Preservative Combinations for PCC Oral Care Formulations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oral care compositions containing precipitated calcium carbonate are susceptible to microbial contamination due to the instability of traditional preservatives like glutaraldehyde at alkaline pH and bacterial metabolism of formaldehyde, which limits their effectiveness in maintaining the quality and shelf-life of these products.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a combination of preservatives such as phenethyl alcohol and caprylyl glycol, or benzyl alcohol and caprylyl glycol, in specific weight percentages within oral care compositions, including dentifrices, to effectively minimize microbial growth and contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional preservatives like glutaraldehyde are used in PCC oral care compositions, then microbial growth is initially suppressed, but the preservative becomes ineffective at alkaline pH levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreservative effectivenessVSAvoidpH stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the preservative system by selecting preservatives (phenethyl alcohol, caprylyl glycol, benzyl alcohol) that remain effective at alkaline pH levels, specifically formulated for the high pH environment of toothpaste compositions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite preservative systems combining multiple preservatives (phenethyl alcohol with caprylyl glycol, or benzyl alcohol with caprylyl glycol) to achieve synergistic effects that provide reliable microbial suppression at alkaline pH where single preservatives fail

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If formaldehyde-releasing agents are used to preserve PCC slurries, then microbial contamination is reduced, but bacterial strains can metabolize formaldehyde allowing growth to continue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreservative effectivenessVSAvoidbacterial metabolism of formaldehyde

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces formaldehyde-releasing agents with preservatives that have different modes of action (phenethyl alcohol, caprylyl glycol, benzyl alcohol) which are not metabolized by bacteria, effectively using alternative chemical mechanisms that bypass the bacterial metabolism problem

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the limitation of formaldehyde (bacterial metabolism) into an opportunity to use preservatives with unmetabolizable chemical structures, where the very property that makes formaldehyde vulnerable (reactivity) is replaced by preservatives with stable, non-metabolizable structures

Inventive Principle:

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

3Duration of action of stationary object

If PCC slurry is stored for extended periods, then product availability increases, but microbial contamination increases over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf-lifeVSAvoidmicrobial contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preservatives (phenethyl alcohol, caprylyl glycol, or benzyl alcohol) to the PCC slurry during manufacturing to pre-establish protection against microbial growth, ensuring the composition remains stable throughout extended storage periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses preservatives that provide continuous microbial suppression throughout the shelf-life of the product, maintaining effective concentrations that prevent contamination accumulation over extended storage times

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 use of these preservative combinations significantly reduces microbial contamination, thereby extending the shelf-life and ensuring the quality of oral care products by maintaining a stable microbial count over time, even at alkaline pH levels.

Implementation Method 1

an effective preservative combination, such as phenethyl alcohol and caprylyl glycol, or benzyl alcohol and caprylyl glycol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPreservative action: Preservative

Data Source

PatentEP3585354B1Oral care compositions and methods of use

Publication Date: 2023.10.18 COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO

AI summary

Disclosed herein are improved oral care formulations comprising precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) and preservative combinations selected from the group consisting of i) phenethyl alcohol and caprylyl glycol, and ii) benzyl alcohol and caprylyl glycol. Methods of making and using the compositions are also provided.