Plant-Protein Microcapsules Stable in Liquid Formulations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing encapsulation techniques using synthetic polymers are not suitable for pharmaceutical and food applications due to poor biodegradability and can lead to microplastic formation, while methods involving plant proteins result in unstable microcapsules under acidic, alkaline, or high-shear conditions, and are not suitable for liquid products.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the formation of a plant-based protein hydrogel slurry with controlled pH and shear treatment, followed by dispersion of an active ingredient and drying, to create biodegradable microcapsules suitable for liquid products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If synthetic polymers are used to form microcapsule shells, then the microcapsules provide good protective encapsulation, but they have poor biodegradability and can lead to microplastic formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameter from synthetic polymers to plant-based proteins (pea, soy, rice, wheat, corn, potato, or blends thereof), fundamentally altering the biodegradability parameter while maintaining encapsulation functionality. This substitution resolves the contradiction by providing a biodegradable alternative that eliminates microplastic formation while preserving the protective encapsulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material systems combining plant-based proteins with crosslinking agents (such as transglutaminase enzymes, glutaraldehyde, or genipin) to create microcapsule shells that maintain structural integrity and protective function while being biodegradable. The composite approach allows the material to exhibit both encapsulation reliability and environmental compatibility.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If plant proteins are used to form microcapsule shells, then the microcapsules are biodegradable, but they are not structurally stable under acidic, alkaline, or high-shear conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling pH conditions during preparation (maintaining pH at least 0.5 units below the isoelectric point of the plant protein), applying shear treatment to form hydrogel slurries, and using crosslinking agents. These parameter adjustments enhance the structural stability of plant protein microcapsules under acidic, alkaline, and high-shear conditions while preserving their biodegradable nature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials combining plant proteins with crosslinking agents to create a more stable protein network structure. This composite approach provides structural reinforcement that enables the microcapsules to withstand acidic, alkaline, and high-shear conditions while maintaining biodegradability, thus resolving the stability contradiction.
3Ease of manufacture
If plant proteins are hydrolysed to reduce viscosity for spray drying, then the material can be sprayed successfully, but the resulting microcapsules are not stable in water or under extreme conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the preparation parameters by controlling pH (maintaining at least 0.5 units below isoelectric point), applying specific shear treatment to form hydrogel slurries, and using crosslinking agents. These parameter modifications enable the formation of stable microcapsule walls from plant proteins without requiring extensive hydrolysis, thereby maintaining both sprayability and structural stability in water and extreme conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming hydrogel slurries through controlled shear treatment and pH adjustment before the spray drying process. This preliminary structuring of the plant protein material creates a more stable network that maintains integrity during spraying and in the final microcapsules, eliminating the need for extensive hydrolysis while ensuring both manufacturability and stability.
4Reliability
If conventional encapsulation methods are used, then active ingredients are protected, but temperature-sensitive actives undergo thermal degradation during processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by conducting the encapsulation process at lower temperatures through pH control and shear treatment-based hydrogel formation, replacing conventional high-temperature methods. This parameter modification protects temperature-sensitive actives from thermal degradation while maintaining effective encapsulation and protection of the active ingredients.
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 method produces stable, biodegradable microcapsules that maintain structural integrity in liquid formulations, protecting sensitive actives and avoiding thermal degradation.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting the plant-based protein mixture to a shear treatment to form a plant-based protein hydrogel slurry
Implementation Method 2
a first co-solvent increases solubility of the plant-based protein(s), and a second co-solvent decreases solubility of the plant-based protein(s)
Implementation Method 3
drying said composition to form a microcapsule
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for preparing a microcapsule and to a method for preparing a microcapsule composition. The present invention also relates to the microcapsule and the microcapsule composition per se. The present invention also relates to uses of the microcapsules and to methods involving the microcapsule, including to prepare a formulated product. The present invention also relates to the formulated product per se.