Microfibrillated Cellulose Biocide Composition for Shelf Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
The storage and shelf life of microfibrillated cellulose compositions derived from non-wood sources are too short, making it challenging to develop a commercial product, and there is a need to effectively control microbiological degradation in these compositions.
Innovation Solution
A microbiologically controlled microfibrillated cellulose composition is developed using agricultural biomass as a source, which includes a biocide composition comprising at least two biocidal components from different groups to efficiently prevent microbial growth and spoilage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If biocides are used to control microbial growth in microfibrillated cellulose composition, then microbial spoilage is prevented, but the biocides may be degraded at high temperatures during processing
Solution Approach 1:
The biocide composition is prepared and pre-mixed with the microfibrillated cellulose composition before the high-temperature processing step. This preliminary action allows the biocide to be distributed throughout the composition before exposure to degrading temperatures, ensuring adequate microbial control is established before processing begins.
Solution Approach 2:
An excess amount of biocide is added to the composition beforehand to compensate for the anticipated degradation that will occur during high-temperature processing. This ensures that even after partial degradation, sufficient active biocide remains to maintain effective microbial control throughout the product's shelf life.
2Productivity
If agricultural biomass is used as feed material for microfibrillated cellulose production, then resource efficiency is improved and waste valorization is achieved, but microbiological degradation and spoilage are intensified
Solution Approach 1:
The naturally occurring microbes and nutrients in agricultural biomass, which initially pose a spoilage risk, are converted into a benefit by using them as the basis for a biocide treatment regime. The biocide composition is specifically designed to target and eliminate these particular microorganisms while preserving the nutritional and structural properties of the agricultural biomass-derived cellulose.
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical parameters of the system are changed by introducing biocidal agents that fundamentally alter the microbial landscape. This transforms the system from one where microbial growth is a natural consequence of using agricultural biomass to one where microbial control is chemically enforced, enabling stable storage while maintaining resource efficiency.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If heat treatment is applied to kill microbes in raw material, then microbial load is reduced, but heat-resistant bacterial spores survive and remain problematic
Solution Approach 1:
A biocide composition acts as an intermediary agent between the heat treatment process and the heat-resistant spores. While heat treatment eliminates susceptible microorganisms, the biocide specifically targets and eliminates the heat-resistant spores that would otherwise survive the thermal process, providing a two-stage microbial control approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The microbial control strategy uses a composite approach combining thermal treatment (heat) with chemical treatment (biocides). This composite method leverages the strengths of both approaches: heat effectively reduces the bulk microbial load, while biocides specifically address the heat-resistant spore population that thermal treatment alone cannot eliminate.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If storage time is extended for commercial viability, then marketability is improved, but microbial growth and spoilage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The biocide composition provides continuous microbial protection throughout the extended storage period. Rather than relying on initial heat treatment that only provides temporary protection, the biocide maintains active microbial control continuously from the point of addition through the entire shelf life, enabling long-term stable storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The biocide acts as a consumable protective agent that is gradually depleted or degraded over time during storage. By adding sufficient biocide initially to cover the entire intended shelf life, the system trades the cost of the biocide additive for the benefit of extended storage stability, making the product commercially viable.
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 composition achieves extended storage stability and shelf life, allowing for the production of value-added products, and effectively controls microbial growth, including heat-resistant bacterial spores, ensuring the composition's suitability for use in food packaging applications.
Implementation Method 1
a biocide composition comprising at least two biocidal components... efficiently prevent microbial growth and spoilage
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a microfibrillated cellulose composition comprising microfibrillated cellulose originating from agricultural biomass, comprising:≥30 wt % cellulose,1-15 wt % pectin,8-25 wt % hemicellulose,0-12 wt %, lignin,0-15 wt % ash, and0-8 wt % protein,based on dry solids content of said microfibrillated cellulose; and a biocide composition comprising at least two biocidal components, wherein the at least two biocidal components are selected from the groups of biocidal components consisting of:Group I: compounds with activated halogen atoms,Group II: heterocyclic N—S compounds,Group III: aldehydes, andGroup IV: surface active biocidal compounds selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium compounds, long-chain alkylamines, guanidines and biguanidines,and any combination thereof,and the at least two biocidal components are selected from at least two different groups. The present invention further relates to its manufacture, and use in and manufacture of paper and paperboard products.