Polysaccharide Emulsifier for Unsaturated Oils

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing emulsifiers derived from polysaccharides, such as starch, are ineffective in emulsifying unsaturated oils, which limits their application in food and other industries where naturally-derived oils are prevalent.

Innovation Solution

Improving the hydrophobicity of polysaccharide particles by using emulsification aids like water-soluble salts, amphiphilic agents, saccharides, organic acids, and amino acids to enhance their attachment and fixation at the oil/water interface, allowing for successful emulsification of unsaturated oils.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If polysaccharide particles are used as emulsifier, then biodegradability and environmental compatibility are improved, but emulsification capability for unsaturated oils deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental pollutionVSAvoidemulsification capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the surface property parameter of polysaccharide particles by controlling hydrophobization degree and particle size (50-800 nm), enabling them to emulsify unsaturated oils while maintaining biodegradability. This resolves the contradiction by modifying physical parameters rather than changing the fundamental biodegradable nature of polysaccharides.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure where hydrophobic groups are introduced onto polysaccharide particle surfaces, forming a hybrid material that combines the biodegradability of polysaccharides with the oil-interaction capability of hydrophobic groups, thus enabling effective emulsification of unsaturated oils.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conventional surfactants are used as emulsifier, then emulsification capability is improved, but biodegradability and environmental compatibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemulsification capabilityVSAvoidenvironmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses biodegradable polysaccharide particles that can be replaced and decomposed naturally, replacing persistent conventional surfactants. Although polysaccharides require surface modification to achieve adequate emulsification capability, their temporary use followed by natural degradation resolves the environmental harm issue while maintaining functional performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If HLB method is used for emulsification, then emulsification process is simplified, but thermal stability and long term stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemulsification process complexityVSAvoidthermal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the stability parameters by optimizing particle size (50-800 nm) and hydrophobization degree of polysaccharide particles, creating a system that achieves both simplified process and enhanced thermal/long-term stability through controlled physical-chemical properties rather than complex procedural steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Stability of the object's composition

If multiple types of surfactants are used to achieve thermal stability and long term stability, then stability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal stabilityVSAvoidemulsifier selection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal polysaccharide particle emulsifier that can handle multiple oil types (saturated and unsaturated) and provide both thermal and long-term stability through a single material system, eliminating the need to select and combine multiple different surfactant types for different applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively improves the emulsification of polysaccharide particles, enabling stable emulsification of unsaturated oils, expanding the range of applications for these emulsifiers.

Implementation Method 1

Improving the hydrophobicity of polysaccharide particles by using emulsification aids like water-soluble salts, amphiphilic agents, saccharides, organic acids, and amino acids to enhance their attachment and fixation at the oil/water interface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobic interaction: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

The method effectively improves the emulsification of polysaccharide particles, enabling stable emulsification of unsaturated oils, expanding the range of applications for these emulsifiers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobization: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP2617484B1Emulsifier and production method therefor, and production method for emulsion
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 KANAGAWA UNIVERSITY
  • EP2617484B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2B

AI summary

Provided are an emulsifier derived from sugar polymer capable of successfully emulsifying even unsaturated oil, a production method therefore, and a production method for emulsion using the emulsifier. This emulsifier can be obtained by a production method including an emulsification improving step of improving the emulsification of sugar polymer particles dispersed in water. In this emulsification improving step, the emulsification of sugar polymer particles can be improved by an action of an emulsification aid that is at least water-soluble one kind selected from salts, an amphiphilic agent, saccharides, an organic acid, and an amino acid. Alternatively, the emulsification of sugar polymer particles can be improved by storing the sugar polymer particles dispersed in water at a low temperature of 10 °C or lower.