Polyunsaturated Fat Oxidation Stability via Tea Polyphenol

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Solution Overview

Problem

Polyunsaturated fatty acid-containing fats have poor oxidation stability, limiting their use in food applications due to rapid oxidation, off-taste, and off-flavor generation, and existing methods to improve stability, such as adding antioxidants, have not been satisfactory.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a water-soluble tea polyphenol into polyunsaturated fatty acid-containing fats in an aqueous solution state, with specific concentrations of tea polyphenol and emulsifier, to enhance oxidation stability and maintain a good taste, allowing for broader food applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a polyunsaturated fatty acid-containing fat is used, then health benefits are provided, but oxidation stability is poor and deteriorates quickly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidation stabilityVSAvoidshelf life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses water-soluble tea polyphenol as an intermediary substance that mediates between the polyunsaturated fatty acid and oxygen, preventing direct oxidation reactions. The tea polyphenol acts as a sacrificial antioxidant that protects the valuable n-3 fatty acids from degradation while extending shelf life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the concentration parameter of the tea polyphenol additive to optimize oxidation stability. By controlling the tea polyphenol content within specific ranges, the patent achieves enhanced protection against oxidation while maintaining the functional properties of the polyunsaturated fatty acid-containing fat.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If antioxidants are added to improve oxidation stability, then stability improves, but taste and flavor deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidation stabilityVSAvoidoff-taste and off-flavor
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs water-soluble tea polyphenol as a natural intermediary antioxidant that protects against oxidation without introducing the harmful off-tastes and off-flavors associated with conventional antioxidants. The tea polyphenol provides protection while maintaining the natural sensory properties of the fat.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The tea polyphenol acts as a disposable protective agent that sacrificially oxidizes instead of the valuable polyunsaturated fatty acids. This sacrificial protection mechanism prevents the formation of harmful oxidation products that cause off-tastes and off-flavors.

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

3Reliability

If the fat is formulated into an emulsion to improve stability, then oxidation resistance improves, but the emulsion becomes cloudy and contains water limiting use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidation stabilityVSAvoidintended use range
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates water from the system by using water-soluble tea polyphenol that can be easily separated. This allows the fat to maintain oxidation stability without the complications of water-containing emulsions, preserving clarity and expanding application versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The water-soluble tea polyphenol serves as a mediator that provides oxidation protection without requiring the formation of a water-based emulsion. This intermediary approach allows the fat to remain in its native form while gaining enhanced oxidation stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the fat is powderized or capsulated to improve stability, then oxidation resistance improves, but manufacturing becomes troublesome and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidation stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the need for complex powderization or capsulation processes by using water-soluble tea polyphenol as a protective additive. This simplifies the manufacturing process, eliminates troublesome handling steps, and maintains high productivity while achieving oxidation stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The tea polyphenol provides self-service protection against oxidation, eliminating the need for external protective measures such as powderization or capsulation. The fat protects itself through the additive, simplifying manufacturing and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 significantly improves oxidation stability, allowing the polyunsaturated fatty acid-containing fats to be used in various food products without generating oxidized oil odors or peroxides, providing health benefits and extended shelf life.

Implementation Method 1

a polyunsaturated acid-containing fat has very poor oxidation stability as compared with an edible fat such as soybean oil and rapeseed oil, easily undergoes oxidation by oxygen, light, heat etc. When it is oxidized, it generates an off-taste and off-flavor, or it produces a peroxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP3378323B1Fat containing polyunsaturated fatty acid
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 FUJI OIL CO LTD

AI summary

Provided are a highly versatile fat containing a polyunsaturated fatty acid and a foodstuff in which said fat is used, said fat having good flavor and exceptional oxidation stability. A fat containing a polyunsaturated fatty acid, the fat containing water-soluble tea polyphenol added when the fat is dissolved in an aqueous solution.