Probiotic Bacteria Encapsulation in Detergent Compositions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Probiotic bacteria in personal care and cosmetic products are inactivated by bactericidal surface active materials, preservatives, and terpenes, leading to loss of product functionality and stability issues during storage and usage.
Innovation Solution
Encapsulation of probiotic bacteria in polymer capsules, specifically using a combination of pectin/alginate or alginate with polysaccharides and lipids, provides a polymeric barrier that maintains bacterial viability in detergent-based personal care products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If probiotic bacteria are added to detergent-based personal care products, then the product gains functional benefits for skin health and hygiene, but the bacteria are inactivated by bactericidal surface active materials, preservatives, and terpenes, leading to loss of functionality and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary protective system consisting of microencapsulation technology and compatible excipients that mediate between the probiotic bacteria and the harsh detergent environment. The encapsulation matrix acts as a buffer, allowing the bacteria to coexist with bactericidal ingredients without direct harmful interaction, thus maintaining both product functionality and bacterial stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the local chemical environment parameters around the bacteria through selection of specific excipients and formulation conditions that create a compatible microenvironment. By adjusting pH, ionic strength, and other parameters within the encapsulation system, the bacteria remain viable even in the presence of harsh detergent ingredients
2Productivity
If probiotic bacteria are directly incorporated into detergent compositions, then the product provides immediate probiotic action, but the bacteria undergo inactivation during storage and usage, resulting in loss of probiotic efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary protective action by pre-encapsulating the probiotic bacteria in a protective matrix before incorporation into the detergent composition. This preliminary encapsulation shields the bacteria from harsh ingredients during manufacturing and storage, ensuring they remain viable and productive when the product is eventually used
Solution Approach 2:
The encapsulation system provides beforehand cushioning by creating a protective barrier that absorbs and mitigates the harmful effects of detergent ingredients over time. This cushioning effect maintains bacterial viability throughout the product shelf life, ensuring sustained probiotic productivity
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional formulation methods are used without special protection, then the product composition is simple and easy to manufacture, but the probiotic bacteria are rapidly inactivated by surface active materials and preservatives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible microencapsulation shells that provide effective protection for probiotic bacteria while maintaining ease of manufacture. The thin film encapsulation technology can be integrated into existing detergent formulation processes, offering a balance between protective functionality and manufacturing simplicity
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 encapsulation method stabilizes probiotic bacteria, with 60-90% survival rate after 120 hours at elevated temperatures, compared to 0-60% inactivation of non-encapsulated bacteria, effectively protecting them from surface active materials and other detrimental compounds.
Implementation Method 1
Encapsulation of probiotic bacteria in polymer capsules, specifically using a combination of pectin/alginate or alginate with polysaccharides and lipids, provides a polymeric barrier that maintains bacterial viability
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides an approach for probiotic bacteria preservation and protection in the compositions of surface-active material containing personal hygiene/care product compositions. Probiotic bacteria (PB) are well known group of microorganisms for the beneficial effects on human health. Thus it is widely used as food and cosmetic, personal hygiene supplements (C/PHS). PB positive action within the compositions of cosmetics could be related with the complementation of human microbiome, production of various anti-oxidative, moisturising, biocide activity possessing compounds or other fermentation products which are directly or indirectly affecting human skin or other organ systems. In many cases Gram+ PB and/or PB bacterial metabolites are supplemented into detergent based personal care or domestic hygiene compositions with the aim to improve product functional features. The PB protection mechanism is based on bacterial immobilisation /encapsulation into polymer pectin/alginate or alginate capsules which polymeric barrier allows maintaining of stable bacterial viability in the detergent based personal care or domestic hygiene products.