Solid Oral Composition for Masking Branched Fatty Acid Odor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Branched fatty acids, such as isovaleric acid, are known to cause unpleasant odors, and existing technologies have not effectively addressed this issue in oral compositions.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating pyrazines at a specific mass ratio with branched fatty acids suppresses the unpleasant odor, with additional suppression of 4-vinylguaiacol when coexisting with the branched fatty acids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If branched fatty acids are incorporated into the oral composition, then the flavor complexity is improved, but an unpleasant odor is generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflavor complexityVSAvoidunpleasant odor
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Pyrazines are introduced as an intermediary substance that mediates between the branched fatty acid and the human olfactory system. The pyrazines interact with the branched fatty acid molecules and transform the unpleasant odor perception into a pleasant roasted or nutty flavor profile, effectively acting as a chemical mediator that converts harmful sensory input into beneficial output

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful unpleasant odor of branched fatty acids into a beneficial roasted or nutty flavor by combining them with pyrazines. The specific mass ratio relationship (pyrazines to branched fatty acids from 0.015 to 5) transforms what would normally be a defective sensory attribute into a desirable flavor characteristic, thereby converting harm into benefit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If pyrazines are added to suppress the unpleasant odor of branched fatty acids, then the odor suppression effect is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveodor suppression effectVSAvoidcomposition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the mass ratio parameter between pyrazines and branched fatty acids to achieve effective odor suppression while minimizing composition complexity. By establishing specific ratio ranges (0.015 to 5, with preferred ranges of 0.05 to 1), the patent transforms a complex multi-component problem into a manageable parameter optimization task, where adjusting the ratio alone controls the suppression effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If multiple aroma components are incorporated to enhance flavor, then the palatability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovepalatabilityVSAvoidcomponent ratio control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies manufacturing precision requirements by establishing broad acceptable ratio ranges between pyrazines and branched fatty acids (0.015 to 5). This parameter approach allows significant flexibility in formulation while maintaining effective odor suppression and flavor enhancement, thereby reducing the stringency of manufacturing control compared to fixed-ratio formulations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20260096585A1Oral composition
Publication Date: 2026.04.09 KAO CORP

AI summary

A solid oral composition, including: (A) 0.00005 mass ppm to 40 mass ppm of a branched fatty acid, (B) pyrazines, and (C) 4-vinylguaiacol. A mass ratio of the component (B) to the component (A), [(B)/(A)], is 0.015 or more. a mass ratio of the component (B) to a total amount of the component (A) and the component (C), [(B)/[(A)+(C)]], is 0.01 or more. The branched fatty acid may be isobutyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, or isovaleric acid.