Preservative Composition Using Levulinic Acid Derivatives
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing preservative agents in personal care products lose efficacy at neutral or higher pH levels, requiring higher concentrations which are subject to regulatory pressures, and there is a need for compositions that maintain antimicrobial efficacy with reduced preservative agent amounts.
Innovation Solution
A preservative composition comprising at least one preservative agent combined with a levulinic acid derivative, such as a levulinic acid ester or ketal, which enhances the efficacy of the preservative agent across a broad pH range, allowing for reduced preservative agent usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If higher concentrations of preservative agents are used to maintain efficacy at neutral or higher pH levels, then antimicrobial preservation is improved, but the amount of preservative agent increases which conflicts with regulatory pressures and economic desirability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the preservative system by combining preservative agents with levulinic acid derivatives. This chemical parameter change enables the preservative composition to maintain antimicrobial efficacy at neutral and higher pH levels without requiring higher concentrations of the preservative agent alone
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite preservative composition by combining at least one preservative agent with at least one levulinic acid derivative. This composite material approach allows the synergistic interaction between components to enhance preservation efficacy while reducing the overall amount of preservative agent needed
2Reliability
If conventional preservative agents are used to ensure preservation at lower pH levels, then short-term antimicrobial protection is achieved, but the preservative becomes ineffective at neutral or higher pH levels which are common in personal care products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the preservative composition universal across a broad pH range by combining preservative agents that work at low pH with levulinic acid derivatives that extend efficacy to neutral and higher pH levels. This multi-functional approach allows a single composition to provide reliable preservation across the entire pH spectrum required for various personal care products
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a preservative composition containing a preservative agent and a potentiator ingredient and an end-use formulation comprising the preservative composition.