Softgel Capsule Composition Using Ascorbate Salts Against Brittleness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Softgel capsules, particularly those containing multivitamins and minerals, are prone to brittleness due to the interaction of Ascorbic acid with other components in the fill formulation, leading to weakened shell integrity.

Innovation Solution

Replace Ascorbic acid with Calcium ascorbate or Magnesium ascorbate as the source of Vitamin C in the softgel capsule formulation to minimize interactions and enhance shell stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Ascorbic acid is used as the source of Vitamin C in softgel capsule formulation, then the capsule provides effective Vitamin C supplementation, but the capsule shell becomes brittle and loses mechanical strength

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveVitamin C supplementation efficacyVSAvoidcapsule shell mechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical form of Vitamin C from Ascorbic acid to Ascorbate salts (calcium ascorbate, magnesium ascorbate, potassium ascorbate, or sodium ascorbate). This parameter change in the chemical state of Vitamin C eliminates the interaction that causes shell brittleness while maintaining Vitamin C supplementation efficacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If Ascorbic acid is included in the fill formulation, then the capsule delivers effective Vitamin C, but the shell integrity is weakened due to interactions with other components

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveVitamin C delivery efficacyVSAvoidshell integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical form of Vitamin C from Ascorbic acid to Ascorbate salts, which changes the chemical properties and eliminates harmful interactions with other fill components, thereby maintaining shell integrity while preserving Vitamin C delivery efficacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the capsule is dried to reduce moisture content, then the capsule shelf life is extended, but the capsule becomes overly brittle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapsule shelf lifeVSAvoidcapsule shell flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful interaction between Ascorbic acid and shell components into a beneficial situation by replacing Ascorbic acid with Ascorbate salts. This allows the capsule to undergo standard drying processes (reducing moisture from 35-40% to 10-15%) without developing excessive brittleness, thereby extending shelf life while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP3972568B1Vitamin and mineral softgel capsule preparations comprising vitamin c in the form of an ascorbate salt

Publication Date: 2025.12.03 BAYER CONSUMER CARE AG

Figure 1A~1F

AI summary

The present invention provides a composition, preferably a dietary or pharmaceutical composition, comprising or consisting of vitamin(s) (a), and optionally minerals (b), and a pharmaceutically or dietetically suitable carrier such as nutrients DHA and/or EPA (c), encapsulated in a soft gelatine such as a bovine, porcine, vegetable and succinylated gelatine shell, wherein the vitamin(s) include Vitamin C and said Vitamin C is, at least in part, in the form of an ascorbate salt such as, but not limited to, Calcium ascorbate or any other divalent cation salt such as Magnesium ascorbate.