Vanilla Microcapsules with Polymeric Shell for High Loading Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The perfume industry faces challenges with the rapid loss of olfactive benefits due to volatility and instability of fragrance ingredients, particularly vanillin and ethyl vanillin, which decompose quickly in consumer product bases and are difficult to encapsulate at high loadings without permeable shells, leading to diffusion issues.

Innovation Solution

Microcapsules with a core comprising high loadings of a compound of formula (I), where R groups are hydrogen or methyl, surrounded by a polymeric shell, allowing for controlled permeability and stable delivery of a vanilla odor note, enabling higher loadings than vanillin or ethyl vanillin without leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vanillin or ethyl vanillin are encapsulated in classical microcapsules, then protection from degradation is improved, but loading capacity deteriorates due to diffusion through the shell

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of fragrance ingredientVSAvoidloading capacity of perfuming compound

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter by substituting vanillin or ethyl vanillin with compound (I) having different molecular structure (2-methoxy-4-methylphenyl methyl carbonate or similar), which exhibits lower tendency to diffuse through the microcapsule shell while maintaining vanilla odor properties, thereby achieving both high loading capacity and stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses compound (I) as a molecular copy or analog of vanillin that replicates the desired vanilla odor function but with improved encapsulation properties, allowing high loading without leakage while maintaining the same sensory effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If permeable shells are used to allow fragrance release, then odor delivery is improved, but loss of substance worsens due to premature diffusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveodor delivery efficiencyVSAvoidpremature diffusion of perfuming compound

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical identity parameter from vanillin to compound (I), which has different interaction properties with the shell material, resulting in reduced diffusion rate through permeable shells and delayed release profile that prevents premature loss while maintaining effective odor delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If high loadings of vanillin or ethyl vanillin are attempted, then odor intensity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to uncontrolled diffusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveodor intensityVSAvoidcontrol of final amount inside capsule

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes vanillin with compound (I) during the encapsulation process, enabling high loadings to be incorporated with controlled retention since compound (I) does not diffuse through the shell as readily, thereby achieving both high odor intensity and precise control of internal concentration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If vanillin or ethyl vanillin are used in consumer product bases, then vanilla note is improved, but stability deteriorates due to rapid decomposition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevanilla odor note qualityVSAvoidchemical stability in consumer product base

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces vanillin with compound (I) as a stable analog that replicates the vanilla odor function but resists decomposition in consumer product bases, maintaining both the desired sensory quality and chemical stability over time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameter from vanillin to compound (I), which has enhanced stability properties in challenging consumer product environments while preserving the vanilla odor characteristic, thereby resolving the stability-quality trade-off

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 microcapsules provide a superior, long-lasting vanilla odor intensity and stability, overcoming the limitations of traditional encapsulation methods by maintaining high loadings of the perfuming compound within the capsule, even in challenging mediums.

Implementation Method 1

a polymeric shell surrounding said core; characterized in that the compound of formula (I) is present in an amount comprised between 10% and 30% by weight, relative to the total weight of the microcapsule

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeability: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS10260022B2Microcapsules imparting intense vanilla odor note

Publication Date: 2019.04.16 FIRMENICH SA

AI summary

The present invention relates to microcapsules delivering long lasting and intense vanilla-based odor note. More particularly, the present invention concerns a microcapsule comprising between 10% and 30% by weight, relative to the total weight of the microcapsule, of a particular perfuming ingredient imparting a vanilla-based odor note, which can be used in perfuming compositions and perfuming consumer products.