White Curcumin Hydrogenation and Cyclodextrin Encapsulation

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for synthesizing white curcumin from curcuminoids result in low bioavailability due to poor solubility and involve complex, costly processes with reduced purity, often using toxic solvents and multiple filtration steps.

Innovation Solution

A process involving catalytic hydrogenation of pure curcuminoids from Curcuma longa using a metallic catalyst like palladium carbon, followed by crystallization and encapsulation with beta-cyclodextrin to enhance solubility and bioavailability, simplifying the purification steps and avoiding toxic solvents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional chemical synthesis methods are used to increase solubility and bioavailability of curcuminoids, then solubility is improved, but the process becomes complex and purity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesolubilityVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical structure parameters of curcuminoids by reducing conjugated double bonds through hydrogenation, transforming yellow curcuminoids into colorless tetrahydrocurcuminoids with improved solubility and bioavailability while maintaining a simple one-step process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and removes the conjugated double bond structure from curcuminoids through selective hydrogenation, eliminating the source of poor solubility while preserving the core curcuminoid structure and biological activity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple washing and filtration steps are used in conventional methods, then purity is improved, but process cost increases and complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovepurityVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the conjugated double bond structure from curcuminoids through selective hydrogenation, eliminating the source of poor solubility while preserving the core curcuminoid structure and biological activity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical structure parameters of curcuminoids by reducing conjugated double bonds through hydrogenation, transforming yellow curcuminoids into colorless tetrahydrocurcuminoids with improved solubility and bioavailability while maintaining a simple one-step process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional synthesis methods are used, then white curcumin is produced, but bioavailability remains low due to poor solubility

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovepurityVSAvoidbioavailability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical structure parameters of curcuminoids by reducing conjugated double bonds through hydrogenation, transforming yellow curcuminoids into colorless tetrahydrocurcuminoids with improved solubility and bioavailability while maintaining a simple one-step process

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 process yields high-purity white curcumin with increased bioavailability and solubility, exhibiting strong antioxidant and chemopreventive properties, suitable for food and cosmetic applications with improved heat stability.

Implementation Method 1

catalytic hydrogenation of pure curcuminoids obtained from Curcuma longa

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalytic hydrogenation: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

saturating two olefinic bonds in a mixture of curcuminoids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogenation: Hydrogenation

Implementation Method 3

encapsulation with beta-cyclodextrin to enhance solubility and bioavailability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEncapsulation: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 4

followed by crystallization and encapsulation with beta-cyclodextrin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrystallization: Crystallisation

Data Source

PatentEP3233068B1A process for preparation of bioavailable white curcumin - a unique blend of hydrogenated curcuminoids

Publication Date: 2021.06.16 PLANT LIPIDS

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AI summary

The present invention discloses a process for preparation of white curcumin from purified curcuminoids. The curcuminoids are obtained by solvent extraction and crystallization of dried turmeric powder. The autoclave is charged with ethyl acetate and the 95% purity curcuminoids mixture is added to and stirred for uniformity at room temperature. 5% (w/w) of 10% palladium carbon is added to the reaction mixture and allowed for hydrogenation in the presence of hydrogen gas at 2 lbps pressure and stirred continuously for 15 hours. Once the reaction is completed, the reaction mixture is filtered and washed with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate is distilled off and crude mass is stirred with water to obtain a solid precipitate. Finally, the solid obtained is filtered and dried to pale brown crystals of white curcumin. White curcumin is encapsulated with beta- cyclodextrin, which exhibited increased bioavailability. White curcumin also exhibited anti-oxidant and chemopreventive activities.