resulting in stable and physically resistant microcapsules.
Implementation Method 1
coacervation (phase separation) implying the formation of a coacervate phase
Implementation Method 2
cross-linking by transglutaminase for cross-linking the hydrocolloid
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for preparing microcapsules by coacervation, and to the use of transglutaminase for cross-linking in complex coacervation. The present invention relates further to coacervation processes in general in which a material to be encapsulated is added to a solution comprising at least one colloid below the gelling temperature of the colloid. According to a method of the present invention, an emulsion or suspension of hydrophobic material is prepared after cooling a solution that includes hydrocolloids below the critical gelling temperature of a coacervate phase.