Silicon Supplement Formulation Using Soluble Salts and Organic Acids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current silicon supplements, particularly those derived from silica gels/sols, pulverized quartz, or silica from plant material, are not bioavailable due to low solubility and often come in caustic forms, posing dosing errors and safety risks, while existing bioavailable forms like quaternary ammonium compounds are not user-friendly.
Innovation Solution
Combining Group Ia silicon salts, such as sodium or potassium silicate, with C1 to C6 hydroxy carboxylic acids and a solubilizing agent like tetraalkylammonium hydroxide to create a bioavailable, pH-neutral, and easily controllable solid supplement, which can be derived from biogenic sources like rice or diatomaceous earth, enhancing bioavailability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If silica gels/sols, pulverised quartz or plant-derived silica are used as silicon supplements, then the supplement is stable and easy to manufacture, but the bioavailability is low due to low solubility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of silicon supplements by using water-soluble silicon salts (sodium silicate, potassium silicate, calcium silicate) instead of traditional insoluble silica forms. This parameter change transforms the solubility characteristic, enabling high bioavailability while maintaining stability through the specific chemical composition and pH control (5.0-9.0) of the supplement formulation.
2Quantity of substance
If quaternary ammonium compounds are used to stabilize soluble silicon solutions, then high levels of bio-available silicon are provided, but the solution becomes caustic causing dosing errors and safety accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful caustic components (quaternary ammonium compounds and excessive alkali) from the silicon supplement formulation. Instead, it uses water-soluble silicon salts buffered to a safe pH range (5.0-9.0), maintaining high bioavailability through the soluble silicon salt form while removing the safety hazards associated with caustic solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful caustic silicon solutions into beneficial safe formulations by controlling the pH to be neutral or slightly acidic/basic (5.0-9.0). The silicon salts that would normally be caustic are now presented in a buffered, safe form that maintains solubility and bioavailability while eliminating the harmful effects, turning a dangerous substance into a safe supplement.
3Ease of manufacture
If potassium silicate or sodium silicate is used as silicon source, then readily available materials are used, but the solution is caustic and not user friendly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter of commercially available silicon salts (potassium silicate, sodium silicate) from their naturally caustic state to a safe, user-friendly range (pH 5.0-9.0). This is achieved through buffering with organic acids or carbonates, making the materials both easily manufacturable from available sources and safe for consumer use while maintaining high silicon bioavailability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If silica from plant material is used, then natural source is provided, but the solubility is low resulting in poor bioavailability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical form parameter from insoluble plant-derived silica to water-soluble silicon salts (sodium silicate, potassium silicate, calcium silicate). This parameter transformation maintains the natural origin appeal while dramatically improving solubility and bioavailability, as the silicon salts dissolve readily in water to provide bioavailable silicon in the pH 5.0-9.0 range.
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 solution provides a highly bioavailable silicon source with predictable dosing and improved safety, maintaining 60-80% bioactivity at intended concentrations, and is suitable for animal feeds and human consumption, ensuring effective bone and connective tissue support.
Implementation Method 1
sodium silicate or potassium silicate (or sodium metasilicate or potassium metasilicate), may also be advantageously buffered with a C1 to C6 hydroxy carboxylic acid
Implementation Method 2
allows the pH of the supplement if dissolved to be controlled, for example to a substantially neutral pH
Implementation Method 3
Combining Group Ia silicon salts, such as sodium or potassium silicate, with C1 to C6 hydroxy carboxylic acids and a solubilizing agent like tetraalkylammonium hydroxide to create a bioavailable
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to food supplements comprising silica a quaternary ammonium compound or a group Ia hydroxide and an organic acid, and to those comprising a group Ia silicon salt and an organic acid, to methods of making such supplements and to foods containing them.