Microencapsulated Carotenoid Composition for Stability and Low Staining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carotenoids are insoluble in water, have low solubility in oils, are unstable to light, oxygen, and heat, and conventional preparation methods involve high alkali use, leading to environmental issues and low purity products.
Innovation Solution
Pretreating carotenoids with antioxidants and using gelling wall materials to embed them, reducing pigment dissolution rates and maintaining biological activity, while minimizing solvent use and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If carotenoids are used as nutritional supplements, then health benefits are improved, but solubility and stability problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies microencapsulation technology where carotenoid particles are nested inside protective capsule structures. This nesting approach shields the carotenoids from external environmental factors such as light, oxygen, and heat, thereby improving their stability while preserving their health benefits. The capsule structure acts as a protective barrier that prevents degradation of the encapsulated carotenoid material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite materials by combining carotenoid particles with wall materials to form microcapsules. This composite structure integrates the beneficial properties of carotenoids with the protective characteristics of the wall material, achieving both health benefits and improved stability. The composite microcapsule combines the nutritional value of carotenoids with the protective and functional properties of the encapsulating material.
2Productivity
If conventional saponification method is used to prepare lutein, then lutein production is achieved, but large amount of alkali and time are required, resulting in alkaline wastewater
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful alkaline wastewater byproduct from the lutein production process. By implementing alternative preparation methods that do not rely on conventional saponification, the process eliminates the generation of alkaline wastewater while still achieving lutein production. This extraction of the harmful byproduct resolves the contradiction between productivity and environmental harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful alkaline wastewater into a beneficial process improvement by adopting alternative preparation methods that eliminate the need for large amounts of alkali. The harmful byproduct of conventional saponification is replaced by a cleaner, more environmentally friendly process that maintains lutein production capability while removing the harmful environmental factor.
3Reliability
If carotenoid preparations are made to improve bioavailability, then absorption is enhanced, but pigment dissolution rate increases causing staining
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality control by creating microcapsules with specific wall materials that provide differentiated functionality. The wall material layer provides localized protection that controls pigment dissolution, preventing staining while maintaining bioavailability. This local quality approach allows the capsule structure to selectively manage the release and dissolution properties of the encapsulated carotenoid material.
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 carotenoid compositions with low pigment dissolution rates, improved stability, and enhanced bioavailability, avoiding staining and environmental harm.
Implementation Method 1
using gelling wall materials to embed them, reducing pigment dissolution rates and maintaining biological activity
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The disclosure provides a carotenoid preparation, its preparation method and application. The method includes: obtaining pretreated carotenoid by mixing carotenoid and ethanol aqueous solution, stirring, and then dispersing through high-speed shearing, adding antioxidant, and removing solvent until ethanol solution residue is less than 10 ppm, a moisture content of the pretreated carotenoid being within a range of 10%-30%; obtaining a pretreated gelling wall material by preparing an aqueous solution with a first solid content through mixing wall material and carbohydrate, stirring, and dispersing; and obtaining the carotenoid preparation by mixing the pretreated carotenoid and the pretreated gelling wall material, emulsifying, and granulating.