Natamycin Release Rate Control via Solvent-Free Separation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current anti-fungal compositions, such as natamycin, face challenges with high release rates that do not provide adequate protection duration and stability, leading to potential health risks and economic losses due to fungal spoilage in food products.

Innovation Solution

A process to produce natamycin with a low release rate by disintegrating biomass in the fermentation broth without using organic solvents, followed by gravity gradient separation and pH adjustments to achieve a slower release profile, maintaining high purity and yield.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If natamycin is used with high release rate to provide adequate protection, then the duration of protection is extended, but the stability of natamycin deteriorates and penetration becomes too deep

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduration of protectionVSAvoidstability of natamycin

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the release rate parameter of natamycin from high to low through a specific production process, achieving a balance between protection duration and stability. The low release rate prevents excessive penetration while maintaining adequate protection duration through sustained release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If natamycin is used with high release rate, then initial anti-fungal effect is strong, but the duration of protection is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-fungal effectVSAvoidduration of protection

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The low release rate creates a periodic or sustained release pattern of natamycin, providing continuous anti-fungal protection over an extended period rather than a single strong initial effect that quickly diminishes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Speed

If encapsulation is used to control release rate, then release rate is controlled, but formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelease rateVSAvoidformulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the release rate control property from the natamycin production process itself rather than adding a separate encapsulation layer. This integrates the rate control function into the natamycin structure through the production method, eliminating the need for additional formulation complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 resulting natamycin exhibits a significant decrease in release rate, offering prolonged protection against fungal growth without the need for encapsulation, thus enhancing food safety and reducing the risk of spoilage.

Implementation Method 1

followed by gravity gradient separation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity gradient separation: Density Gradient

Implementation Method 2

followed by gravity gradient separation and pH adjustments to achieve a slower release profile

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectpH adjustment:

Data Source

PatentEP2260706B1Improved Anti-fungal composition

Publication Date: 2016.05.04 DSM IP ASSETS BV

AI summary

The present invention relates to an improved antifungal composition, to a process for preparing it and to its use as a preservative.