Plant-Derived Capsule Shell Using Starch and Locust Bean Gum
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for carrageenan in capsule shell compositions has led to concerns over resource depletion and rising costs, necessitating the development of a plant-derived gelling agent substitute for gelatin and carrageenan-based capsule shells.
Innovation Solution
A shell composition using a plant-derived water-insoluble powder, such as starch, combined with a plant-derived water-soluble polymer and gelling agents like locust bean gum or xanthane gum, which can be gelatinized to produce a capsule shell with desired properties such as shapability, strength, transparency, adhesiveness, and gas barrier properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If carrageenan is used as a gelling agent in capsule shell composition, then good film-forming performance and gel strength are achieved, but resource depletion and rising costs occur due to increased global demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, scarce carrageenan with cheaper, more abundant plant-derived alternatives such as starch, dextrin, and locust bean gum. These substitute materials provide sufficient gel strength for capsule shell applications without the resource depletion issues associated with carrageenan, effectively using more accessible materials to achieve the required functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the gelling agent by transitioning from carrageenan to plant-derived polymers with different molecular structures. By adjusting the types and ratios of starch, dextrin, and locust bean gum, the formulation achieves comparable gel strength and film-forming properties while avoiding the scarcity issues of carrageenan.
2Strength
If gelatin is used as a base material for capsule shells, then satisfactory capsule shapability and strength are achieved, but religious and allergy concerns arise due to animal-derived origin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces animal-derived gelatin with plant-derived materials such as starch and locust bean gum. These plant-based alternatives eliminate the religious and allergy concerns associated with gelatin while maintaining the necessary mechanical strength and capsule-forming capabilities through optimized formulation and processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite formulations combining multiple plant-derived components (starch, dextrin, locust bean gum) to achieve the mechanical properties previously obtained from单一 animal-derived gelatin. The synergistic interaction among these plant-based materials provides comparable strength and elasticity without the harmful factors associated with gelatin.
3Quantity of substance
If plant-derived materials are used to replace gelatin and carrageenan, then sustainability and cost-effectiveness are improved, but achieving satisfactory film-forming performance and gel strength becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite formulations combining starch, dextrin, and locust bean gum to achieve film-forming performance and gel strength comparable to conventional gelatin and carrageenan-based shells. The synergistic interaction among these plant-based materials compensates for the individual limitations of each component, ensuring reliable capsule shell performance while maintaining sustainability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight distribution, ratio, and processing parameters of plant-derived materials to achieve satisfactory film-forming performance. By carefully controlling the characteristics of starch and dextrin and their interaction with locust bean gum, the formulation attains the necessary mechanical properties and film quality for capsule applications.
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
This solution allows for the production of a capsule shell that can replace conventional gelatin or carrageenan shells without using these materials, ensuring a sustainable and cost-effective alternative with satisfactory performance.
Implementation Method 1
when a plant-derived water-insoluble powder, e.g., starch, and a plant-derived water-soluble polymer, e.g., a starch decomposition product, are used as base materials and are gelatinized using locust bean gum or xanthane gum
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a shell composition that is formed with a water-insoluble powder such as starch and/or a water-soluble polymer such as dextrin as a base component, and with locust bean gum and/or xanthan gum as a gelling agent. This shell composition enables a novel shell composition which can favorably form a shell without using carrageenan, has favorable properties that enable the shell composition to substitute traditional shells that use a gelatin shell or carrageenan, and comprises a plant-derived base.