Phytosterol Suspension Preparation for Stable High-Concentration Formulas

Solution Overview

Problem

Phytosterols are challenging to formulate as concentrated suspensions due to their chemical structure, which leads to viscosity increase and physical instability issues like flocculation or aggregation, limiting their use in the agricultural sector, and existing formulations with high concentrations face difficulties in dosage accuracy and inhalation risks.

Innovation Solution

A process for preparing concentrated suspensions with phytosterols exceeding 25% by weight, involving grinding to an average particle size of less than 10 μm, combined with wetting and dispersing agents, results in stable and pourable formulations suitable for agricultural use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If phytosterols are formulated as concentrated suspensions with high concentration (>25% by weight), then the productivity and dosage efficiency are improved, but the formulation becomes physically unstable with flocculation and aggregation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosage efficiencyVSAvoidphysical stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-grinding the phytosterols to a fine particle size (D90 ≤ 50 μm) before formulation. This pre-processing step ensures that the phytosterols are already in a finely divided state, preventing aggregation and flocculation during storage and use, thereby maintaining physical stability at high concentrations (>25% by weight).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the particle size parameter of phytosterols to D90 ≤ 50 μm through grinding. This parameter change fundamentally alters the formulation behavior, enabling high concentration suspensions to remain physically stable by reducing the surface area for aggregation and improving dispersion in the aqueous phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If phytosterols are formulated as concentrated suspensions, then the volume for application is reduced, but the viscosity increases making the formulation difficult to pour

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication efficiencyVSAvoidpourability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-grinding the phytosterols to a fine particle size (D90 ≤ 50 μm) before formulation. This pre-processing step ensures that the phytosterols are already in a finely divided state, preventing aggregation and flocculation during storage and use, thereby maintaining physical stability at high concentrations (>25% by weight).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the particle size parameter of phytosterols to D90 ≤ 50 μm through grinding. This parameter change fundamentally alters the formulation behavior, enabling high concentration suspensions to remain physically stable by reducing the surface area for aggregation and improving dispersion in the aqueous phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If phytosterols are ground to fine particle size to improve stability, then the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysical stabilityVSAvoidgrinding equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-grinding the phytosterols to a fine particle size (D90 ≤ 50 μm) before formulation. This pre-processing step ensures that the phytosterols are already in a finely divided state, preventing aggregation and flocculation during storage and use, thereby maintaining physical stability at high concentrations (>25% by weight).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary 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 process produces stable, pourable suspensions with high phytosterol content, demonstrating plant growth stimulation and preventing phytotoxicity, suitable for agricultural applications via various methods.

Implementation Method 1

comprising a step for grinding said phytosterols and possible wetting agents and dispersing agents until an average particle size of less than 10 μm is reached

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGrinding: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

combined with wetting and dispersing agents, results in stable and pourable formulations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWetting: Wetting

Implementation Method 3

combined with wetting and dispersing agents, results in stable and pourable formulations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Data Source

PatentUS12471597B2Concentrated solutions of phytosterols and preparation process thereof

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 GOWAN COMPANY LLC

AI summary

Concentrated suspensions containing phytosterols, in an amount higher than 25% by weight, in addition to a process for their preparation and their relative use as stimulants of plant growth.