Biodegradable PHA and Calcium Phosphate Cosmetic Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cosmetic polymers are not biodegradable and contribute to water pollution, and they lack controlled solubility in water, which limits their ability to remain on hair and skin effectively after rinsing.
Innovation Solution
A composition combining polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) with calcium phosphate microparticles, where the calcium phosphate aggregates enhance the binding of active ingredients and act as a gripping agent to prevent the PHA from being easily removed during washings, while maintaining stability in physiological conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional synthetic polymers are used in cosmetic formulations, then the polymers provide good film-forming properties and remain on hair and skin after rinsing, but they are not biodegradable and contribute to water pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by using polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) with specific molecular weights and compositions that maintain film-forming properties while being biodegradable. The PHAs are selected to have controlled solubility characteristics that allow them to remain on keratin surfaces under physiological conditions but degrade under specific environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite system by combining PHAs with calcium phosphate particles. This composite approach enhances the performance of the biodegradable polymer, providing improved adhesion to keratin surfaces and controlled release properties while maintaining environmental sustainability.
2Reliability
If conventional synthetic polymers are used, then they provide good adhesion to hair and skin, but they lack controlled solubility in water, limiting their ability to be removed when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic solubility characteristics to the polymer system. The PHAs are designed to exhibit conditional solubility - remaining stable and adherent under physiological conditions (neutral pH, body temperature) but becoming soluble under specific conditions (altered pH, enzymatic action). This dynamic behavior allows the polymer to provide sustained adhesion when needed and be removed or degraded when appropriate.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates are used, then environmental sustainability is improved, but the polymers may be too fragile and lack the mechanical strength to remain on hair and skin effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The invention addresses the mechanical weakness of biodegradable PHAs by creating a composite with calcium phosphate particles. The calcium phosphate provides structural reinforcement and improved mechanical strength to the PHA matrix, enabling the biodegradable polymer to maintain adequate strength for cosmetic applications while preserving its environmental sustainability benefits.
4Ease of operation
If polymers with high water solubility are used, then they can be easily removed by rinsing, but they do not remain on hair and skin long enough to provide sustained cosmetic effects
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes parameter changes in solubility behavior by selecting PHAs with specific molecular weights and compositions that exhibit conditional solubility. The polymers are designed to have low solubility under physiological conditions, allowing them to remain on the skin for extended periods, while being capable of dissolution under specific conditions such as altered pH or enzymatic degradation, enabling controlled removal when needed.
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 composition effectively retains active ingredients on hair and skin, gradually releasing them over time, and dissolves under altered pH conditions to provide therapeutic effects, offering improved bioavailability and environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
the calcium phosphate, which, under physiological conditions, is able to convey the active ingredients which are used in cosmetic and personal care products, and at the same time act as a gripping agent for the PHA to prevent the same from being easily removed as a result of repeated washings
Implementation Method 2
The composition effectively retains active ingredients on hair and skin, gradually releasing them over time
Implementation Method 3
dissolves under altered pH conditions to provide therapeutic effects
Data Source
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AI summary
Composition comprising at least one polyhydroxy- alkanoate (PHA) and at least one calcium phosphate, said at least one calcium phosphate being in the form of aggregates having an average size ranging from 0.1 μm to 10 μm, preferably from 0.2 μm to 5 μm, and preparation processes thereof. Said composition can be used in particular in formulations for cosmetic use, wherein it can act not only as a biodegradable polymeric component which lasts for a long time on the surface of the keratins of skin and hair even after prolonged rinses, but also as an innovative carrier and dispenser of specific active ingredients, whose bioactivity is prolonged after each application.