Oil-in-Water Semiochemical Emulsion for Stable Topical Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing semiochemical formulations face challenges due to physico-chemical constraints such as volatility and insolubility in water, necessitating the development of non-toxic and environmentally friendly aqueous formulations for topical application, particularly to prevent pests and parasites on animal and human skin.

Innovation Solution

A stable and homogeneous oil-in-water emulsion comprising an aqueous phase with humectants and gelling agents, and an oily phase with emollients and semiochemicals, such as 3-cyclopentyl propionic acid and bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, is developed for topical application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If semiochemical formulations are used to prevent pests and parasites, then protection effectiveness is improved, but toxicity and environmental harm increase due to reliance on excipients like ethoxydiglycol

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidtoxicity and environmental harm
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing toxic excipients (ethoxydiglycol) with natural alternatives (humectants like glycerol, sugars, and gelling agents like polysaccharides). This parameter change maintains the protective function while eliminating harmful effects, achieving both reliability improvement and harmful factor reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs biodegradable, natural excipients that are environmentally friendly and can be safely disposed of or degraded naturally. These replacement excipients (humectants and gelling agents) are non-toxic and environmentally benign, contrasting with the persistent synthetic excipients like ethoxydiglycol that caused environmental harm.

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

2Object-generated harmful factors

If semiochemical compounds are formulated in aqueous systems, then environmental friendliness and non-toxicity are improved, but formulation stability and homogeneity deteriorate due to volatility and insolubility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental friendliness and non-toxicityVSAvoidformulation stability and homogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces humectants and gelling agents as intermediary substances that mediate between the aqueous phase and semiochemical compounds. These intermediaries improve the solubility and stability of semiochemicals in water-based formulations, preventing volatility and phase separation while maintaining environmental friendliness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite aqueous formulation combining multiple components: water, humectants (polyols and sugars), gelling agents (polysaccharides), and semiochemical compounds. This composite system achieves both stability and homogeneity while maintaining environmental friendliness, resolving the contradiction between formulation performance and ecological safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If existing excipients like ethoxydiglycol are used in semiochemical formulations, then product performance is maintained, but regulatory compliance and public acceptance deteriorate due to synthesis methods and toxicity concerns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct performanceVSAvoidregulatory compliance and public acceptance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces synthetic excipients with natural, biodegradable alternatives that are easier to manufacture sustainably and more acceptable to regulators and consumers. The natural humectants and gelling agents eliminate concerns about synthetic excipient toxicity and environmental persistence, improving regulatory compliance and public acceptance while maintaining product performance.

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

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 emulsion provides effective prevention of invertebrate settlement and bites, while being compliant with regulatory standards and environmentally friendly, maintaining stability over time and temperature variations.

Implementation Method 1

a composition in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion comprising: a) an aqueous phase comprising water, at least one humectant chosen from polyols and sugars, and at least one gelling agent chosen from polysaccharides, b) an oily phase comprising at least one emollient agent, at least one emulsifying agent, and a semiochemical composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmulsification: Emulsion

Data Source

PatentUS20250312276A1Oil-in-water emulsion comprising a semiochemical composition, suitable for administration in the form of a milk
Publication Date: 2025.10.09 SIGNS

AI summary

The invention relates to the field of semiochemical products, and describes in particular a composition in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion comprising an aqueous phase and an oily phase comprising a semiochemical composition, particularly suitable for being administered in particular in the form of a milk, as well as its preparation process. The invention also relates to the non-therapeutic use of the composition according to the invention for topical, in particular cutaneous, administration to an animal or human.