Mixed-Acid Chitosan Delivery Particles for Controlled Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing encapsulation technologies face challenges in achieving biodegradability, low shell permeability, targeted mechanical properties, and controlled release mechanisms, particularly when dealing with aqueous surfactant-based compositions, and chitosan-based materials often suffer from viscosity issues and corrosion risks.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable delivery particle shell is formed using a reaction product of cross-linking agents and acid-treated chitosan, treated with a mixture of strong and weak acids to reduce viscosity and minimize corrosion, while maintaining structural integrity and controlled release capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chitosan is used to form biodegradable delivery particles, then biodegradability is improved, but viscosity increases making handling difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by treating chitosan with a mixture of strong and weak acids to modify its physical and chemical properties. This acid treatment reduces the viscosity of chitosan while preserving its biodegradable nature, making it easier to handle and process into delivery particles without sacrificing the core biodegradability benefit
2Ease of operation
If chitosan is treated with strong acid to reduce viscosity, then handling is improved, but corrosion risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by using a mixture of strong and weak acids together with a crosslinking agent in combination with chitosan. This composite approach allows the strong acid to effectively reduce viscosity while the weak acid and crosslinking agent moderate the corrosive effects, creating a balanced system that improves handling without excessive corrosion risk
Solution Approach 2:
The weak acid and crosslinking agent act as intermediaries that mediate between the strong acid and the chitosan. They facilitate the viscosity reduction process while protecting against the harmful corrosive effects of the strong acid alone, enabling effective processing with reduced environmental harm
3Reliability
If shell permeability is reduced to protect core material, then protection is improved, but controlled release capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by creating a shell with tunable permeability characteristics through the acid-treated chitosan and crosslinking agent system. The shell structure can dynamically adjust its release properties based on environmental conditions such as pH changes, allowing it to maintain protection while enabling controlled release when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses local quality by creating regions within the shell with different permeability characteristics. The acid treatment and crosslinking create localized areas with specific properties that can selectively protect certain core materials while allowing controlled release of others, achieving both protection and adaptability simultaneously
4Speed
If mechanical rupture is used for release mechanism, then release speed is improved, but premature rupture risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-treating the chitosan with acid and crosslinking agents to create a shell with optimized mechanical properties before encapsulation. This preliminary modification of the shell structure ensures that the delivery particles can withstand mechanical stress during handling and storage while maintaining the capability for rapid release when intended activation occurs
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 solution results in delivery particles with reduced viscosity, improved handling, and enhanced structural integrity, suitable for aqueous environments, and ensures controlled release of encapsulated agents, addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
treating chitosan with a mixture of a strong acid and a weak acid to reduce the viscosity
Implementation Method 2
the shell comprising a reaction product of a cross-linking agent, and a mixed acid-treated chitosan
Data Source
AI summary
An improved delivery particle comprising a benefit agent core material and a shell encapsulating the core material is described, along with a process for forming such a delivery particle and articles of manufacture. The shell is the reaction product of a cross-linking agent and an acid-treated chitosan wherein the acid-treated chitosan is treated with a weak acid, or even a mixture of a first acid and a second acid, the first acid comprising a strong acid, and the second acid comprising a weak acid. The first acid and the second acid are present in a normality ratio from about 20:80 to about 80:20. The delivery particle of the invention has improved release characteristics, with enhanced degradation characteristics in OECD test method 301B.