Pongamol-Stabilized Sunscreen Composition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sunscreen compositions using synthetic photostabilizers are unsafe, environmentally hazardous, and costly, with UV filters like avobenzone and octyl-methoxycinnamate undergoing rapid photo-degradation, necessitating the need for natural, safe, and cost-effective alternatives.

Innovation Solution

A photostable sunscreen composition is developed using dibenzoylmethane derivatives like avobenzone and octyl-methoxycinnamate, stabilized with pongamol, along with additional UV filters such as Tinosorb M, ethyl hexyl triazone, octyl dimethyl PABA, TiO2, and ZnO, in judiciously selected weight percentages, leveraging pongamol's natural stabilizing properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If synthetic photostabilizers are used in sunscreen compositions, then photostability is improved, but safety and environmental compatibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovephotostabilityVSAvoidsafety and environmental hazards
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing synthetic photostabilizers with natural alternatives. Specifically, it uses plant extracts containing flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and other natural antioxidants as photostabilizers, thereby maintaining photostability while eliminating safety and environmental concerns associated with synthetic chemicals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs naturally occurring, readily available plant extracts as photostabilizers instead of expensive synthetic compounds. These natural ingredients are derived from common plants and can be sustainably sourced, making the formulation both cost-effective and environmentally friendly while providing adequate photostability.

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

2Quantity of substance

If UV filters like avobenzone and octyl-methoxycinnamate are used, then UV absorption is improved, but photo-degradation rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUV absorption capacityVSAvoidprotection duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces natural photostabilizers as intermediary substances that protect the UV filters from degrading. These stabilizers, derived from plant extracts, act as mediators that absorb excess energy and prevent photo-degradation of avobenzone and octyl-methoxycinnamate, thereby extending their protective action duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite sunscreen formulation that combines UV filters (avobenzone, octyl-methoxycinnamate) with natural photostabilizers (plant extracts containing flavonoids, phenolics). This composite approach allows the UV filters to provide strong UV absorption while the natural stabilizers prevent their degradation, achieving both high UV protection and extended duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If natural photostabilizers are used, then safety and environmental compatibility are improved, but photostability enhancement is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety and environmental compatibilityVSAvoidphotostability enhancement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple natural photoprotective components in a synergistic formulation. It merges UV filters (avobenzone, octyl-methoxycinnamate, Tinosorb M) with natural photostabilizers (plant extracts rich in flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants). This combination creates a synergistic effect where the natural components collectively provide photostability enhancement comparable to or exceeding synthetic alternatives, while maintaining superior safety and environmental compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 provides enhanced UV absorption efficiency and photostability, maintaining protection for a longer duration while being safe, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective, with pongamol's low required concentration and ease of extraction from karaja seed oil.

Implementation Method 1

UV filters used in the sunscreen preparations are mainly derivatives of 3-benzylidenecamphor, ethylhexyl salicylate, p-methoxy-cinnamic acid esters such as 2-ethylhexyl p-methoxycinnamate or octyl-methodycinnamate... Some of the UV absorbing organic compounds employed in sunscreen compositions, avobenzone in particular, undergo rapid photo degradation on exposure to UV radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUV absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

To overcome this problem, sunscreen preparations generally contain photostabilizers to enhance their photostability... We have found out by extensive research and experimentation that photostable sunscreen composition for topical application comprising UV absorbers dibenzoylmethane derivative such as avobenzone, octyl-methoxycinnamate and pongamol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotostabilization:

Implementation Method 3

additional UV absorbers consisting of methylene bis- benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol (Tinosorb M), ethyl hexyl triazone, octyl dimethyl PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid), TiO2 and ZnO

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUV scattering and reflection: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP3122321B1Photostable sunscreen composition for topical application
Publication Date: 2020.10.14 KANCOR INGREDIENTS LTD

AI summary

The sunscreen composition includes dibenzoylmethane derivative in 1 to 5% by weight of the composition, octyl-methoxycinnamate in 1 to 10% by weight of the composition and dermatologically acceptable excipients in 79 to 97% by weight of the composition containing 60 - 75% aqueous phase stabilised with 1-(4-methoxy-5-benzofuranyl)-3 -phenyl 1, 3 propanedione (pongamol) in 0.9 to 6% by weight of the composition.