SAMe Microcapsules With Protein Wall for Moisture Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is highly hygroscopic, leading to stability and absorption issues, and existing preparation methods are complex, unsafe, or result in poor dispersibility and low bioavailability.

Innovation Solution

A method for preparing SAMe microcapsules using a core material dispersion and wall material dispersion, comprising SAMe and an acid-resistant filler, with a protein wall material and prebiotic sugar, which are dissolved in water and then heated to prepare an alkaline protein aqueous solution, and a suitable solvent is dissolved in water, and a wall material dispersion prepared by dissolving a protein wall material in water and adjusting the pH to above 10 to obtain an alkaline protein dispersion, followed by heating at 80° C. for at least 10 minutes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If SAMe is used as a preparation, then it has good therapeutic effects, but it is very easy to absorb moisture leading to poor stability

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidhygroscopicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds SAMe core material inside a protective microcapsule structure with wall material layers. This nesting approach isolates the hygroscopic SAMe from environmental moisture while maintaining its therapeutic properties, effectively resolving the contradiction between stability and hygroscopicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary wall material (such as proteins, polysaccharides, or polymers) that acts as a barrier between SAMe and moisture. This intermediary layer prevents direct contact with water while allowing the SAMe to remain stable and effective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If chemical modification of SAMe is used to overcome hygroscopicity, then stability improves, but the process becomes complicated and unsafe

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the SAMe preparation into distinct functional components: the active SAMe core and the protective wall material. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component without complex chemical modifications, simplifying the overall process while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs natural, easily obtainable wall materials (proteins, polysaccharides) that can be prepared through simple physical processes rather than complex chemical modifications. These materials provide adequate protection without requiring sophisticated synthesis procedures.

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

3Reliability

If silicon dioxide or calcium hydrogen phosphate is used to adsorb active ingredient, then hygroscopicity is reduced, but dispersibility becomes poor and bioavailability is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-hygroscopicityVSAvoiddispersibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the wall material to optimize both anti-hygroscopicity and dispersibility. By selecting materials with appropriate molecular structures and adjusting parameters like molecular weight, charge, and hydrophobicity, the patent achieves both moisture protection and good dispersibility in biological systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite wall materials combining multiple components (e.g., proteins with polysaccharides, or polymers with natural additives) that work synergistically to provide both hygroscopic protection and excellent dispersibility. This composite approach overcomes the limitations of single-component adsorbents like silicon dioxide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If silicon dioxide or calcium hydrogen phosphate is used, then hygroscopicity is reduced, but ignition residue content increases and bioavailability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-hygroscopicityVSAvoidbioavailability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs wall materials that are themselves biocompatible and can be metabolized or excreted by the body without accumulating as residue. The materials serve their protective function and then naturally decompose or are eliminated, avoiding the ignition residue problem associated with inorganic fillers like silicon dioxide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses biodegradable wall materials that can be safely discarded by the body through natural metabolic processes. After fulfilling their protective role, these materials are broken down into harmless substances that the body can process and eliminate, maximizing bioavailability of the SAMe core material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 prepared SAMe microcapsules exhibit good stability, anti-hygroscopicity, and are friendly to the gastrointestinal tract, with a process that is safe and green, allowing for direct tablet compression without additional excipients.

Implementation Method 1

dissolving a protein wall material in water and adjusting the pH value to above 10 to obtain an alkaline protein dispersion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectpH adjustment:

Implementation Method 2

adding a prebiotic sugar and heating at a temperature of 80° C. to 100° C. for at least 10 minutes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

mixing the core material dispersion and the wall material dispersion evenly to obtain a mixed dispersion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMixing:

Implementation Method 4

granulating and drying the mixed dispersion to obtain microcapsules

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDrying:

Data Source

PatentUS20250367230A1Method for preparing SAMe microcapsules
Publication Date: 2025.12.04 XIAMEN KINGDOMWAY BIOTECH CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention belongs to the field of food or medicine, and relates to a method for preparing SAMe microcapsules. The SAMe microcapsules prepared by the preparation method of the present invention have good stability and anti-hygroscopicity, and are particularly friendly to the gastrointestinal tract.