Vitamin A Formulation Carnosic Acid Antioxidant

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional antioxidants like BHT used in pharmaceutical and animal nutrition applications are toxic and suspected of being endocrine disruptors, while natural alternatives are sought to provide effective protection against oxidation of hydrophobic vitamins such as vitamin A, which are sensitive to oxidation and degradation.

Innovation Solution

A mixture of carnosic acid and carnosol, with carnosic acid content ranging from 50-98% by weight, is used as a natural antioxidant agent, potentially combined with other antioxidants, to provide enhanced protection against oxidation, particularly in formulations with vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin D3, and can be incorporated in edible oils or extracts from plants like rosemary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional synthetic antioxidants like BHT are used to protect vitamin A from oxidation, then antioxidant effectiveness is improved, but toxicity and endocrine disruption risks worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantioxidant effectivenessVSAvoidtoxicity and endocrine disruption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing synthetic antioxidants (BHT, BHA) with natural antioxidants (tocopherols, carnosic acid, rosemary extract) while maintaining the required antioxidant effectiveness through optimized concentration ranges and combinations of natural compounds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses natural antioxidants that are biodegradable and non-toxic, replacing persistent synthetic compounds with naturally occurring substances that break down harmlessly, effectively using 'disposable' natural compounds instead of long-lasting synthetic ones

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If natural antioxidants are used to replace synthetic antioxidants, then safety and natural origin are improved, but antioxidant power may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety and natural originVSAvoidantioxidant power
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple natural antioxidants (tocopherols, carnosic acid, rosemary extract, ascorbyl palmitate) in specific ratios to achieve synergistic effects, where the combination of natural compounds produces antioxidant power equal to or greater than synthetic alternatives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite antioxidant system using multiple natural compounds with different mechanisms of action, forming a composite material that provides comprehensive protection against oxidation through the combined effects of various natural antioxidants

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If vitamin A is protected from oxidation during storage and use, then stability is improved, but complexity of formulation worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevitamin A stabilityVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces antioxidant compounds as intermediary substances that mediate between vitamin A and oxidizing agents, protecting vitamin A from direct contact with oxygen and other oxidants while maintaining formulation simplicity through the use of well-established natural compounds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 mixture of carnosic acid and carnosol demonstrates antioxidant power similar to or exceeding that of BHT, offering higher protection against oxidation at lower concentrations and additional chelating capabilities, making it a suitable replacement for conventional synthetic antioxidants.

Implementation Method 1

the antioxidant activity of different rosemary leaf extracts is determined... rosmanol and carnosol have the highest antioxidant power... carnosic acid and carnosol as an antioxidant with respect to membrane lipids

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAntioxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

additional chelating capabilities

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChelation:

Data Source

PatentEP4161285B1Vitamin a formulation
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 ADISSEO FRANCE SAS

AI summary

The invention relates to a combination of at least vitamin A and an antioxidant comprising or consisting of a mixture of carnosic acid and carnosol, the carnosic acid content of said antioxidant being 50-98 wt % relative to the weight of said antioxidant. The invention also relates to a formulation containing such a combination and to the use of this combination.