Patent Picks—Renewable Polyphenols, Eco-friendly Gellants, Nano Silver Particles and More

By: Rachel L. Grabenhofer

Posted: July 24, 2012

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Polycationic viscoelastic compositions
US Patent 8222455
Publication date: July 17, 2012
Assignee: Stepan Co.

According to this invention, there is a need for viscoelastic gellants that can provide all or most of the advantages of conventional non-polymeric gellants, and that: 1) can provide viscoelastic properties at higher temperatures, 2) are more eco-friendly, and/or 3) are more cost effective. The described technology addresses these needs. The viscoelastic compositions disclosed herein contain an effective amount of one or more random or structurally defined polycationic quaternary ammonium compounds that, for example, comprise bis-quaternary compounds that are symmetric or asymmetric and have utility as an additive in cosmetics applications, such as for hair conditioners, skin lotions, etc.

Chitin-chitosan block co-polymers
WIPO Patent Application WO/2012/080772
Publication date: June 21, 2012
Assignees: Universite Claude Bernard Lyon I, Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana, Institut National Des Sciences Appliquees De Lyon, Universite Jean Monnet, Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique, D Laurent, K Shirai Matsumoto, S Trombotto and N Aracely Pacheco Lopez

According to this patent, chitosan offers potential in a variety of applications including cosmetics, nutraceutics and food conservation. This polymer is biodegradable, bioresorbable, biocompatible and non-toxic, and it is widely used in pharmaceutical applications as an excipient, for drug delivery applications, and as an active principle, i.e., fungistatic, bacteriostatic, wound healing agent and devices. Described herein is a chitosan presenting a degree of N-acetylation ranging from 5% to 45%, wherein its X-ray powder diffractogram shows at least one characteristic peak of a crystalline form of chitin.

Biodegradable polymer film comprising polyvinyl alcohol and cellulose polymer
European Patent Application EP2463328
Publication date: June 13, 2012
Assignee: Phyto World Co., Ltd.