In Situ Zinc Citrate Preparation for Oral Care
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available zinc citrate is poorly soluble in water, leading to inconsistent concentrations in oral care compositions and higher costs compared to other zinc salts and citric acid, necessitating a method to increase solubilized zinc citrate concentration while maintaining consistency over time and reducing costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the addition of zinc oxide to a citric acid solution in a solvent, followed by agitation to form a clear solution, with a molar ratio of zinc oxide to citric acid at 3:2, which forms zinc citrate in situ, allowing for higher concentrations of solubilized zinc citrate and improved bioavailability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If commercially available zinc citrate is used in oral care compositions, then zinc citrate can be provided in the composition, but the solubility is poor and concentration varies over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters by controlling pH within 2.0-4.0 and temperature at 15-50°C during preparation, and by adjusting the molar ratio of zinc oxide to citric acid (1:1.33 to 1:2.66), thereby improving the solubility and stability of zinc citrate in the oral care composition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses citric acid as an intermediary substance that reacts with zinc oxide to form zinc citrate in situ, rather than directly adding commercially available zinc citrate. This intermediary approach ensures consistent concentration and improved solubility
2Reliability
If commercially available zinc citrate is used, then zinc citrate is provided in the composition, but the cost is higher compared to other zinc salts and citric acid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive commercially available zinc citrate with cheaper raw materials (zinc oxide and citric acid) that can be readily obtained and processed, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining product quality
Solution Approach 2:
By optimizing preparation parameters (pH 2.0-4.0, temperature 15-50°C, molar ratio 1:1.33 to 1:2.66), the patent ensures consistent quality output from the reaction process, making the cheaper raw materials produce reliable zinc citrate-containing compositions
3Quantity of substance
If the concentration of solubilized zinc citrate is increased, then better oral care effects are achieved, but the solubility limitations of commercial zinc citrate prevent this
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves higher concentrations of solubilized zinc citrate by controlling pH (2.0-4.0), temperature (15-50°C), and molar ratio (1:1.33 to 1:2.66), which simultaneously maintains stability over time through optimized reaction conditions
Solution Approach 2:
By using citric acid as an intermediary to generate zinc citrate in situ rather than adding commercial zinc citrate, the patent achieves both higher solubilized concentrations and improved temporal stability
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 method achieves higher concentrations of solubilized zinc citrate, ensuring consistent levels over time, improving bioavailability and reducing costs, thus enhancing product quality control and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
adding zinc oxide to a solution of citric acid in a solvent to form a suspension; agitating the suspension until a clear solution is obtained; wherein the molar ratio of zinc oxide to citric acid is about 3:2; the zinc citrate is formed in situ during the method
Implementation Method 2
agitating the suspension until a clear solution is obtained
Data Source
AI summary
A method of preparing a zinc citrate-containing oral care composition, the method comprising: (a) adding zinc oxide to a solution of citric acid in a solvent to form a suspension; (b) agitating the suspension until a clear solution is obtained; and (c) adding an additional oral care ingredient to the solution obtained in (b). Also, a method of preparing a zinc citrate-containing oral care composition, the method comprising: (a) adding citric acid to a suspension of zinc oxide in a solvent; (b) agitating the suspension until a clear solution is obtained; and (c) adding an additional oral care ingredient to the solution obtained in (b). In both methods, steps (a) and (b) are carried out at a temperature of from 10° C. to 50° C. and the molar ratio of zinc oxide to citric acid in step (a) is about 3:2.