Preserving Miracle Fruit Berries via Segmentation and Freeze Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preserving Synsepalum dulcificum berries are unsatisfactory, leading to a loss of potency and effectiveness over time.

Innovation Solution

A method involving obtaining a fresh Synsepalum dulcificum berry, separating its pulp into two or more parts, and then freeze-drying the berry with the separated pulp, while storing it in oxygen barrier packaging with an oxygen absorber to maintain potency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Synsepalum dulcificum berries are stored using existing methods, then they are easy to store and ship, but they lose potency and effectiveness over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepotency retentionVSAvoidstorage duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The berry is divided into multiple segments or slices before freeze-drying. This segmentation increases the surface area for more effective freeze-drying, removes internal moisture more completely, and creates a structure that better preserves miraculin potency over extended storage periods without refrigeration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The berries undergo freeze-drying which fundamentally changes their moisture content and physical state. This parameter change from fresh to freeze-dried state prevents degradation of miraculin, allowing the berries to maintain potency for extended periods without refrigeration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If Synsepalum dulcificum berries are stored without refrigeration, then shipping and storage costs are reduced, but potency is lost over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepotency retentionVSAvoidstorage temperature control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The berries are freeze-dried and packaged with oxygen absorbers before storage. This preliminary action removes moisture and oxygen that would otherwise cause degradation during storage, enabling the berries to be stored at ambient temperatures without losing potency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Oxygen absorbers are placed in the packaging with the freeze-dried berries to create an oxygen-free or low-oxygen environment. This inert atmosphere prevents oxidation and microbial growth, allowing the berries to maintain potency without refrigeration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

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 allows the berry to retain its potency for an extended period, with some embodiments maintaining effectiveness for up to 20 years without refrigeration, enabling efficient storage and shipping.

Implementation Method 1

an oxygen absorber, which is configured to reduce an oxygen content in an inner volume of said packaging

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxygen absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

freeze drying the berry with the separated pulp

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFreeze drying: Freeze Drying

Data Source

PatentUS20250151739A1Preserving miracle fruit berries

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 NATURES WILD BERRY

AI summary

Provided are methods of preserving and/or storing Synsepalum dulcificum berry, which may involve separating a pulp of the berry into two or more parts; and freeze drying the berry with the separated pulp.