Sorbitan Monocaprylate Synergy in Cosmetic Formulations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cosmetic, dermatological, and pharmaceutical formulations face challenges with the use of antimicrobial alcohols, as they can reduce viscosity and cause phase separation, and their maximum permissible concentrations may not adequately protect against microbial attacks while being dermatologically and toxicologically harmless.
Innovation Solution
The use of sorbitan monocaprylate, which is dermatologically and toxicologically harmless, synergistically enhances the antimicrobial effect of antimicrobial alcohols, maintaining formulation viscosity and allowing higher concentrations without phase separation, thereby reducing the required amount of antimicrobial alcohols needed for effective preservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antimicrobial alcohols are used in higher concentrations to protect against microbial attack, then the antimicrobial effect is improved, but the viscosity of the formulation is reduced and phase separations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sorbitan monocaprylate as an intermediary substance that mediates between the antimicrobial alcohol and the formulation system. This emulsifying agent allows higher alcohol concentrations to be used without causing viscosity reduction or phase separation, as it stabilizes the formulation structure while permitting the antimicrobial component to function at effective levels.
2Reliability
If the concentration of antimicrobial alcohols is increased beyond maximum permissible limits, then the antimicrobial effect is enhanced, but dermatological and toxicological safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the formulation parameters by introducing sorbitan monocaprylate, which enables the system to use alcohol concentrations that are optimally effective for antimicrobial protection without exceeding the maximum permissible limits for safety. The emulsifying agent alters the physical-chemical parameters of the formulation, allowing sustained alcohol presence at safe yet effective concentrations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If maximum permissible concentrations of alcohols are used to ensure safety, then dermatological and toxicological safety is maintained, but adequate protection against microbial attack is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
Sorbitan monocaprylate acts as a synergistic intermediary that enhances the antimicrobial effectiveness of the alcohol at safe concentrations. The emulsifying agent modifies the microenvironment or interaction dynamics, allowing the alcohol to exhibit improved antimicrobial activity at concentrations that remain within safety limits, thus achieving both protection and safety simultaneously.
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
Sorbitan monocaprylate supports the antimicrobial effect of alcohols, allowing for reduced alcohol concentrations in formulations, maintaining viscosity, and preventing phase separation, thus effectively preserving cosmetic, dermatological, and pharmaceutical products while ensuring safety and efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
sorbitan monocaprylate synergistically supports the antimicrobial effect of antimicrobial alcohols
Implementation Method 2
sorbitan monocaprylate does not reduce the viscosity of a cosmetic, dermatological or pharmaceutical formulation, but on the contrary even has slightly thickening properties
Implementation Method 3
significantly higher amounts of sorbitan monocaprylate can be used without reducing the viscosity of the cosmetic, dermatological or pharmaceutical formulation or promoting phase separation
Implementation Method 4
sorbitan monocaprylate, which is already known and used in cosmetics as a surfactant and emulsifying agent
Implementation Method 5
sorbitan monocaprylate, which is already known and used in cosmetics as a surfactant and emulsifying agent
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to liquid compositions which contain a) from 5 to 95% by weight of sorbitan monocaprylate and b) from 5 to 95% by weight of one or more alcohols of formula (1) R−OH (1), wherein R is a group consisting of carbon, hydrogen and optionally oxygen atoms with 5 to 12, preferably 6 to 11, carbon atoms, and the carbon atoms can be interlinked in a linear, branched and/or cyclic fashion via saturated, unsaturated and/or aromatic carbon-carbon bonds and the groups can also contain ether units and hydrogen atoms and/or hydroxyl groups can be bound to the individual carbon atoms. The liquid compositions are suitable for the production of cosmetic, dermatological or pharmaceutical products.