Powderous Vitamin E Formulation Preventing Spray Drying Stickiness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vitamin E formulations face issues with stickiness during the spray drying process, leading to material loss and increased cleaning efforts, and often result in turbid liquid formulations when used in beverages.
Innovation Solution
A powderous composition comprising 5-25% dl-α-tocopherol acetate, 20-50% maltodextrin with a DE < 20, 20-50% modified polysaccharide, and 5-20% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monofatty acid ester, which is spray-dried to prevent stickiness and maintain clarity in liquid formulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional vitamin E formulations are used in spray drying process, then vitamin E can be incorporated into beverages, but the formulation becomes sticky and sticks to the wall of the drying apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specific encapsulation system comprising a modified polysaccharide matrix and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monofatty acid ester as intermediary materials. These materials act as mediators between vitamin E and the spray drying process, preventing direct interaction that causes stickiness. The modified polysaccharide matrix encapsulates vitamin E droplets, while the polyoxyethylene sorbitan monofatty acid ester serves as a surface-modifying agent that reduces adhesion to the drying apparatus walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the vitamin E formulation by controlling droplet size (70-200 nanometers), selecting specific polysaccharide modification types, and optimizing the concentration of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monofatty acid ester. These parameter changes transform the formulation from a sticky state to a non-sticky state suitable for spray drying, while maintaining vitamin E stability and functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional vitamin E formulations are used, then vitamin E can be delivered in beverages, but the liquid formulations become turbid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vitamin E delivery system into discrete encapsulated droplets with controlled size distribution (70-200 nanometers). This segmentation prevents aggregation and scattering of light that would cause turbidity. The modified polysaccharide matrix encapsulates individual vitamin E molecules or small clusters, creating uniformly sized particles that remain suspended without causing opacity in the beverage formulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the critical parameter of particle size to the nanometer range (70-200 nm), which is below the threshold for causing visible light scattering. This parameter change transforms the formulation from turbid to clear while maintaining the functional delivery of vitamin E in liquid beverages.
3Productivity
If spray drying is used to produce powderous vitamin E formulation, then the formulation can be easily stored and used, but material loss occurs due to stickiness
Solution Approach 1:
The polyoxyethylene sorbitan monofatty acid ester acts as a protective intermediary layer on the surface of the encapsulated vitamin E droplets during spray drying. This intermediary layer prevents direct contact between the vitamin E formulation and the drying apparatus surfaces, eliminating stickiness and preventing material loss during the drying process and subsequent handling.
4Productivity
If spray drying is used to produce powderous vitamin E formulation, then the formulation can be easily stored and used, but increased cleaning time is required due to stickiness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of stickiness into a benefit by using the polyoxyethylene sorbitan monofatty acid ester to create a controlled surface property. Instead of preventing all surface interaction, it creates a non-stick surface that allows for easy release and minimal cleaning requirements, transforming the cleaning issue from a problem into a feature of the formulation.
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 reduces material loss and cleaning efforts during production, and ensures clear, stable beverages by preventing turbidity and maintaining clarity over storage.
Implementation Method 1
at least one polyoxyethylene sorbitan monofatty acid ester
Implementation Method 2
which is spray-dried to prevent stickiness and maintain clarity in liquid formulations
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates a powderous formulation comprising vitamin E, which can be produced easily and which can be used in many fields of application, but mainly in beverages.